Two Proven In-Office Procedures to Address Hair Loss
If you're facing hair loss, there is good news. Together, we can explore two highly effective in-office procedures: PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and mesotherapy. Both are designed to address hair loss with minimal downtime. Let's weigh the pros and cons of each and discover which approach might be ideal for your situation.
These treatments are typically performed by a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. There is a slight amount of discomfort involved because we need to numb the front of your scalp. Both procedures involve micro-needles injected across the scalp, and your comfort is the priority.
Understanding Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy has a threefold goal. First, we want to increase blood circulation to the scalp. Second, we aim to improve nutrient delivery to the hair follicles. Third, we want to lower the impact of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a key driver of hair loss.
The mesotherapy solution can be a combination of medications, minerals, or vitamins. Common medications include dutasteride, finasteride, or minoxidil. During the procedure, extremely tiny, short needles are used—targeting exactly the hair bulge, where stem cells reside. The objective is to deliver these agents directly to this area to stimulate new hair growth, getting the most benefit for your effort.
To ensure you're super comfortable, a ring block is typically performed. You receive injections around the scalp—here, here, and here—which numbs the area for a couple of hours. During the procedure, you should feel almost no discomfort, and you'll leave with a numb scalp, meaning no pain afterward.
Frequency is key. My recommendation is to undergo mesotherapy three months in a row—one, two, and three—to build the concentration in the scalp to the appropriate level. After that, you come in every three to four months for maintenance, much like Botox injections.
Mesotherapy is safe for both men and women and effective for many hair loss conditions, including androgenetic alopecia (the most common form), alopecia areata, and telogen effluvium (excessive hair shedding). The only caution is for women trying to get pregnant, currently pregnant, or breastfeeding—you should avoid mesotherapy with medications like dutasteride, finasteride, and minoxidil. Men can safely use mesotherapy with minoxidil even when their partner is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Patients love that recovery is almost nonexistent. You can go right back to work, and no one will know you had treatment since injections are hidden across your scalp. If you have any discomfort, ibuprofen or Motrin helps. Some swelling under the eyelids might occur the next day due to the ring block fluid settling, but it resolves in a few days. Overall, it's a simple, routine procedure you look forward to.
Exploring PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)
PRP involves taking a small amount of your blood and spinning it down with a high-powered machine to concentrate the platelet layer. Inside this layer are growth factors. When these are injected into the scalp down to the hair bulge, they can stimulate new hair growth.
Like mesotherapy, micro-needles are used, and we ensure comfort with a ring block across both sides of the scalp. After numbing, 100 to 150 injections target areas of hair loss, low density, or baldness.
Consistency is vital. You do a treatment in months one, two, and three, followed by maintenance every three to four months. This ensures the growth factors reach the hair bulge to stimulate growth.
PRP is very safe for both men and women because you're donating your own blood. It treats the same hair loss conditions as mesotherapy. An extra benefit is that PRP is safe if you're trying to get pregnant, currently pregnant, or breastfeeding. I encourage PRP during those life stages if you're experiencing hair loss.
Recovery is simple. You can resume daily activities immediately, though rigorous exercise like gym workouts or heavy lifting should be avoided. Discomfort can be managed with Advil, Motrin, or Tylenol. Swelling under the eyes might occur the next day from the ring block fluid, but it resolves within a couple of days.
Comparing the Two: Which Is Right for You?
Both mesotherapy and PRP are effective, with research supporting their ability to stimulate new hair growth. However, I have a proclivity to recommend mesotherapy as a first-line treatment. Here's why: with PRP, there is variability. If I draw your blood on a Monday versus a Friday, your platelet level with growth factors differs. Between individuals, the amount of growth factor in the platelet layer varies significantly, impacting the treatment's ability to stimulate growth. In contrast, mesotherapy offers a known, precise concentration of what we inject, eliminating that variability.
That doesn't mean PRP isn't valuable. I perform many PRP procedures. It's an excellent option for those who don't want medication or for anyone who is pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. Both treatments work. But when I weigh the consistency, mesotherapy is my first recommendation.
I hope this empowers you to consider one of these two procedures. You now have clear options to explore. If you have questions I haven't addressed about PRP or mesotherapy, you can always ask. I am here on your journey to address your hair loss and help you maintain your progress.