Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a medical treatment that uses a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints, or skin. It is commonly used in orthopedics, dermatology (especially for hair loss and skin rejuvenation), and sports medicine.
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy for hair loss is a non-surgical treatment that uses a patient’s own blood to stimulate hair growth. It involves drawing blood, processing it to concentrate platelets, and then injecting this platelet-rich plasma into the scalp to promote hair follicle activity and potentially reverse hair thinning.
What is PRP?
PRP is derived from your own blood. It contains a higher-than-normal concentration of platelets, which are rich in growth factors that help tissue repair and regeneration.
🧪 How PRP is Made:
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Blood Collection: A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient.
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Centrifugation: The blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other components (like red and white blood cells).
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Extraction: The platelet-rich portion is collected and prepared for injection.
💉 Uses of PRP:
1. Orthopedics & Sports Injuries:
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Tendonitis (e.g., tennis elbow)
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Ligament injuries
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Osteoarthritis (especially in the knee)
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Muscle tears or strains
2. Dermatology & Aesthetics:
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Hair restoration (androgenic alopecia)
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Skin rejuvenation (popularly known as the “vampire facial”)
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Acne scarring and fine lines
3. Other Areas:
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Dental procedures
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Post-surgical healing
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Chronic wound treatment
✅ Benefits:
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Uses your own blood (low risk of allergic reaction)
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Minimally invasive
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May reduce need for more invasive treatments like surgery
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Promotes natural healing
⚠️ Risks & Side Effects:
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Mild pain or swelling at the injection site
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Bruising
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Temporary inflammation
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Infection (rare)
⏳ Recovery and Results:
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Most patients resume normal activity shortly after.
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Improvement may take a few weeks to a few months.
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Results vary depending on the condition being treated and overall health.
🧬 Is PRP Proven to Work?
The evidence is mixed:
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Hair loss: Moderate evidence supports effectiveness.
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Joint pain/osteoarthritis: Some studies show benefit, but not all.
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Tendon injuries: May speed recovery, but results vary.