POSTED UNDER PRP for Hair Loss REVIEWS
My Experience with PRP
ORIGINAL POST
I've been going through hair loss for about 10...
k.kalesOctober 17, 2017
$1,443
I've been going through hair loss for about 10 months. I've been taking Spironolactone for 8 months now. I've tried multiple vitamins, evening primrose, Viviscal, etc. It has slowed since the beginning but I'm not sure what helped. I decided to get PRP treatments to help with my thinning sides. I am going to receive 3 prp treatments and 4 hair laser treatments. Each treatment is 1 month apart. I just got my first one done a few days ago! Pain was minimal. It was administered with a gun type thing not the needle done manually. I assume that's why pain was less. I received no numbing but I did take two T3's (I was quiet nervous!) which I was told was okay. I didn't have any swelling. It was a little tender after though. One thing that did concern me was that on my second hair wash after the treatment I experienced a ton of shedding! During the shower and while I was blow drying. I have to say that scared me very much. But that could be from a variety of things...I did just get a new shower filter and it was my second time using it. I also stopped taking all the vitamins I was on about a week before treatment...maybe that was it? Who knows! It is such a struggle trying to figure out what causes it. I should also mention I have had my thyroid tested, hormones tested, iron, some vitamins, basically everything I could, and everything as come back normal. Anyways, that's my story. If any one has questions or suggestions for me to try or tests I could do please message me!!
k.kales's provider
Replies (33)
November 1, 2017
Hi, I'm a 29/F, dealing with thinning temples and hairline - looking into PRP as well. Your reports of increased shedding post PRP sounds like maybe you experienced a bit of shock loss? From what I've read it can be a side effect of PRP because the needles essentially cause trauma to the scalp. Have you considered rogaine? That's what I'm currently leaning towards but scared on starting because internet horror stories of aging skin overnight :/ I will be following your updates to see what your results/outcomes are.
November 1, 2017
Hey,
That could be what I'm experiencing... I hope it subsides. I still feel I'm shedding quiet a bit. I haven't tried Rogaine. I was very close to it a few times and a hair specialist I've talked to wanted me to use it but I just don't know if I want to rub a chemical on my scalp for the rest of my life... I've been told that I shouldn't have any adverse reactions and that if I stop my hair will just shed like normal again but I don't know if that is 100% correct. I've heard the horror stories too and I don't want to make things worse than they are. I'm actually considering seeing a naturopathic doctor next. Maybe stopping all my vitamins for a while and starting from scratch.
That could be what I'm experiencing... I hope it subsides. I still feel I'm shedding quiet a bit. I haven't tried Rogaine. I was very close to it a few times and a hair specialist I've talked to wanted me to use it but I just don't know if I want to rub a chemical on my scalp for the rest of my life... I've been told that I shouldn't have any adverse reactions and that if I stop my hair will just shed like normal again but I don't know if that is 100% correct. I've heard the horror stories too and I don't want to make things worse than they are. I'm actually considering seeing a naturopathic doctor next. Maybe stopping all my vitamins for a while and starting from scratch.
November 3, 2017
For a while I was supplementing with powdered collagen, and I noticed that it really helped with controlling my shedding. Stopped b/c my liver enzymes came back wonky on lab results, and the only thing I was doing differently was supplementing with collagen. I stopped taking it and my enzymes went back to normal.
But I'm not sure if that was it.. b/c online people rave about collagen supplementation, and I haven't seen any reports on it elevating liver enzymes. So maybe I was an exception, and my body just didn't accept it. But maybe it'll be a good option for you. Read up on it :)
Sidenote, know you said your labwork came back fine, but there's always what docs call a normal range of values. I think ferritin values can be as low as 12, and be considered normal - so doctor's don't even blink an eye at it. But from what I read, ferritin needs to be at 70 and above for hair regrowth. Just something to keep in mind. If your ferritin is on the lower end, I'd look into iron supplementation. Anemia related hairloss is one of the easier fixes.
But I agree with what you're saying, a clean slate and gradually incorporating things to see what regime works and doesn't work for you, is a good idea.
But I'm not sure if that was it.. b/c online people rave about collagen supplementation, and I haven't seen any reports on it elevating liver enzymes. So maybe I was an exception, and my body just didn't accept it. But maybe it'll be a good option for you. Read up on it :)
Sidenote, know you said your labwork came back fine, but there's always what docs call a normal range of values. I think ferritin values can be as low as 12, and be considered normal - so doctor's don't even blink an eye at it. But from what I read, ferritin needs to be at 70 and above for hair regrowth. Just something to keep in mind. If your ferritin is on the lower end, I'd look into iron supplementation. Anemia related hairloss is one of the easier fixes.
But I agree with what you're saying, a clean slate and gradually incorporating things to see what regime works and doesn't work for you, is a good idea.
November 3, 2017
I will definitely look into that! I do a lot of research and haven't come across powdered collagen yet! Thanks!!
That's very true. I heard about that before. I had my iron checked and it was apparently high! But I was taking Viviscal at the time I got my blood work done so I suspect it was from that. I've actually got to go in for another test to re-check my levels since I'm no longer taking Viviscal. Just to see if it balanced out again. But I will keep that info in mind and ask what my actually ferritin level is!
I've got an appointment with a naturopath so I'm hoping she's going to run some more tests. Maybe more specific ones too.
That's very true. I heard about that before. I had my iron checked and it was apparently high! But I was taking Viviscal at the time I got my blood work done so I suspect it was from that. I've actually got to go in for another test to re-check my levels since I'm no longer taking Viviscal. Just to see if it balanced out again. But I will keep that info in mind and ask what my actually ferritin level is!
I've got an appointment with a naturopath so I'm hoping she's going to run some more tests. Maybe more specific ones too.
February 23, 2018
I am experiencing the same major hair loss I’m thinking the same maybe I should stop everything and just drink tons of water apple cider vinger and wheat grass! it’s horrible ! besides my self!
March 13, 2018
What is PRP? Have you researched food grade diatomacious earth for hair regrowth? I use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner to minimalize the shedding. It does help with that. I'm taking Spiro but not sure it's making a difference.
March 19, 2018
Hey,
It's platelet rich plasma. They take your own blood, spin it, and use it to help stimulate hair growth. I took spiro for about a year and noticed no difference either.
It's platelet rich plasma. They take your own blood, spin it, and use it to help stimulate hair growth. I took spiro for about a year and noticed no difference either.
April 21, 2018
same issues here. my hair has become so baby fine and thin and soft it’s so scary. I get Natural Beaded Rows extensions bc they have very minimal damage and give me confidence. I do have slight anemia and slightly hypothyroid. however started thinning in the frontal area more and a few years ago they did a scalp biopsy and came back saying I had Alopecia which is such a broad hair loss issue. they recommended Propecia as an off label treatment but I didn’t take it due to possible birth defects with future children :(
April 25, 2018
Yeah, it's very difficult to find an exact cause and solution for hair loss. It's been nothing but trail and error for me and it still hasn't fully stopped and I still haven't found the root of the problem. =( But the anemia and hypothyroidism sound like that could definitely be contributing to your problem. I would work on correcting those issues and hopefully the hair loss will stop. I hate taking medication as well. I've been off spironolactone for a few months now and just taking vitamins.
June 20, 2018
Did it hurt?
June 27, 2018
Hello,
I had the gun version done so the needle is programmed to only go into your scalp the same amount each time so it is supposed to hurt less than the manual method of a doctor just using a needle and guessing how deep to go each time. I wasn't frozen and I didn't take any pain medication and I could sit through it fine. It is a little painful though so if you have a low pain tolerance I would ask if you can be frozen or if you can take a Tylenol before or something. But it really wasn't that bad. I would say a 6 or 7 out of 10.
I had the gun version done so the needle is programmed to only go into your scalp the same amount each time so it is supposed to hurt less than the manual method of a doctor just using a needle and guessing how deep to go each time. I wasn't frozen and I didn't take any pain medication and I could sit through it fine. It is a little painful though so if you have a low pain tolerance I would ask if you can be frozen or if you can take a Tylenol before or something. But it really wasn't that bad. I would say a 6 or 7 out of 10.
Replies (2)
October 10, 2018
I’d love to follow your progress. I am experiencing hair loss as well and really need to find a solution that won’t cost me a fortune
February 20, 2019
Me too. Nutrafol supplements seem to be helping, they were recommended by my Dermatologist. I'm also trying Rogaine.
UPDATED FROM k.kales
20 days post
3 weeks after first PRP treatment
k.kalesNovember 1, 2017
So it's been 3 weeks after my PRP treatment and I unfortunately have not noticed much of a change in shedding. Hoping things turn around soon...
Replies (2)
November 11, 2017
Thanks for your update. Really appreciate the progress report. So sorry to hear there hasn't been much progress. Have my fingers crossed for you that regrowth begins shortly. Please continue to post.
I have similar hair loss as yours. My dermatologist prescribed rogaine, but I haven't used it to date as I know it's a "life-long" process once you start and am hoping there are alternate solutions.
I have similar hair loss as yours. My dermatologist prescribed rogaine, but I haven't used it to date as I know it's a "life-long" process once you start and am hoping there are alternate solutions.
November 14, 2017
Thanks! My second PRP treatment is tomorrow. I will update again with photos.
Yes, I agree with trying to find an alternative solution. I'm interested in more natural ways of healing the body.
Yes, I agree with trying to find an alternative solution. I'm interested in more natural ways of healing the body.
I take vitamin d, omega 3, milk thistle, and evening primrose. I'm also on spirlonalactone. Shedding is still a lot, even after my PRP treatment. Don't think anything is helping. No, I haven't tried any other treatments.