PRP Hair Restoration

PRP HAIR RESTORATION AFTER HAIR TRANSPLANT SEATTLE

Hair transplant surgery is often the last resort when it comes to hair restoration. Doctors will likely try hair growth medications, laser therapy, platelet rich plasma, among other therapies to slow hair thinning and restore hair. However, if a hair transplant is necessary, patients often want to ensure that their transplanted hair will last a long time, if not the rest of their lives. One of the ways to promote the best results from a hair transplant and to prevent future hair loss is with PRP injections. PRP In Seattle provides the best PRP hair restoration after hair transplant Seattle offers.

SEATTLE HAIR RESTORATION OPTIONS

When a person begins to notice their hair thinning, it is best to act as soon as possible. Starting hair restoration early can slow down the rate of loss and prolong hair transplant surgery as well as total loss. The first line of defense against hair loss are various non-surgical therapies.

Non-Surgical

The most frequently used non-surgical hair restoration methods consist of: medications, laser therapy, and platelet rich plasma. Let’s take a look at these options in closer detail.

Medications:

When a younger person comes in experiencing the early signs of genetic hair loss, also known as male or female pattern baldness, the first treatment they will receive is a prescription for one of the many hair growth medications. The two most common include minoxidil and finasteride.

Minoxidil is a topical solution that widens blood vessels to slow and prevent loss. It is available in both over the counter and prescription forms. Finasteride is an oral medication that requires a prescription and is usually only prescribed to men. It too slows the rate of hair loss and can allow some hair to come back.

Laser Therapy:

Considering lasers are more often used to remove hair, it may seem counterintuitive that they can also grow hair. However, low level laser therapy has been shown to have hair restoration effects. The lasers are calibrated to a specific wavelength that hair follicles can absorb. The laser then stimulates the cells within your body responsible for hair growth. It also–like most non-surgical hair restoration techniques–increases blood flow to the scalp.

Platelet Rich Plasma Injections:

Injections of platelet rich plasma–also known as PRP–is a newer treatment, but one that is proving effective at slowing and preventing hair loss. It also stimulates hair growth by repairing damaged hair follicles, increasing blood flow, and activating your body’s healing response.

Your blood is drawn, the PRP isolated, and then injected into the scalp. PRP hair restoration penetrates deeper than topical therapies and lasers, which allow for better results in many cases. While it may involve a little discomfort and some aftercare, it is a great option for men and women experiencing hair thinning.

Surgical

Surgical hair restoration involves hair restoration surgery. There are two techniques used: follicular unit transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). FUT, or the strip method, is not used too much anymore. While some surgeons still perform it and it does have its uses in some cases, FUE comes with lower overall risk and often better outcomes.

The FUE method involves using a micro-punch tool to harvest donor hair from the back and sides of the head. The incisions made with this tool are often less than a millimeter in size and have little chance of scarring. There is no need for stitches. Many patients can also remain awake or lightly sedated during the procedure.

The above video shows one of our plastic surgeons performing a non-surgical platelet rich plasma hair restoration procedure. The patient was undergoing their third round of injections and planned to have six total to promote the best results.

PRP HAIR RESTORATION vs. HAIR TRANSPLANT SURGERY

Knowing which technique is right for your hair restoration procedure is not always straightforward. It is best to consult with an expert at PRP In Seattle who can examine the pattern of hair loss, scalp, and medical history to make an informed recommendation on which procedure may work best for you. The table below highlights some of the differences between the procedures that may make you a candidate for one over the other.

The two procedures do have some things in common. A totally bald patient (regardless of if they ever had hair) will not see benefit or hair growth from either procedure.

Benefits Of PRP After Hair Transplant

Following hair transplant surgery, some of the transplanted hair is expected not to survive. While the average is around 85-95% of the hair survives, this varies for every patient. Also, while hair transplantation can be permanent, it is not always. 

The providers at PRP In Seattle have started using PRP injections following hair transplant to promote better, longer lasting results. Some of the benefits of undergoing platelet rich plasma injections after hair transplant surgery include:

• Encourages better results
• May improve hair density
• Hair growth may occur sooner than those who do not undergo post-operative PRP treatment
• PRP contains growth factors not seen in other hair loss treatments
• Generate greater survival rate of transplanted hair
• Reduces chances of scarring
• Promotes better healing
• Strengthens inactive hair follicles
• Induces collagen and healing response
• Increases blood flow to the scalp
• May help hair grow longer
• Improves scalp skin
• Prevents future hair loss

HAIR RESTORATION FROM START TO FINISH

Consultation

Beginning your Seattle hair restoration journey at PRP In Seattle will start with a consultation with an injector or plastic surgeon. During this consultation, your provider will want to know about your hair loss concerns, if there is a history of hair loss in your family, and your medical history. They will also want to learn about your goals. Finally, they will examine your hair and scalp to observe the pattern of loss and quality of the skin.

After this thorough discussion and examination, your provider can recommend the best route of treatment. This may include hair transplant, PRP hair restoration, or both. If you have already had a hair transplant surgery, they can usually determine whether further surgery or injections will best serve your needs.

Hair Transplant

During hair transplant surgery, a plastic surgeon will use a small punch tool to remove between one and three hair follicles at a time. After harvesting the necessary number of grafts, they will then precisely transplant them into the areas of loss. While the procedure does not involve large incisions, it is time consuming and tedious because it involves working on such a small scale. Though, it is typically the most effective and dramatic hair restoration method.

PRP Hair Injections

Once you have healed enough from surgery, you will then undergo PRP hair restoration injections to promote better results. The PRP will also help your healing scalp, minimize scarring, and induce collagen to repair hair follicles. Generally, patients undergo between four and six rounds of PRP hair restoration injections. Though, this will vary from patient to patient. 

Patients can remain awake during the injections and the entire procedure takes around an hour to an hour and a half to complete. Some patients may also benefit from adding ACell, stem cells, or purified amniotic exosomes.

Recovery

PRP hair restoration does not involve a traditional recovery like hair transplant surgery. Patients can return to most of their activities immediately. Your provider may recommend taking it easy for one to two days and avoiding alcohol, blood thinning medications and supplements, and not washing your hair for about 24 hours.

Patients may feel some mild discomfort or tightness for a couple of days after their injections. Minor swelling, redness, and bruising may also occur. Some patients may experience a headache the day of treatment. Most side effects should subside within two weeks, though most see visible side effects reduce within three to four.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Long Will It Take To See Results?

On average, it takes about four to six months to see results from PRP hair restoration after hair transplant. It may not be immediately obvious that the platelet rich plasma is making a difference because the transplanted hair should begin to show results in roughly the same time frame. Studies have shown that patients who underwent PRP hair therapy after hair transplant surgery saw more hair regrowth, thicker hair, and better healing than those who did not.

Is Hair Transplant With PRP Permanent?

Hair transplant is the longest lasting hair restoration method currently available. For many patients, the results of a hair transplant will last the rest of their life. However, a hair transplant is not guaranteed to be permanent. While it has a good chance because the transplanted hair is more resistant to loss, it is still possible to experience hair loss after transplant. 

Platelet rich plasma can slow hair thinning and loss across the scalp. It also improves the outcome of hair transplant surgery. PRP has been used in surgery for decades to promote better healing and the same principles can apply to hair restoration surgery too.

Is It Worth It To Do PRP After Hair Transplant?

Regardless of your hair restoration needs, nearly every hair transplant patient can benefit from platelet rich plasma injections after hair transplant surgery. Regardless, PRP hair restoration after hair transplant has few risks and the most likely worst case scenario is that it does not make any large difference. This, itself, is unlikely. Overall, plastic surgeons and injectors agree that PRP injections after hair transplantation are beneficial and low risk.

What Is The Best Hair Restoration Procedure?

The answer to this question depends on the goals of the patients and other factors. For example, hair transplant surgery tends to provide the longest lasting and more dramatic results. However, a hair transplant is not worth it until hair loss reaches a critical point. For patients experiencing only mild to moderate hair thinning or loss, PRP hair restoration (or a similar injectable hair restoration procedure) is likely to be the most effective.

How Much Is PRP Hair Restoration?

Hair restoration with PRP only starts at $5,000 for six treatments. For more pricing information, you can visit our price list.

THE BEST PRP HAIR RESTORATION IN SEATTLE

PRP In Seattle is a clinic that specializes in non-surgical, cosmetic platelet rich plasma treatments. Our team includes plastic surgeons with experience in hair transplant and PRP hair restoration, aesthetic medicine physicians, physician assistants, and registered nurses. They are all dedicated to providing the best possible care and helping you achieve your hair restoration goals.

Our injectors consist of medical professionals with a wide range of knowledge and expertise. They all have trained extensively with platelet rich plasma injections and understand the causes, patterns, and treatments concerning hair loss. They have helped men and women restore hair and slow the progression of genetic hair loss.

To schedule a consultation, call us at 206-279-2112. You can also reach out online via chat or contact form.