PRP and PRFM stimulate cell renewal and increase blood flow to inactive hair follicles, triggering an active growth phase. For many individuals experiencing hair loss or thinning, the result after these treatments is fuller, thicker, healthier hair.
PRP and PRFM for hair restoration
Within your very own blood is plasma that contains a high amount of nutrients, vitamins, and growth factors. This is important because those growth factors include dozens of platelets, which have the ability to wake up dormant hair follicles and create new hair growth. Over a series of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or PRFM (platelet-rich fibrin matrix) treatments, those who are unhappy with their hair loss may see remarkable results as soon as six months.
What’s the difference between PRP and PRFM?
Collection method
When platelet-rich plasma is collected, it’s placed within a vial that includes an additive that keeps the blood from clotting too fast. When platelet-rich fibrin is collected, there are no additives, making it a 100% natural and unmodified. This means that the PRF must be used quickly, or else it will clot.
Growth factor count
There are about 10 times more growth factors in platelet-rich fibrin than in platelet-rich plasma.
Spin speed and vial
With PRP, the spinning process is done manually. This means that occasionally, red or white blood cells may remain in the plasma. Because PRF is spun automatically, more slowly, and at a different angle than PRP, it results in more consistency and purity.
Longevity
The “M” in PRFM stands for “matrix”. This matrix comes into play after the plasma is collected, but before it’s injected. Once collected, the plasma is mixed with calcium chloride. This is done to give the platelet-rich fibrin a thicker consistency, thereby helping it to last longer. In addition, the PRFM doesn’t contain any blood-thinning additives like PRP does. This means that the functional benefits of PRFM stay active longer (one week) than the PRP (one day).
Diffusion
The consistency of the platelet-rich fibrin matrix causes the release and spread of growth factors to be slower than platelet-rich plasma, which results in the body being able to use the growth factors more efficiently.
Pricing
Platelet-rich fibrin treatments typically cost more than platelet-rich plasma treatments due to their larger growth factor count and effectiveness.
How is the treatment performed?
Before your treatment, we will draw blood from you. This blood will then be put inside a spinning device (centrifuge) to separate the components and help the plasma rise to the top of the vial. Once this process has been done, the plasma will be extracted and injected directly into targeted hair follicles within the scalp. (The area will be numbed beforehand so that you will not be in any discomfort.) Treatments take approximately one hour. During your consultation, Dr. Raggio will let you know how many treatments you may need.
Recovery and results
There is very minimal downtime after a PRP or PRFM treatment. The majority of patients go right back to their regular day after their appointment, with only mild side effects. These can include soreness, bruising, itching, and/or scabs in the treated area. Most patients see hair that is denser (and even sometimes darker) in about three months, with final results appearing at 6 to 12 months.
Why ALPRS for PRP and PRFM treatments?
Not only is Dr. Blake Raggio the only fellowship-trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon in the region; he also has specialty training in hair restoration, including PRP/PRFM. He is very happy to help both men and women suffering from hair loss restore their self-esteem with the treatment they need. He takes the time to educate each patient on how the procedure works, and what to expect. At the Alabama Center for Hair Restoration at ALPRS, you will receive personalized care, customized and cutting-edge treatment plans, and warm professionalism from true experts.
Blake Raggio
Facial Plastic Surgeon
