What is PRF and how does it work?
Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is an autologous blood concentrate that uses your own blood to help rejuvenate your skin. PRF contains autologous growth factors that stimulate and enhance the healing response. It is used by doctors around the world to accelerate healing for various areas of the body. PRF is rapidly replacing platelet rich plasma (PRP) in medical spas and plastic surgeons’ offices around the country. This shift from PRP to PRF is because PRF contains more platelets per mcL. PRF also contains leukocytes (WBC) and Mesenchymal Stem Cells that PRP does not have. With PRF, your blood is spun at a low centrifugation and there is no added anticoagulation, like there is with PRP. This allows a fibrin matrix to form. The fibrin matrix will help to keep cells more active, allowing for a longer and slower release of growth factors. The rich concentration of cells in PRF will release growth factors over a longer period of time, contributing to an even better rejuvenation process.
PRF is used by doctors around the world to accelerate healing for various areas of the body. It is proven to be a promising treatment option to promote hair growth. Injecting PRF into the scalp has shown to trigger natural hair growth and maintain it by increasing nutrient rich cells and growth factors to the hair follicle and increasing the thickness of the hair shaft. After your full treatment you should expect to see increased hair growth, thicker hair, and less hair loss over time.
What should I expect?
PRF is a 3-step process. First, we draw your blood into tubes. The number of tubes depends on the amount of surface area we want to cover. The tubes of blood are then spun in a centrifuge. This process will separate the blood cells from all the other nutrient-rich cells that we want. When the centrifugation is complete, the top layer is collected. This layer of concentrate (PRF) is composed of your own platelets and white blood cells. We then inject the PRF along the entire area of your scalp that needs growth. We can apply topical numbing cream to the area before we begin.
Am I a good candidate?
The best candidate is someone who still has hair follicles but has experienced some hair thinning in some areas of their scalp, is concerned with a decrease in hair volume, or wants to improve the look of their hair without surgery. You may want to check with a doctor first to see if there are other reasons why you may have hair loss, such as hormonal changes or vitamin deficiencies. PRF can still help in these instances, but you may want to correct the true cause of the hair loss as well.
When will I see results?
A series of 4 initial treatments are recommended with a 6-month touch up, then annual sessions for maintenance. You can start to see a difference in your hair growth 2-3 months following the first few treatments but the best results will be about 6 months following all 4 sessions. The 6-month touch up session is recommended to boost the promotion of healthy hair growth. After the 6-month touch up, we can increase the time between sessions, as your hair growth progresses.
What is the aftercare like?
It is normal to experience bruising, redness, itching, swelling and/or soreness that may last for up to 5 days following your treatment. If you experience any pain or discomfort you may take a mild pain reliever such as Tylenol. You may have a bruise at the blood draw site. This should improve over the next few days. It is normal to feel a tingling sensation while the cells are being activated. Ice or cold compresses can be applied to reduce swelling if required. Continue to avoid aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen and other anti-inflammatory medications for 3 days after your procedure (talk to your doctor before stopping medications that are prescribed). You should avoid vigorous exercise, sun and heat exposure for at least 2 days after your treatment. You may massage hair and scalp gently with warm water in the shower 4-6 hours after treatment (this can help stimulate growth). Do not use any hair products for at least 12 hours after your treatment. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, swimming for 2 days after your treatment. Also avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking for 3 days after treatment, as these substances can affect the healing process. Continue your increased water intake the first week after your treatment. Do not use blood thinning agents such as vitamin E, vitamin A, Ginko, Garlic, Flax, Cod Liver Oil, Essential Fatty Acids for at least one week after your treatment (unless directed otherwise by physician).
