New Treatment : Platelet-Rich Plasma for Hair rejuvenation

Managing expectations. This was a bit of a clinic mantra when Dr You-Jin Chang said she would like to offer Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy Injections to treat hair loss at Skin & Sanctuary.

We know there are benefits.  PRP treatment for hair rejuvenation involves the injection of our own plasma and growth factors to trigger acceleration of hair growth as well as improve hair thickness and condition. 

But it’s emotional. We understand that everything involving our bodies, our face, is personal and in all instances we advise our clients that, just like changing behaviour can take commitment and time, so does affecting real changes in our skin. 

So when You-Jin said it was something she wanted our clients to benefit from we asked that she go gently. She did - making sure that she explained to our first client and the rest of the clinic team that success is not guaranteed. In fact though there are additional benefits to the skin PRP tends to visibly work in 50% of cases. It also requires commitment (at least three in-clinic sessions one month apart) and an investment, £1350.00 for the three sessions.

The thing is where we (and I in particular) continued to advise caution, for this client, the treatment worked wonderfully.

Bitu came to us after a visit to his regular barbers. Though his wife and children had quietly mentioned the thinness at the top of his head he had tried shrugging it off. But when the hairdresser held the mirror above his head after a new cut Bitu knew he felt it and started the dreaded google search. Not convinced by the hair transplant or medication route he approached us and asked if there was something less invasive available. And we are so pleased he did - primarily as he is so happy with the results.

This does not mean that we are doing away with caution. Anyone interested in the treatment will be asked to come in for a full consultation/assessment. Studies have shown that PRP is more effective for certain types of hair loss such as androgenic baldness (reduced hair volume) or for those suffering from more recent hair loss. The longer the condition persists, the less likely it is that the treatment will work (though it may still produce some beneficial results).

We also ask for an in-clinic consultation to ensure that you have full details of the process involved. The advice is normally for three initial sessions 4 to 6 weeks apart, followed by regular maintenance injections every four to six months.

As with PRP treatments for the face the results are long lasting. Though Bitu could see the difference after the first session, improvement can continue for six to twelve months.

And finally, I am keen to confirm You-Jin’s other mantra for this treatment - that, like PRP for the face or any other part of the body, it is completely gender neutral, safe and beneficial for so many of us.