Stem Cell Scalp Treatment vs. Platelet Rich Plasma?

Question

Is there a difference between a stem cell scalp treatment procedure, and platelet rich plasma for hair?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Prp is effective, but it can take up to 6 months to see results. I have a very specific protocol, every 3-4 weeks for 6 months with prp therapy.  I also add in progesterone to speed the healing process.  After that the injectors are tailored down.  You should also be on viviscal and other growth promoting ingredients.  Best, Dr. Emer

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear Sapphires44256,
Thank you for writing in with this question. There is most definitely a difference between platelet rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell treatments. PRP is a procedure where your own blood is collected (typically a small amount, maybe 25cc’s) and placed into a centrifuge where the various components of your blood are separated, and the platelets are collected. The concentration of the platelets in this platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is about 4 times normal. Platelets are cells that contain the growth factors that orchestrate the body’s tissue rejuvenation and healing systems. By increasing the concentration of platelets, the concentration of the growth factors is also increased. By injecting this enriched plasma (PRP) into the scalp it is thought that the growth factors stimulate the stem cells in hair follicles to encourage follicles to make more hairs per follicle, and thicker hairs in each follicle. 
Stem cell scalp treatments are different in that actual stem cells are harvested from your abdominal fat and isolated using proprietary systems, and then injected into the scalp in a similar manner as PRP is injected. There’s no proof that this method works any better to stop hair loss or regrow hair, however it’s different for each individual, and so PRP will work better for some, whereas stem cell treatments will work better for others. I hope this information is helpful to you.
Kind Regards,
Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

There is a difference between stem cell treatment and platelet rich plasma. Platelet rich plasma uses the growth factors that are in the platelets as well as the factors in the cytokines to stimulate hair growth. Stem cells can be used in two ways. One is stem cell enriched media injected into the scalp. A second is actual stem cells harvested most commonly from fat and injected into the scalp. As of today there is no proof that stem cell treatment works any better than PRP treatment.PRPHAIRMD.COM

Stem Cell Scalp Treatment vs. Platelet Rich Plasma?

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