PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)

What Is PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)?

PRP — that is, “Platelet Rich Plasma” — is actually the process of gathering our body’s own self-healing power and sending it as support to the area where it is needed. Think of it this way: in our blood, there are little heroes called “platelets” that rush to the spot the moment we get cut and start the repair. These cells carry within them very valuable “growth factors” that renew tissues and revitalize cells. This is also the purpose of PRP in hair loss treatment. It is to create essentially a reinforcement by sending this army of platelets — separated from the person’s own blood — to weakened, depleted, and thinned hair roots.

Thanks to this procedure, a concentration of repairing cells and growth factors far denser than what is reached through normal blood circulation is delivered directly to the hair roots. This intense support awakens dormant roots, increases the blood supply and nourishment of lifeless roots, and improves the tissue quality in the area. The best aspect of the treatment is that it is completely natural. Without any chemical or medication foreign to the body, only the healing potential of the person’s own blood is used. This way, the goal is to slow hair loss, improve the quality of existing hair, and trigger the growth of new, healthy hair. In short, PRP is a biological message telling the hair roots, “Come on, it’s time to revitalize again.”

How Is PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Performed?

The PRP treatment is a process consisting of very simple and safe steps that takes about 30–40 minutes from start to finish. The stages of this procedure, carried out in a clinical setting, are:

• A small amount of blood is taken from the patient.
• The blood taken is placed in special tubes.
• The tubes are placed in the centrifuge device.
• The device separates the blood into its components.
• The platelet-rich plasma portion is separated.
• This plasma is drawn into syringes.
• It is injected into the areas with hair loss.

Since the treatment is done with very fine needles, the pain sensation is usually minimal. Nevertheless, to increase the patient’s comfort, topical anesthetic creams can be applied to the scalp or a cold compress can be used before the procedure. As soon as the procedure is over, the person can easily return to their daily activities; no rest or recovery process is needed.

What Is the Recovery Process After PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Like?

The process after PRP treatment is as comfortable as the procedure itself. Since the person’s own blood is used, there are no risks such as allergy or tissue rejection, which makes it an extremely safe method. After the procedure, slight tenderness, pinpoint redness, or very mild edema may be seen in the treated area. These are expected and completely temporary conditions; they usually resolve on their own within a few hours.

On the first day after the procedure, there are some simple recommendations to follow to support the healing process and eliminate possible risks:

• Not washing the hair for the first 12 hours
• Not massaging the treated area
• Avoiding strenuous, sweat-inducing sports on the same day
• Staying away from environments such as Turkish baths, saunas, and pools
• Not being exposed to direct and intense sunlight
• Not applying products with chemical content to the scalp

The results of the treatment require patience. It takes time for the hair roots to respond to this intense support and enter a new growth cycle. A noticeable reduction in hair loss and an increase in hair quality are usually observed after the 2nd or 3rd session. For more noticeable results, such as new hair growing and existing hair thickening, a period of 3 to 6 months must pass. For the effect to be lasting, follow-up sessions are planned at certain intervals.