PRP treatment is a highly effective method that involves using the patient’s blood to address hair loss and cosmetic issues related to aging. At Westover Hills Dermatology in San Antonio, TX, we offer PRP sessions to anyone who would like to look and feel refreshed. Because the method is minimally invasive and safe, it’s suitable for almost every patient.
What Issues Can You Address With PRP Treatment?
When PRP therapy first became available, it was used to treat injured athletes. The active ingredient, PRP, comes from the patient’s blood, and it contains platelets that stimulate and speed up healing. When injected into the joints, PRP rejuvenates the damaged tissue, so the athlete can return to their sport more quickly.
Fortunately, PRP is now no longer reserved for elite athletes. It is available to a wide range of patients who have cosmetic or dermatological concerns. The injections are particularly effective at addressing hair loss and the negative effects of aging.
Hair Loss
Most men and around 50% of women experience hair loss at some point. While men often develop bald patches, women’s hair starts thinning after menopause. PRP therapy is an excellent solution because the platelets encourage the hair follicles to become more active. The treatment is effective for one to two years at a time, so patients won’t need to spend much time at the clinic.
When you first start hair loss treatment, you might need three to six sessions, each one month apart. This is because not all hair follicles are active at the same time. We’ll start by numbing your scalp and marking the injection sites. At the same time, we’ll draw your blood and spin it in a centrifuge to extract the PRP substance. After your injections, you can go straight home and resume your regular activities.
The Negative Effects of Aging
Sometimes, PRP is also used to treat the visible effects of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin. The PRP substance is injected into the face, where it stimulates the breakdown of old skin cells and encourages the body to produce healthy cells.
Patients might need several PRP appointments, but the results last for up to a year at a time. PRP sessions are often combined with microneedling, the use of high-quality skincare products, chemical peels, and dermal fillers.
How Does PRP Work?
The PRP substance contains a very high concentration of platelets. When injected into the scalp or the face, these small blood cells send out growth factors that speed up the production of new cells. The treatment is minimally invasive and completely natural, so there is very little risk of an allergic reaction. We are simply supporting a process that already occurs in the body.
What Does PRP Therapy Feel Like?
Most PRP Treatment appointments only take 20-40 minutes. Because the scalp or face is numbed at the beginning of the session, you won’t feel pain when we inject the active ingredient. If you’ve never been treated before, you might want to take the rest of the day off to recover. However, patients who have already had several PRP injections often see us during their lunch break and go straight back to work after the appointment.
Is Treatment Permanent?
Treatment is only permanent if the underlying condition that is causing your hair loss has been resolved. You might not need to return to the clinic if your problem was related to stress, and you’ve now improved your lifestyle.
Patients who have cosmetic concerns related to aging need to be treated at least once a year. Those who lead a healthy lifestyle require fewer sessions than those who eat unhealthy foods, fail to get enough sleep and expose their skin to lots of UV radiation. The maintenance appointments only take a few minutes, so they are compatible with a busy lifestyle.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You’re a good candidate for PRP if you’re worried about hair loss or the visible effects of aging. The earlier you come to the clinic, the better this method works. If you’ve already lost most of your hair, it’s unlikely that PRP will be very effective. You’re only eligible if you still have some hair left in the treatment area because this shows that your hair follicles are still active. Bring all your medical records and information about your allergies to the clinic.
Although PRP is safe for almost everyone, we have to make sure that you don’t have a serious medical condition that prevents you from taking part. If you’re pregnant, you have to postpone your session. It’s important to remember that some women experience hair loss during pregnancy, but this condition is often temporary. Reach out to us if your hair hasn’t grown back several months after you’ve given birth.
Enhance Your Appearance with PRP
PRP injections could be right for you if you have hair loss or age-related cosmetic issues. Because the treatment is so gentle, you are likely to be a good candidate even if you have a mild or moderate medical condition. Give us a call at Westover Hills Dermatology in San Antonio, TX to find out more. We’ll analyze your dermatological issue and let you know whether PRP treatment is the best solution.
