Is PRP really effective against alopecia? Yes, but not in all cases of alopecia and provided that the hair follicles are still active.
Hair loss today affects both men and women, sometimes as early as 20 years old, for hormonal, emotional, or genetic reasons.
Faced with this situation, many people turn to PRP hair treatment. But is it really effective for patients with alopecia? And most importantly, for what types of alopecia is PRP most effective? We will answer your questions immediately.
What is PRP for hair?
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is a procedure that uses your own blood to boost hair growth and awaken dormant follicles.
How is the treatment performed? After a simple blood draw, the plasma is extracted and then reinjected into the areas affected by hair loss.
The platelets contained in the plasma are rich in growth factors, which, once reinjected, strengthen weakened follicles, awaken follicle stem cells, and activate microcirculation around the bulb, thereby helping to restart the hair growth cycle, increase the thickness of existing hair, and slow down hair loss.
What are the most common forms of alopecia?
Alopecia is a partial or total form of hair loss and can be reversible or permanent, depending on the type of alopecia. It can take different forms: well-defined areas, thinning hair, patchy loss, etc.
To discover your type of alopecia, it is important to get a medical diagnosis to understand the cause of the hair loss and to know if PRP is suitable for your case.
Here are the three most common forms of alopecia:
Androgenetic Alopecia (hormonal and genetic cause)
Its characteristics:
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It affects both women and men and is the most common form.
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It is caused by an increased sensitivity of follicles to DHT, a hormone derived from testosterone, leading to progressive miniaturization of the follicles.
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Hair loss is gradual. In men, hair loss begins at the temples and crown. In women, there is a global loss of hair density, especially along the part.
Telogen Effluvium (cause: stress, fatigue, childbirth, deficiencies)
Its characteristics:
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It is sudden.
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It generally affects the entire scalp.
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Abundant but temporary hair loss.
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Telogen effluvium is often triggered in response to certain factors, including: acute stress, nutritional deficiencies (iron, zinc, vitamin D, etc.), intense fatigue, hormonal changes or medical treatments, and after childbirth.
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Hair loss is reversible because it is an imbalance in the hair cycle and not a destruction of the follicles.
Alopecia Areata (autoimmune origin)
Its characteristics:
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Autoimmune origin. The immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing their dysfunction and localized inflammation, thus disrupting hair growth.
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Patchy hair loss often in round and smooth areas, on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows.
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Can appear at any age.
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The progression of hair loss is unpredictable. Hair can regrow spontaneously, but relapses are possible.
Cicatricial Alopecia
Its characteristics:
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Irreversible destruction of hair follicles preventing any new regrowth.
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Caused by infections, autoimmune diseases, and trauma.
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Hair loss can progress slowly or aggressively.
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It is accompanied by associated symptoms such as itching, burning, redness, or pain on the scalp.
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Requires a scalp biopsy to diagnose alopecia.
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The affected areas are devoid of visible follicles.
Is PRP effective against different forms of alopecia?
PRP effectiveness against androgenetic alopecia
The response of androgenetic alopecia to PRP treatment is potentially high, especially when the follicles are still active and in the case of younger patients or at the beginning of alopecia. Candidates observe a decrease in hair loss from the 2nd or 3rd session.
However, in cases of advanced baldness, the results are limited.
PRP effectiveness against telogen effluvium
Hair follicles during telogen effluvium are not destroyed, but merely imbalanced, causing a large number of hairs to prematurely enter the resting phase (telogen).
PRP professionals confirm its effectiveness in curbing hair loss in cases of telogen effluvium and supporting regrowth thanks to the powers of growth factors which allow to:
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prolong the anagen (growth) phase
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or interrupt the resting phase and allow accelerated return to the anagen phase.
PRP is effective for women after childbirth or for people who have experienced significant fatigue or a period of intense stress.
PRP effectiveness against alopecia areata
Unlike previous cases, the main reason for the problem is inflammatory and immune. As for the effectiveness of PRP against alopecia areata, the result probably depends on the activity of the disease and the patient's immunological profile.
But yes, PRP is also effective in cases of alopecia areata. You can learn more by consulting this study. However, the results remain variable and PRP, in this case, can be used as a complement to medical treatment.
PRP effectiveness against cicatricial alopecia
Cicatricial alopecia is a type of irreversible hair loss because it results from the permanent destruction of hair follicles. However, PRP acts by stimulating existing follicles. PRP is therefore ineffective when these have disappeared.
The most commonly proposed solution in this case is hair transplantation. You can, however, follow PRP treatment after a transplant to strengthen implanted hairs and stimulate regrowth.
What to expect concretely with PRP?
Results are often more visible after the 3rd session. A hair PRP protocol generally consists of 3 to 4 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart. Then, 1 maintenance session every 4 to 6 months to maintain the results.
Note that PRP does not have an instantaneous effect: it acts gradually. The first effects generally appear after 2 to 3 months, with a reduction in hair loss observed. And around 4 to 6 months, hair density and vitality begin to improve.
Book a free consultation for a personalized diagnosis with sssKin
Each hair loss has a different origin: hormonal, genetic, reactive, or inflammatory. This is why a precise hair diagnosis is essential before considering PRP treatment.
Book an appointment now and find out if PRP is a truly effective option for you.
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