Plasma therapy helps restore damaged hair follicles
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy at the Texas Center for Hair Restoration (TCHR) in Plano allows patients to use their own blood and stem cells to fight against hair loss.
PRP therapy incorporates the use of amniotic stem cells collected from the placenta of viable donors and 20 to 40 mL of blood from the patient.
“Since we’re using their own blood, there is no risk of allergic reactions,” said Dr. Joseph Yaker, of TCHR. “The stem cells are like an espresso shot to cells.”
The blood contains PRP, which has growth factors that rejuvenate damaged tissue. PRP is extracted from the blood in a centrifuge and later combined with stem cells to be injected into the patient’s scalp. Then, micro-needling is used to make small puncture wounds in the scalp to create trauma.
“This helps activate the cells to help damaged hair follicles,” Yaker said.
The procedure takes 50 minutes, and may cause bruising and redness to the patient’s scalp. Patients have to receive a second PRP treatment after four weeks to increase growth and enable hair to survive.
“It’s not a cure for hair loss, but it can last for 18 months,” Yaker said.
After the second therapy, Yaker meets with patients every 90 days to monitor progress in their hair’s length and thickness. Results vary with each patient.
“I noticed a lot of regrowth,” said TCHR client Jessica Meadow. “I do see some baby hair coming in. I still need some more treatment to get the result I want.”
Yaker said he’s the only doctor in Texas using this method. A few other physicians incorporate stem cells in PRP therapy.
“It’s extremely successful,” Yaker said. “Doctors who are practicing with PRP are getting rave reviews from patients.”
PRP therapy has been around for decades, but is now receiving more attention. Doctors are still researching the use of PRP therapy and stem cells for hair loss and medical ailments.
“I think that we need to see long-term effects, because it’s so new,” Yaker said. “The future is very bright. We just need to get more information about it to improve the technique.”
