At ReNew Integrated Medical Spa, we have been performing PRP, microneedling and LightWave combination therapy as a proactive therapeutic option for male and female patients experiencing hair loss. PRP is an exciting non-surgical therapeutic option for patients who require stimulation of hair growth for hair loss conditions.
Recent scientific research and technology provides the medical community with new understandings of cellular, wound and tissue healing. As a result of these scientific studies, we know PRP is an all-natural medical procedure performed in health care provider offices for hair loss or conditions causing hair thinning. In a recent study published in Dermatologic Surgery, supports the clinical use of PRP in hair restoration. The use of PRP to treat hair loss has the potential to change the way hair loss is treated around the world as it’s a revolutionary, new treatment for hair loss.
HOW DOES PRP WORK?
Human blood contains mesenchymal stem cells and autologous blood products that contain essential and specific growth factors that assist in tissue regeneration and healing. PRP therapy has established itself to be effective as a medical treatment modality in the specialty fields of oral surgery, neurosurgery, plastic and cosmetic surgery, sports medicine and orthopedics. It has been used extensively in these specialties for the last two decades with generally positive outcomes and success. In the field of hair restoration, existing evidence demonstrates PRP therapy as a promising treatment option to promote hair growth.
THE SCIENCE OF PRP
PRP contains special cells called Platelets, that can cause growth of the hair follicles by theoretically stimulating the stem cells located in the Dermal Papilla as well as other structures of the hair follicle These special Platelet cells promotes healing, accelerates the rate and degree of tissue healing and regeneration, response of the body to injury, and formation of new cellular growth. The primary purpose of using PRP in hair restoration is to stimulate inactive hair follicles into an active growth phase.
PRP specific cells that causes hair growth include:
- Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)—promotes blood vessel growth, cell replication, skin formation;
- Transforming Growth-Factor-Beta (TGF-b)—promotes growth of matrix between cells, bone metabolism;
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)—promotes blood vessel formation;
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)—promotes cell growth and differentiation, blood vesselformation, collagen formation;
- Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2)—promotes growth of specialized cells and bloodvessel formation; and,
- Insulin Like Growth Factor - (IGF)—a regulator of normal physiology in nearly everytype of cell in the body.
HOW DOES LIGHTWAVE WORK?
LED stands for light-emitting-diodes. First developed by NASA, LED works by sending energy- producing packets of light into the deeper layers of the skin. Red light LED stimulates the fibroblasts that produce collagen, and stimulates blood flow and cellular growth. This stimulates the hair follicle and growth cycle.
HOW DO YOU PERFORM THE PROCEDURE?
Blood is drawn in our office .The blood is spun in a centrifuge and the PRP is separated and removed from the rest of the blood utilizing patented technology.
Then a medical micro needling roller device is used to stimulate the dermis of the scalp. This microneedling stimulation causes micropores where the PRP can penetrate deeper. The controlled trauma to the dermis then induces other healing and growth repair cells into action.
The highly concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) is then injected into the scalp and placed topically.
Then the Use of LightWave further stimulates cellular and follicular growth making the PRP more effective. Best results are achieved with multiple treatments, usually 3-4 PRP injections spaced out about every 3 months and LightWave LED treatments about once a week.
DOES THIS COMBINATION TREATMENT WORK?
While individual results vary and no guarantees of success can be made, preliminary studies indicate many patients respond to PRP therapy. The response and improvement is even further improved with the use of microneedling and LightWave LED technology (light emitting diode)
IS PRP FOR ME?
PRP has been used successfully in other medical and surgical disciplines for many years. The decision to use PRP is a personal decision and should be made after careful research, consideration and consultation with a health care professional. PRP is safe and natural because the procedure concentrates the good cells from your own body directly back into the area where it is needed. PRP involves using your own cells and it will not be rejected by your immune system.
Clinical trials are not complete and medical data is not yet published to determine the effectiveness of PRP therapy in hair restoration. PRP should not be considered a “cure” for hair loss and no guarantee can be made about its individual effectiveness. No claim of PRP efficacy in promoting hair growth can be made because there is no FDA approval that would allow such claims to be made.
CONCLUSION
In summary, the combination of PRP, Microneedleing, and LightWave therapy offers a promising alternative for natural hair growth for those patients who are not candidates for or choose not to have surgery. PRP is a great non-surgical option offers patients with miniaturization and hair thinning improvement in hair caliber and thickness.
