The Vampire Facial for Hair: Does Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Benefit Hair?

Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) has recently gained a lot of press for being the star of Kim K’s ““Vampire Facial,” but what you may not know is that PRP is a hot topic in hair growth too! Not everyone will experience hair loss,but for those who do (~80% of men and ~50% of women), it can be extremely distressing. We are trying a whole host of treatments now to combat hair loss, such as topical products, oral medications, camouflage techniques, and hair transplants – each with their own benefits and limitations  – but sadly, NONE are a universal cure.

Enter: platelet-rich plasma (PRP).  PRP uses your body’s own cells to stimulate hair follicles and reduce hair shedding.  Orthopedists first experimented with the use of using a patient’s own blood to help heal bone fractures. Since then, the regenerative benefit has been explored in other medical fields, including dermatology.  In this article we’re going to break it down:  what is PRP, why does it works, and the pros and cons of using it for hair restoration.

What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Platelets are the cells in the blood that are responsible for making a blood clot if you’re injured. Within platelets are small packets, called ‘granules,’ containing various protein growth factors that are released when the platelets are ‘activated.’ (ref 1,2).  Different vendors sell various kits that vary in the method of preparing PRP, but the overall concept remains the same.  Generally speaking, a small volume of your blood is drawn from a vein in your arm. The components of blood are then separated out into layers using a specialized machined called a centrifuge. Just like clothes in a washing machine get pressed to the sides when it spins, the centrifuge rotates which causes the red blood cells to be collected on the bottom of the test tube while platelets remain in a concentrated form from the fluid above, hence the name ‘platelet-rich’.   This concentrated fluid is then collected into a syringe that is used to inject small amounts of liquid into multiple places on the scalp using a fine needle.  Because PRP uses components of your own blood, you don’t have to worry about your body rejecting it, the way you might with an organ transplant.

In conjunction with PRP, microneedling is sometimes used to help increase the absorption of the plasma into the scalp. Microneedling is a relatively new and safe treatment using a device that contains multiple needles to puncture the top layer of the skin. In theory, these small punctures cause a little bleeding that may help induce natural wound healing by the body. Much of this wound healing is driven by, you guessed it, aforementioned platelets in your blood. These needles can also break down or help remove scars, which is why some people use PRP and microneedling on their face. Don’t worry if needles frighten you, however!  A numbing cream can be used to lessen the pain. The combination of the microneedling therapy with PRP injection has been shown to be more effective for some people than using either one alone.

 

How does PRP work?

The science of how platelet-rich plasma therapy works is not completely understood. One possibility is that PRP releases growth factors to activate the growing cells in the hair follicle and surrounding tissues. Some of these potentially include increasing the number of blood vessels and blood flow to the scalp.  Some more recent evidence suggests that the stem cells are stimulated. The end result is that hair growth is more robust and the number of hairs being shed decreases. One analogy to think of is that PRP is like a fertilizer for the garden of hairs growing on your scalp!  

Is PRP for hair loss right for you?

PRP is a relatively new therapy for hair loss and the evidence behind it is only now becoming clearer. Whether you want to try PRP for your hair is a decision that you should make with your dermatologist.  Within our specialized hair dermatology clinic, we have found about 3 out of 4 people have some increased hair with PRP.  However, you may want to rethink PRP if you fall into the following categories: .

• If you have a bleeding disorder that makes you excessively bleed or form blood clots (you should let your dermatologist know in advance!)
• If you have a special type of ‘scarring’ (cicatricial) hair loss rather than the more common male/female (androgenetic) pattern hair loss
• If you are pregnant
• Inability to tolerate the pain of the procedure
• Do not want to rely on a therapy that must be continued indefinitely

Unfortunately, dermatologists haven’t yet established a defined treatment plan. In our clinic, we have seen favorable results when PRP is performed once a month for 2 months.  If the patient is responding, monthly injections are repeated for another 2-4 months, and then spaced out every 3-6 months.  As with all medical hair restoration treatment options, the treatment needs to be continued indefinitely, or else with time the hair will return to where it would have been without treatment.

Another important factor to consider is cost.  Insurance plans typically do not reimburse for the cost of the procedure because it is considered cosmetic. According to Realself.com, the average price nationwide of one treatment of PRP for hair loss is $1,675.  Additionally, PRP can cause side effects like short-term headaches, pain with injections, and, rarely, temporary increased hair shedding. However, at the end of the day, the side effects are in line with other medical hair restoration options, and much less invasive than a hair transplant.

PRP is not the end-all solution to treating hair loss and should be considered as a part of a treatment plan with the guidance of your dermatologist. Other medications such as Rogaine (minoxidil), Aldactone (spironolactone), or Propecia (finasteride) can be used in conjunction with PRP to provide additional benefits.

If you are considering PRP and still have questions, or if you had PRP treatment and want to share your experience, please comment below!

For more information, visit the North American Hair Research Society (nahrs.org).

Guest bloggers:

Garrett Yoon BS is a New York University medical student interested in skin and hair-related diseases. He is a co-leader of the Dermatology Interest Group. As Southern-California native, Garrett enjoys lifting weights, watching the Dodgers, and playing piano in his free time.

Instagram: @theyoongoon

Kumar Sukhdeo MD, PhD  is a resident physician-scientist at the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology of New York University (NYU). His interests are in evidence-based dermatology, stem cell biology, and hair/scalp disorders. All opinions expressed in this article are his own. Hear more from Dr. Sukhdeo via Twitter and Instagram. Visit his website www.DrKumarSukhdeo.com for more information.

References

1. Cervantes J, Perper M, Wong LL, Eber AE, Villasante Fricke AC, Wikramanayake TC, & Jimenez JJ. (2018). Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Literature. Skin Appendage Disord. 4:1-11
2. Singh A, Yadav S. Microneedling: Advances and widening horizons. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016;7(4):244-254.
3. Ferrando J, García-García SC, González-de-Cossío AC, Bou L, Navarra E. A Proposal of an Effective Platelet-rich Plasma Protocol for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia. Int. J. Trichology. 2017;9(4):165-170.
4. Gentile P, Garcovich S, Bielli A, Scioli MG, Orlandi A, Cervelli V. The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2015;4(11):1317-1323.
5. Khatu SS, More YE, Gokhale NR, Chavhan DC, Bendsure N. Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenic Alopecia: Myth or an Effective Tool. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2014;7(2):107-110.