Does smoking affect PRP Treatment?

Question

Hi, I'm 24 years old, male. I have been experiencing hair thinning and shedding in the last 7 years. I experience hair loss day by day. I want to use PRP as a good treatment but unfortunately I smoke 4 to 5 cigarettes per day. Does the smoking affect the PRP process or should I stop smoking before going through the process?

Jack Kolenda, MD, FRCS (C) · Answer

Smoking while doing PRP treatments to address hair loss is not effective. Smoking is linked to hair loss and this may be a loss for you financially.

Thank You,

Dr. Jack Kolenda

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Smoking definitely acts as an inhibitor to PRP treatments. Smoking is actually linked to active hair loss due to it's negative effect on the immune systems. You're welcome to try PRP while smoking, but it may be loss for you financially. I would suggest getting on a 3-Step Plan of nicotine patches to ween yourself down from smoking cravings. Once finished with the plan, give your body one month without any smoking nor nicotine patches before starting a PRP treatment series. With smoking effects in mind, you should also consider dietary goals that will best supplement to PRP, such as foods rich in Vitamin B and C, or even a nutrition supplement like Nutrafol. Most of my patients that have observed fast success with PRP have done it with healthy diets and nutrition supplementation.  Best, Dr. Anil Shah

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

PRP has the ability to decrease shedding, increase the diameter of hair shafts and regrowing hair. Androgenic alopecia leads to  a decrease in the microvasculature surrounding the hair follicles. Growth factors in the alpha granules of platelets can reverse this process. Cigarette smoking also affects the microvascular system and oxygen content in the blood. In summary, PRP will still help while you smoke, but you will not get maximum potential results. Find a PRP expert.. Good luck.Jeff Rapaport MDRealself All-star

Keith Scheinblum, MD · Answer

Smoking constricts blood vessels which could further limit blood flow to follicles that are already subjected to limited blood flow. Prp works well for hair restoration because it not only stimulates the hair follicle itself, but also helps to stimulate blood vessel growth which provides nutrition to further enhance the growth of the follicle. Increased blood flow is a key element in the success of Prp and smoking can counteract these beneficial effects.

Nicole Hayre, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for your question. Although smoking is not a contraindication for the PRP treatment, smoking can cause hair loss. PRP treatments could help delay your hair thinning and shedding, however, you may not experience the best results of the treatments if you are a smoker. I would recommend stop smoking before the treatments to receive the optimal results. Please seek a certified health care provider to determine if you are an ideal candidate for the treatment.

Bruce E. Katz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, smoking has been associated as a key factor in hair loss, you are able to smoke while receiving PRP treatments but results will vary. It is best you stop smoking, before starting the treatments. For more information, please make sure you get an in-person consultation from a board-certified dermatologist.

H.L. Greenberg, MD · Answer

Smoking is not a healthy behavior, but I am unaware of its effect on platelets or PRP treatments.  Some physicians have patients stop smoking prior to surgery.

Jake Wardwell, DO · Answer

Smoking definitely impacts the effects of PRP. From my experience treating chronic wounds and musculoskeletal injuries, I know that it can make or break the effectiveness of the procedure and can be part of the underlying cause of the problem. If treating Hair loss is important to you then you will have to stop smoking. PRP is a great adjunct to addressing underlying causes of hair loss but if used as a stand alone treatment you will have to do it much more regularly and it will not be cost effective. The first rule is always to treat the underlying causes then Regenerate the areas that have been impacted.

Does smoking affect PRP Treatment?

Answers (8)

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