Risk of shock loss from ‘ blebs’ in PRP administration?

Thank you for your question. PRP is generally safe and effective for hair restoration, but technique and volume are important to minimize the risk of temporary shedding or shock loss. The "blebs" technique, where small amounts are injected just under the skin at follicular depth, is commonly used. If the injections are evenly distributed and not overly concentrated in one area, the risk of stress on the follicles is low.

Given your history of stress, TE, and resolved SD, it’s important to ensure your scalp is healthy and inflammation-free before starting PRP.

The concern you're raising about PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections for hair regrowth, particularly the risk of shock loss or hair shedding due to over-injection in one area, is a valid one. PRP therapy involves injecting concentrated plasma into areas where hair loss has occurred, stimulating hair follicles and promoting regrowth. Shock loss, or temporary shedding, can sometimes happen after hair restoration treatments, including PRP, as existing weak hairs may fall out before stronger regrowth occurs.
When it comes to "blebs" or small bubbles of plasma being injected under the skin at follicle depth, this technique is often used to ensure that the PRP reaches the target area without causing trauma to the surrounding tissues. The likelihood of shock loss typically depends on factors such as the patient's condition, treatment protocol, and the interval between treatments. A careful and experienced practitioner would ensure that the injection volume and distribution are managed to reduce the risk of hair shedding.
In general, any shedding from PRP is usually temporary, and the hair regrowth process should resume in a few weeks.

In my opinion, shock loss from plain PRP does not occur if injected using the Rapaport subdermal depo technique. Possible causes of shock loss are excessive intradermal injections or using a extracellular matrix such as Acell. These put pressure on the follicles. The same holds true for Eyebrow and beard injections. Find a PRP expert.
Jeff Rapaport MD FAAD
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