I've severe hair loss at the age of 21 . Doctor prescribed PRP therapy. What should I do?

Question

Side effects of prp

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy involves injecting a concentration of a patient's own platelets into the affected area to promote tissue repair, cell growth, and collagen production. While PRP is generally considered safe, it may have some side effects, including:

1. **Pain or Discomfort:** Mild pain or discomfort at the injection site is common and usually resolves within a few days.

2. **Bruising:** Bruising at the injection site can occur, but it typically fades within a week or two.

3. **Swelling:** Some swelling may occur, particularly in the first few days after treatment.

4. **Infection:** Although very rare, there is a risk of infection at the injection site. It's essential to ensure proper sterilization and hygiene practices during the procedure.

Regarding effectiveness, PRP therapy's efficacy varies depending on the specific condition being treated, the individual's health, and other factors. For hair loss, a recent study showed an effectiveness of 70 % when used alone and a higher rate when combined with Minoxidil or other agents.

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Jeremy S. Wetzel, MD · Answer

Working with pretty limited information here, I will try to answer your question in general terms. If you have severe hair loss at the very young age of 21 you would want to be as aggressive as possible in your hair loss prevention regimen. This answer is going to assume that you have genetic hair loss, and that you don't have an underlying cause for the hair loss such as vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, some type of scarring alopecia, or medication side effect as the cause. Any of those would require other approaches to address the hair loss. 
An aggressive hair loss prevention regimen should include medications (finasteride - assuming you are male, and minoxidil), which can be taken orally or applied topically, Low level Laser Therapy and PRP procedures every 3-4 months. The more of these things you do, the more effective they are in slowing the progression of your hair loss. 
Regarding your question about the PRP your doc suggested, I think its a good idea. PRP procedures are generally very well tolerated by patients and the side effects are extremely rare. There can be some irritation on the scalp afterwards, possibly some redness and mild swelling but these are all self-limiting and short-lived. At least in theory there is risk of infection any time you break the skin barrier during a medical procedure but this is exceedingly rare if proper technique is used. Just be sure to wash your hands before touching your scalp in the areas treated. 
Hope this helps.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

PRP, or Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy, is a treatment option for hair loss that utilizes your body's own growth factors to stimulate hair follicles. It involves drawing a small amount of your blood, processing it to isolate the platelet-rich plasma, and then injecting this back into areas of your scalp suffering from hair loss.
The procedure is generally considered safe as it uses your own blood. However, as with any procedure, there can be potential side effects. These may include:
1. Mild pain or discomfort at the injection site.2. Scalp tenderness.3. Swelling.4. Infection (very rare).5. Temporary bleeding at the injection site.
The severity of these side effects can vary from person to person, and they typically resolve within a few days. It's important to note that PRP therapy often requires multiple sessions to achieve the desired results and is not a one-time procedure.
Before deciding on PRP therapy, it is essential to have a thorough discussion with your doctor about your medical history, the potential benefits, and risks, and any other concerns you may have. Your doctor should be able to guide you in making the best decision for your specific situation.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question regarding hair loss. Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP, is a safe option to stimulate hair growth and address concerns of hair loss or thinning hair. The PRP procedure is very low risk and the treatment has little to no downtime. PRP influences hair growth and makes hair follicles stronger. We draw your blood, spin it down in a centrifuge, and extract the PRP. Then, the PRP is injected in your scalp. The PRP treatment takes about 30 minutes. Some patients report mild tenderness for 1-2 days, but Tylenol can be taken for any discomfort. You should plan at least 3 treatments, 1 month apart to start. I would also suggest getting your hormones checked to identify the underlying cause.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hi Philosophical6309395,

I am Sarah, a medical assistant at Anil Shah Facial Plastic Surgery, where we provide PRP therapy for hair loss on the daily. Our providers are experts in PRP therapy and would be more than happy to set up a consultation to see if you are a good candidate for the treatment.

In regards to your question, the main side effects of PRP therapy are pain and discomfort with injection, swelling, bruising, redness, itching, and in rare cases infection or allergic reaction. It's essential to have a thorough consultation with a healthcare professional before undergoing PRP hair therapy. They will assess your suitability for the treatment and inform you about potential risks and side effects.

Ryan Welter, MD · Answer

Severe hair loss at the age of 21 can be distressing, but Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy may offer an effective solution to stimulate hair growth and strengthen follicles. PRP involves using your body’s own growth factors, derived from your blood, to rejuvenate the scalp and support hair health. It’s generally considered safe with minimal side effects, such as mild tenderness, temporary swelling, or slight discomfort at the injection site, which usually resolve within a few days.

That said, PRP is most effective as part of a comprehensive approach. Since severe hair loss at such a young age could indicate underlying factors like hormonal imbalance, vitamin deficiencies, or genetic predisposition, it’s essential to first identify and address these root causes. PRP works best when combined with treatments like Finasteride (for men) or Minoxidil, low-level laser therapy, and proper scalp care.

PRP alone isn’t a one-time fix; it typically requires three sessions, spaced about a month apart, to achieve noticeable results. For long-term maintenance, follow-up treatments every 3-6 months are often recommended. Consulting a qualified dermatologist or hair restoration expert to assess your specific situation is key. With early intervention and a targeted plan, you can take control of your hair loss and improve your outcomes effectively.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. PRP has very few, if any, known side effects, maybe mild tenderness. You would need a few treatments, usually about a month apart. That said, I'm curious about what your doctor said or did. Did you have bloodwork or any examination to rule out any underlying issues? If not, I think you need to pursue that before considering PRP treatments. If physically you're good, then by all means, go for PRP!!! BEst of luck to you.

Dr. T

Dr. T

Vibha Gambhir, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your inquiry! PRP is a great option for hair loss. Most patients feel comfortable with these types of treatments because they are using their own blood components to stimulate their hair growth rather than taking medications or using chemicals on their scalp. Good luck on your journey!

Kulakarn Amonpattana, MD · Answer

Hello I'm Dr. Wipawan Vathananai, a co-worker of Dr. Kulakarn Amonpattana, from BHI Clinic, Bangkok, Thailand. According to your concern, it is very early to start having severe hair loss at this age. I would recommend you to see a dermatologist in your locals in order to find out the causes of hair loss.
PRP is not really a solution but it could be used as an adjunct to boost the hair growth. However, it you have other correctable causes for the hair loss, it is better to find out what it is and get it fixed.

Atlanta Innovative Medicine · Answer

PRP therapy is quickly becoming one of the most preferred hair restoration treatments, and it could certainly be a good option for treating your early-onset hair loss. Because PRP not only promotes hair growth in active follicles, but stimulates dormant follicles to become active again and strengthens follicles to better retain hair, it has shown outstanding results for patients with both mild and severe hair loss of all kinds. That said, the effectiveness of PRP does depend on the cause of hair loss, so we’d recommend identifying the root source prior to moving forward with treatment. PRP has shown the best results for patients suffering from alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, androgenetic alopecia, hair loss due to medications, and age-related hair-thinning or bald patches. However, depending on the specific circumstances, its effectiveness could extend further to treat other forms of hair loss too. PRP is a natural treatment involving the platelets drawn from your own blood, so it is very safe and the side effects are minimal. At our clinic, the vast majority of patients respond very well to treatment, experiencing only mild swelling and mild to moderate pain during the injections. We hope this helps you get started!

I've severe hair loss at the age of 21 . Doctor prescribed PRP therapy. What should I do?

Answers (10)

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