Our hair does more than keep our heads warm — it is an important part of our appearance. As a result, when it starts to thin, it can make us look older and affect our self-confidence. Fortunately, help is available with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

Dr. Peter Karlsberg and his physician’s assistant Michele Ayans can meet a wide range of your dermatological and aesthetic needs including addressing hair loss at the Ventura Institute for Dermatologic Arts in Ventura and Camarillo, California. With our innovative treatment program that combines art and science and our personalized care, we can help refresh your appearance to meet your goals.

Hair loss

On a typical day, most people tend to shed anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair. This is perfectly normal and does not contribute to hair loss.

Hair loss occurs when the hair no longer grows. Over 80% of men and almost 50% of women suffer from this condition at some point during their lifetimes.

Causes

Hair loss can occur due to a number of reasons including heredity, a hormone imbalance, getting older, and stress. In addition, certain medical conditions like alopecia areata, thyroid disease, and psoriasis can cause a loss of hair, as can some cancer treatments and medications. Nutrient deficiencies, bad hair care habits, and even childbirth can also contribute to thinning.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy

Platelet-rich plasma therapy has been used since the 1980s to help encourage healing from injuries to the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Now treatment using PRP can help decrease the chance of more hair loss and even reverse losses already experienced.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy involves taking a sample of blood from the patient and using a centrifuge to separate out the platelets, which are rich in growth factors and proteins. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected into certain areas under the skin where the platelets help regenerate cells and encourage the hair follicles to grow more hair.

The procedure does not involve any type of surgery and is only minimally uncomfortable. Plus there is no downtime for recovery and you can go right on with the rest of your day.

A typical treatment protocol involves three monthly treatments followed by an assessment of the response three months later. Depending on the results, maintenance treatments are usually done every three months.

Some individuals may find success with platelet-rich plasma therapy alone, while others might benefit from a complement of treatments that could also include medications, dietary supplements, hormone replacement therapy, or hair transplantation.

If you’d like a thicker, fuller head of hair, call us today at (805) 677-1600 to make an appointment and find out if platelet-rich plasma therapy is right for you.