What is a Double Centrifuge System for PRP and What are the Benefits?
Q: What is a double centrifuge system for PRP and what are the benefits? — S.B. ~ Manhattan, N.Y.
A: The double centrifuge system is a process used in preparing Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) where the whole blood is spun two times to optimize the concentration of the platelets. In the first spin, the red blood cells are separated from the plasma, which contains the platelets. In the second spin, the cellular components in the plasma are further concentrated. The platelets and growth factors that are recovered from the plasma are then injected into the scalp. Additional growth factors are released from the platelets after the injections and it is these proteins that provide the benefit of helping to maintain the hair and to stimulate growth. By using a double centrifuge technique, the ideal concentration of platelets and growth factors are achieved.
Posted by Updated 2018-07-03Is PRP Safe for Older People with Hair Loss?
Q: I am a 65 year old female who has recently experienced thinning hair and I’ve heard of PRP treatments. Is PRP safe and does it work for older people?
A: PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is safe for persons of any age, although we don’t administer it to pregnant women and those under 18. It can be helpful as long as the person has enough miniaturized hair for it to work on. It will not work on a totally bald area of the scalp.
PRP for Hair Loss
FAQ about PRP Treatment
How are PRP Treatments Different at Bernstein Medical?
Q: How are PRP treatments for hair loss different at Bernstein Medical? — Huntington, N.Y.
A: There are three reasons Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments are different at Bernstein Medical from other facilities. First, we use the Emcyte Pure PRP System, the most sophisticated system for the preparation of Platelet Rich Plasma. Second, by using a double centrifuge technique, we generate the optimal concentration of growth factors in PRP. Third, and most important, we have the knowledge to know when PRP is appropriate and the skill to inject the proper quantity of PRP at just the right depth to achieve the desired result — a skill that cannot be overstated.
Posted by Updated 2020-10-21Can I Have PRP During a Hair Transplant?
Q: Do you administer PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) during a hair transplant? — R.W., Manhattan, NY
A: The wounds created in the hair transplant procedure (recipient site creation) promote blood platelet migration and the activation of growth factors making PRP therapy unnecessary for the actual surgery. That said, doctors may wish to use PRP for areas of the scalp that are thinning, but were not addressed by the hair transplant. An example might be using PRP for the crown if the doctor only transplanted hair to the front part of the scalp.
Posted by Updated 2017-10-17What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and How Does It Promote Hair Growth?
Q: I’ve heard a lot about platelet-rich plasma (PRP). What is platelet-rich plasma, and how does it promote hair growth?
A: Blood plasma holds the blood cells in a liquid suspension. Blood plasma makes up about 55% of the body’s total blood volume. There are three basic types of blood cells: red blood cells (that carry oxygen), white blood cells (that have immune functions to help fight infection) and platelets (that facilitate coagulation, wound healing and repair).
Posted by Updated 2017-10-17Which Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) System Do You Use?
Q:I have seen some talk about different forms of platelet rich plasma (PRP). Which is the best system for preparing PRP for hair loss? Which are you using?
A: We use the Emcyte Pure PRP system. It is a double centrifuge system that I think is the best.
Posted by Updated 2016-05-06Can I Have Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy Instead of Hair Transplant Surgery?
Q: It was recommended by the doctor that I have a hair transplant. Could I do platelet rich plasma (PRP) instead?
A: PRP will generally be inadequate for patients who are candidates for a hair transplant. PRP works to reverse (thinning hair) as do other medical treatments (Propecia, Rogaine, LLLT). Unfortunately, medical treatments do not grow hair back once it has been lost.
Posted by Updated 2016-05-06Does Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy For Hair Loss Involve Surgery?
Q: How is platelet rich plasma therapy for hair loss performed? Does it involve surgery?
A: Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy for hair loss is performed during a simple office visit, takes about 30-45 minutes, and does NOT involve surgery.
Posted by Updated 2016-05-06Are There Any Side Effects or Safety Concerns in Using PRP to Treat Hair Loss?
Q: I’ve heard about using platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy to treat hair loss. Are there any potential serious side effects that I should be aware of?
A: PRP is a therapy that has been used since 1987 to help promote the healing of hard tissue (bone, joints) and soft tissue (skin). To date, there have been no reported major side effects.
Posted by Updated 2017-10-17How Does Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treat Androgenic Alopecia?
Q: How does PRP therapy for hair loss work?
A: In theory, platelet rich plasma (PRP) stimulates the growth of hair follicles by reversing the hair miniaturization (thinning hair) process seen in androgenic alopecia (common baldness).
While it is not exactly known how PRP reverses miniaturization, researchers do have a few ideas. First, PRP may counteract miniaturization by prolonging the growth (anagen) phase of hair follicle. Second, PRP has been observed to increase the number of stem cells in hair follicles. This is known to help protect a hair follicle from apoptosis, a natural process of programmed cell death. Researchers think that this anti-apoptotic effect could stimulate new hair growth. Finally, PRP treatment has been observed to promote growth of new blood vessels around treated hair follicles. Researchers have suggested that this could also stimulate new hair growth.
In sum, a number of factors may come into play to effect new hair growth during treatment with platelet rich plasma. Research is ongoing to further clarify the specific mechanisms involved.
Posted by Updated 2017-10-17Is There Any Research on Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) As A Hair Loss Treatment?
Q: I have read conflicting reports on the use of PRP to treat hair loss. What is your assessment? Are there any research publications that suggest it does work?
A: Two recent studies published in 2014 have presented preliminary evidence that platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy may stop or reverse genetic hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in both males and females.
The first study, published in the medical journal Dermatologic Surgery, found at least some improvement in male and female patients with androgenetic alopecia. This study concluded that 47% of those patients experienced at least moderate to very good improvement, 1 a level that the researchers defined as “clinically important.” Because this was just a pilot study without a control group, the authors could not reliably claim that PRP was effective in treating hair loss.
A second study, published in the journal BioMed Research International2, concluded that treatments of platelet-rich plasma stimulated hair growth in men with pattern hair loss. In this clinical study, the researchers found a statistically significant increase in both hair density and terminal hairs.
While more comprehensive testing need to be done, these studies provide preliminary evidence that platelet rich plasma therapy may stimulate hair growth in patients with male or female pattern baldness.
Posted by Updated 2017-10-17Browse Hair Restoration Answers by topic:
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