Platelete Rich Plasma
The small follicular units enable the surgeon to transplant thousands of grafts within a single session, hence maximizing the impact of the technique. Before the follicular hair transplantation method was developed, surgeons removed large grafts in groups of 3-8 hairs. This method yielded an unnatural look as the follicular units would get damaged of broken up, affecting hair growth.
Follicular Unit Extraction is a surgical hair transplant technique that involves removing individual hair follicles from scalp and implanting them on the thinning or bald areas of the head. The whole procedure, i.e., from extraction to implantation, is performed manually by our skilled surgeon Dr. Farooque. FUE hair transplant in Dubai is ideal for:
- Patients whose hairline is growing backward
- People with bald hair
- Those with particle hair loss
PRP is a short-form for the name Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy, a hair loss treatment method that involves drawing one’s blood and injecting it into the scalp to harness hair growth. But first, the blood is run through a centrifuge to separate platelets from the white blood cells, plasma, and red blood cells. The activated platelets are injected into the scalp or other diseased body tissue to release growth factors that stimulate the number of reparative cells produced by the body.
PRP has proved effective at treating:
- Hair loss: PRP in Dubai minimizes hair loss in both males and females who have pattern baldness. A journal published in 2015 found that men who received PRP treatment had more hair growth and higher density. Women who have developed thinning hair or hair loss as a result of menopause are also suitable candidates for the therapy. Also, people who started losing hair within the last five years will find the treatment effective. Losing hair for a longer period causes the hair to become thin and small, so any therapy promoting hair growth is ineffective
- Tendonitis: PRP therapy treats injuries like torn rotator cuffs, tennis elbow, or the jumper's knee, which are caused by repetitive movement. Such injuries are difficult to heal because of poor blood flow to the tendons. Thus, PRP therapy provides self-healing cells at the site of injury to help the tissues to regenerate quickly
- Osteoarthritis: This therapy reduces the progression of this chronic degenerative joint disease. It also minimizes inflammation of the joints and enhances lubrication
- Muscle Injuries: The treatment also treats acute injuries on ligaments and muscles by accelerating the natural healing process.
- Nerve damage and injury: Neurosurgeons are now turning to PRP therapy in Dubai to treat nerve injuries in the peripheral nervous system like carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, among others. The treatment helps the system to regenerate nerve tissues to restore their proper function and reduce pain
- Non-healing wounds: The therapy also creates a high concentration of platelets on wounds that are taking long to heal. It helps fight infection and promotes coagulation
- Back and spine conditions: PRP therapy treats injuries in various areas of the spine and the back like the face joints, sacroiliac joint, herniated discs, and more. The injections minimize pain and inflammation and enhance healing
It is a non-invasive treatment method as the extraction is done using injections. The enriched plasma is injected to the scalp, tissue, or other areas to enhance healing.
The therapy involves three treatments. The first involves drawing blood from the arm and putting it in a centrifuge (the machine that spins blood rapidly to separate fluids that have different densities).
The blood separates into three layers: red blood cells, platelet-rich plasma, and platelet-poor plasma after ten minutes in the centrifuge. The doctor then draws the platelet-rich plasma using a syringe and injects it into that part of the scalp that needs increased hair growth. The growth factors promote the production of collagen and hormones like:
- Platelet-derived Growth Factor (PDGF): The compound facilitates cell replication and skin and blood vessel growth
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF): The hormone supports the development of blood vessels
- Transforming Growth-Factor-Beta (TGF-b): The compound helps in the growth of the matrix between body cells
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF): The hormone facilitates cell growth, collagen production, and blood vessel formation.
PRP in Dubai therapy involves the use of a special machine (centrifuge) to separate the blood components for the extraction of the platelet-rich plasma.
PRP therapy in Dubai may take several weeks to start working. Patients treating hair loss may need to wait for six months to notice its full effects. In fact, they may need to repeat the procedure every 3-6 months to maintain the results.
Experienced physicians can make accurate injections on the scalp, shoulder, elbow, ankle, knee joints, and quadriceps without the need to perform imaging. By concentrating the platelets on the injured area, the growth factors are multiplied five times.
PRP therapy is not ideal for people with extreme hair loss or those with severe cases of tendinosis. The therapy is also not suitable for treating hair loss if the patient:
- Has a history of bleeding disorders, taking blood thinners, hepatitis, or clotting problems. Such conditions affect the quality of platelets
- Has health conditions like thyroid diseases or lupus as they also cause hair loss. This is because the hair loss problem is a result of the disease and the medication too
- Has skin cancer or an infection on the scalp as the therapy could aggravate the condition
PRP therapy in Dubai is increasingly popular for treating hair loss because:
- It is safe: The therapy uses the patient's blood cells reducing the risk of rejection or developing allergic reactions
- Convenience: The patient can resume regular activities immediately after the procedure
- Minimal discomfort: Since PRP therapy does not involve surgery you only experience a minor discomfort
- Effective: You may notice results three months after the procedure, but its full effects might be visible after a year
- Versatile treatment: The treatment is also ideal for replacing facial hair
Suitable candidates can go for PRP in Dubai therapy in a range of clinics including:
- Kaya Skin clinic
- Dynamic clinic
- Euromed clinic center
- King's College Hospital
Yes, it is the safest hair loss therapy. Unlike other treatments, PRP therapy in Dubai involves drawing the patient’s blood. As such, no foreign substances are entering the body during treatment.
Also, the procedure is minimally-invasive, so you don’t have to worry about stitches or incisions. The therapy is administered using injections: first to draw blood and to inject the plasma-rich-platelets into the scalp.
The procedure minimizes infection significantly and eliminates the pain associated with the trauma inflicted on tissues during surgery. What’s more, the fact that you don’t have to stay in the hospital to get treatment means you don’t need to worry about extended hospital stays or disrupting your normal routine.
PRP therapies are divided into four families based on the fibrin architecture and type of cell content used. They include:
- The Pure Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy is the most common PRP therapy. Also known as Leukocyte Poor PRP, the therapy does not contain leukocytes (white blood cells) and low density of fibrin after activation. It is available in the form of an activated gel or a liquid solution; hence, it can be injected or placed on a skin wound
- Leukocyte and Platelet Rich Plasma (L-PRP): The solution has a high amount of white blood cells and is available in the form of an anti-coagulated liquid or an activated gel. As such, it can be injected or placed on the wound
- Pure Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF): The therapy involves the use of solutions with high-density fibrin networks without white blood cells. The solution is available in an activated gel form hence can't be injected or used like traditional fibrin liquids. It is also suitable for treating orthopedic problems, but it's relatively expensive in comparison with other forms of PRF
- Leukocyte and Platelet-Rich Fibrin: Solutions for this therapy have a high amount of white blood cells and a high-density of the fibrin network. The products are available in a strong activated gel form hence can't be injected on the scalp. However, the strong fibrin matrix makes them suitable for other applications
But note, PRP therapy in Dubai does not provide a permanent solution for hair loss. As such, patients need to go for annual follow-ups to maintain the results.
PRP in Dubai costs an average of 600-3000 AED per session. The cost may, however, vary based on the individual’s extent of hair loss.
PRP therapy may be more expensive than hair transplantation as the patient needs to attend more than one session to realize full hair growth results. On the other hand, hair transplant surgery involves extracting hair follicles from one site of the scalp to another. As such, the patient does not need to attend multiple sessions to restore the hair’s thickness and volume.
It is worth every penny because it reduces the number of hair lost every day and stimulates the growth of new hair. It is a painless procedure that makes it a viable solution to patients who don’t want to undergo surgery.
The doctor may advise you to lie down for up to 30 minutes after the procedure. You might experience itching, soreness, or redness for 2-5 days. You also need to avoid:
- Heat exposure or rigorous exercise two days after treatment
- Taking alcohol, smoking, or caffeine three days after treatment
- Using blood thinning agents like Vitamin A, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin E, and essential fatty acids for a week
- When can we go home after the PRP?
- Keep the area dry and clean
- Leave the bandage on the head for 12-24 hours and replace it with a Band-Aid regularly until the area heals
- Avoid applying ice to the injected region as it acts as an anti-inflammatory. The therapy is designed to cause the area to swell to facilitate healing
- If you are experiencing extreme pain (24-48 hours), use tramadol (Tylenol). Avoid over-dosing (taking more than the recommended 3000 mg) within 24 hours
- Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, Naproxen, or Ibuprofen for two weeks because they suppress the healing process
You need to drink lots of water and fiber. Avoid taking narcotics as they can cause constipation, but if you can’t do without a morning cup of tea, follow it up with a stool softener like Colace. Also, empty your bowels regularly. Avoid staying for more than three days without a bowel movement.
No, you don’t. However, if the doctor has prescribed antibiotics, continue taking them as directed. It would help if you also took connective tissue support vitamins and cream as they enhance healing.
You can take a shower 24 hours after the therapy to promote PRP-healing effects. However, you should avoid scrubbing the injected area and use pH-balanced shampoo during the first three days. Also, avoid steam rooms, saunas, and swimming two days after the treatment.
You can wash the hair after two days using a pH-balanced shampoo. Be sure to keep the area clean and dry.
When buying a shampoo post PRP in Dubai, avoid products that contain sodium myreth sulfate, sodium lauryl, ammonium lauryl, and Cocamidopropyl betaine. While sulfates act as degreasers, they can irritate the injected area and strip your hair of essential oils.
Yes, but you need to rest for at least three hours before wetting your hair. If you have to wash it, avoid using hair products six hours after treatment.
When washing the scalp, avoid applying color for at least 72 hours as the harsh chemicals can irritate the injected area and aggravate pain. Also, avoid straightening the hair for three days.
A prime candidate for PRP in Dubai needs to visit the clinic several times to maintain and realize the full effects of the therapy. The first visit should be 4-6 weeks after the procedure. After then, the patient needs to go for regular appointments every 4-6 months.
The scalp feels a little tight immediately after the procedure. You may also feel sore and itchy, which disappears within a few days.
Yes, the doctor may prescribe a topical ointment or a soothing healing ointment like Vaniply or Aquafor. Sometimes, the scalp may develop pus, pain (unresponsive to OTC pain relievers), fever, and increased warmth around the treated area. The topical ointment helps eliminate such infection. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics.
The procedure is safe as the doctor uses the patient’s blood. However, you may develop discomfort as a result of the blood draw, including feeling a slight pinch related to the needle insertion and bruising at the blood draw site. Other side effects include:
- Visible injection marks which resolve within a few days
- Mild bruising or swelling after skin injections
- Irritation, pain or bleeding at the injection site
- Temporary tenderness which lasts a few days
- Bumps or lumps which represent swelling or bruising
- Temporary itching treated with over-the-counter antihistamines
The concept originated in the 1970s. Hematologists had created the term PRP to describe plasma that contains a high amount of platelets. A decade later, PRP was used in maxillofacial surgery. At the time, doctors used the therapy as PRF as it had homeostatic properties.
Since then, PRP has been applied in the musculoskeletal field to treat different sports injuries. More recently, researchers started using PRP in dermatology to aid in wound healing, tissue regeneration, alopecia, scar revision, and skin rejuvenating effects.
In 2006, researchers discovered PRP’s potential to promote hair growth. Since then, PRP has been postulated as a new therapy for treating alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia. Studies have since been published to support the effectiveness of PRP therapy to treat the conditions.
Hair transplantation is a cosmetic procedure that treats excessive hair fall and baldness by transplanting hair from areas with excessive growth to regions with little or no hair. There are two types of hair transplantation: FUT and FUE. The techniques help reduce hair loss while maintaining a natural-looking growth of the hair.
PRP also curbs hair loss by introducing growth factors to bald areas of the head to promote hair re-growth. The treatment involves drawing the patient’s blood to extract platelet-rich plasma as it is the part of the blood that promotes hair growth. PRP is ideal for people with excessive hair thinning, and an effective remedy for thickening the hair, reducing shedding and re-activating dormant follicles.
