Does PRP for hair loss and vampire facials need to be activated?

Question

I noticed that some providers do not activate the PRP solutions before use and others say it is imperative to activate to increase growth factors.... I think many doctors use calcium chloride as an activating agent. Is this highly recommended? I have also been told that if microneedling is used with PRP, that the microneedling itself acts to activate the PRP. Is this true? Is there any research looking at the activation of PRP versus no activation?

Jack G. Bertolino, MD · Answer

Yes PRP has to be activated. Trauma is the main activator, so lasers or micro needling work well, as do radiofrequency treatments. If you are doing a P-Shot or an O-Shot for sexual wellness then you can activate the PRP with calcium chloride. PRP is a great way to build up collagen and elastin in your skin, or help grow hair as it has 20 some odd growth factors. Hope this is helpful to you. JB

Hung William Song, MD · Answer

Hello, the Vampire® procedures utilize the growth factors that are stored in the platelets. Your platelets will need to "activate," in essence, self destruct and release the growth factors that they store. Activation occurs when the platelets come in contact with inflammation, such as due to trauma from a micro needling procedure or in the presence of a foreign substance such as calcium or dermal fillers. When you are applying PRP topically after a micro needling treatment, no activation is required. The platelets are absorbed through the micro channels created by the needles and there is plenty of inflammation present to activate the platelets that make it in to the channels. When injecting PRP as with a Vampire Facelift®, the presence of the filler will activate the PRP so no additional activation is required. When injecting straight PRP, the results will be minimal because most of the platelets remain un-activated and thus do not release their growth factors. PRFM refers to PRP that is activated and can be injected as a skin rejuvenation treatment with better results than if it was injected plain. In my experience, PRFM does not give volumization anywhere close to what we get when we combine PRP with fillers. There is a lot of controversy about whether PRP being injected into the scalp for hair growth  needs to be activated. My experience is that it works better when activated for the same reasons described above. Combining PRP with processed autologous fat (ALMI nanofat), or other biologicals like amniotic membrane or A-Cell seems to boost the results considerably. One reason some people shy away from activating the PRP is because once activated, the PRP clots pretty quickly, so the injector needs to work fast. The other downside is that the PRP burns more when calcium is added. We neutralize the pH with some sodium bicarbonate and this takes care of the burning with or without the calcium. PRP is an awesome treatment with countless applications. It will work best if the injector knows how it works and is trained on the nuances of different applications.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

I don't believe that the research you are looking for is available. Clinical controlled double blind studies are required to ascertain the results you are looking for

Does PRP for hair loss and vampire facials need to be activated?

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Does PRP for hair loss and vampire facials need to be activated?

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Everything you need to know about PRP Injections

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.