WHAT IS ALOPECIA IN WOMEN?

Excessive or abnormal hair loss is known as alopecia. Women having thinning hair and experiencing loss of hair is not uncommon and can occur in women of all ages. We have seen women as young as 19 years of age with hair loss problem. Often this hair-loss in women, called androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) is linked to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of a male hormone called testosterone. Most commonly these women have a diffuse thinning of hair on all areas of the scalp, and excessive shedding is noticed during shower and on the pillow when they wake up in the morning. This hormonal hair loss is linked to ovarian cysts, taking high androgen index birth control pills, pregnancy and menopause. Heredity also plays a role. The hormone DHT appears to be causing miniaturization of hair follicles in these women. Some hair follicles become dormant.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR TO TREAT THIS CONDITION?

Various treatments are used for the female androgenetic hair loss, including minoxidil, oral antiandrogens, and low level laser treatment. Women rarely require hair transplant, unlike men with hair loss.

WHAT IS NEW?

Recently platelet rich plasma, in short PRP, has been showing promise in treating hair loss in both men and women. Women however seem to respond better, and men would benefit from PRP treatments especially after hair transplant. A recent study published in the April 30, 2018 issue of Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology has shown that Platelet Rich Plasma injections had a positive effect on improvement in hair density and hair diameter.

HOW IT WORKS?

It appears that the growth factors released by platelets seem to “wake up” the dormant hair follicles, and stimulate new tissues, blood vessels and in a way enhance the fullness, health and growth of the follicles. And this is sustained for a good amount of time requiring less frequent subsequent sessions. One patient noticed decreased falling of hair during shower within a few days after starting the PRP treatment in NJ (Fig 1). Most people require 5-8 sessions done at 1-month intervals (though this might vary). Women seem to need less number of sessions than men to begin noticing the improvement. Just like many cosmetic treatments individual results vary and some patients may not respond fully.

Fig 1

HOW IS IT DONE?

We first do a detailed medical evaluation and if necessary some blood tests to rule out other conditions for hair loss, often in collaboration with your own physician and other specialists. Once initial evaluation is done about 4 tablespoons of blood is drawn and processed thru a dual spin technology with an FDA approved centrifuge and platelet rich plasma is extracted and this is injected in to the scalp using a very fine needle. Pain control is achieved thru numbing cream and/or numbing injection. The entire preparation and procedure takes approximately 60-90 minutes. It may be challenging to obtain the required amount of blood in those people with difficult veins, and in those cases they may not be candidates for this treatment, and hence initial consultation is helpful.

NEXT STEPS

Please call +1 732 777 9577 to schedule your initial consultation to see if PRP treatment is right for you.

CAUTION

This is a medical procedure and should be performed only by a Licensed and certified Physician. It is also important to note that studies have shown the Dual spin technology to be yielding higher quantity of platelets than the cheaper Single spin technology.

WHAT IS THE COST?

National cost for the procedure varies from $1600- $2700 per session that covers the cost of the kits, supplies, professional time and the overhead. Since this is an elective off-label cosmetic procedure, normally this procedure is not covered by health insurance.

©Anara Medspa & Cosmetic Laser Center LLC and Ram Chandra, MD No part of this article including the pictures may be copied or distributed, in part or whole without the written permission of the author.