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

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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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.

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.