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The field of regenerative medicine is ever-evolving and doctors have found plenty of different applications for it. One of its popular uses is hair restoration. Patients with hair loss can greatly benefit from either regenerative PRP injection or stem cell therapy to naturally regrow their hair and improve their scalp condition. However, there are several differences between the two treatments.
So which hair loss treatment is more effective — PRP or stem cell therapy? Both hair loss treatments are considered effective and provide long-lasting results. However, PRP hair treatment is generally less risky as the injections are derived just from the blood while stem cells may be harvested from the bone marrow or fatty tissue. In some cases, doctors may recommend administering PRP with stem cells for optimal hair growth results.
Let Dr. V and our staff help you discover the true beauty hiding within. Book your consultation with us today to learn more about your ideal cosmetic treatment.
Men and women can experience some form of hair loss at any point in their life. Most hair loss conditions can be hereditary, like androgenic alopecia, and its symptoms naturally as you get old. Fortunately, there are advanced solutions that can help reverse hair thinning and stimulate healthy hair growth.
Two of the best hair loss treatments today are platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy. These are regenerative treatments that essentially work by repairing damaged tissue and existing hair follicles to allow new hair to grow. Some of the benefits of PRP and stem cell hair treatment are:
One of the main differences between PRP therapy and stem cell hair treatment is their mechanism of action and method of preparation. While they’re both autologous treatments, they also come from different sources which influence how the procedures work for hair restoration.
Here’s a table that can help you better understand how the two hair regrowth treatments work:
| Stem Cell Therapy | PRP Hair Treatment | |
| Description | Stem cell injections are a type of autologous hair transplantation treatment that can enhance stem cell activity to regenerate damaged scalp tissues and repair hair follicles. | PRP therapy is a non-surgical procedure that delivers concentrated platelets and growth factors to stimulate wound healing, hair follicle repair, and new hair growth. |
| Source | This hair loss treatment uses adult stem cells or mesenchymal stem cell injections derived from the patient’s adipose tissue. | The injections are derived from a patient’s blood, which is then centrifuged to obtain a high concentration of platelets and different essential growth factors. |
| Which types of hair loss can the treatment address | Stem cell therapy can help treat most kinds of hair loss, such as androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. | PRP is an excellent option for treating androgenic alopecia and addressing early signs of thinning hair. |
| How it encourages new hair regrowth | When the fat cells are injected into the scalp, they interact with the hair follicles which help grow healthier and thicker hair. | The growth factors and platelets in the PRP injection help increase blood supply to the scalp and hair follicles which results in healthier hair growth. |
| Overview of preparation and injection procedure | - During a stem cell hair treatment, the provider will first perform a punch biopsy to obtain a sample of adipose tissue. - The extracted tissue is then centrifuged to separate the stem cells. - The suspended stem cells are injected into the areas with visible hair loss. | - To obtain PRP injections, the provider will first draw a small amount of blood from the patient. - The sample will be centrifuged to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the red blood cells and white blood cells. -The PRP is then put in a syringe and injected into the areas that need hair growth. |
| Rate of effectiveness | A study shows that stem cell therapy can provide at least a 29% increase in hair thickness and density within 23 weeks of treatment. | Compared to hair loss medications and stem cell therapy, a report shows that PRP can provide up to 50% improvement in hair growth and 30% improvements in hair thickness and density. |
Both hair regeneration techniques are relatively new and still being studied. The initial records of stem cell therapy for hair loss can be found in the early 2000s, while PRP injections were first considered as a potential hair restoration treatment in 2006. Over the years, these procedures have shown great promise for effectively growing new hair. To help you choose which treatment to go for, it’s also important to consider its pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons | |
| PRP therapy | - Can address the root cause of hair loss by nourishing your scalp and hair follicles - Has fewer risks for allergic reaction, infection, or rejection since it’s an autologous, natural treatment - Has no downtime after the procedure - There’s minimal discomfort during the procedure | - May need more than one treatment to achieve optimal hair restoration results - May not be suited for patients with certain medical disorders, such as blood-related conditions (anemia or leukemia) |
| Stem cell therapy | - Less invasive than hair transplants - Helps regenerate damaged hair follicles in the scalp - Provides long-lasting results since the newly generated follicles may continue growing healthier hair | - There might be a higher risk of bleeding or infection, especially during the process of obtaining tissue or fat cells - There might be a risk of nerve damage during punch biopsy - Although rare, there could be possible tumor formation after injecting stem cells |
An average hair restoration treatment can cost anywhere between $3,000 to $15,000. If you’re thinking of getting stem cell therapy, one session may cost about $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the type and severity of hair loss being treated. Meanwhile, the price of one PRP injection ranges anywhere from $400 to $750 per session. Depending on how many injections you need, you can expect to pay about $1,500 to $3,500 for your PRP hair treatment.
Yes, you can get combination treatments for more optimal hair growth results. The application of stem cells with PRP injection can help enhance the effects of growth factors and platelets. They may also speed up the healing process and quickly repair the damaged hair follicle and tissue so you can quickly see its results.
On average, you can expect to see the effects of PRP and stem cell hair restoration within 6 to 8 months. Stem cells may also help sustain the results of PRP treatments so you’ll need fewer maintenance injections and enjoy natural hair regrowth for a longer time. If you want to get both hair loss solutions, you should consult with your provider and discuss a potential treatment plan.
Hair loss can be a distressing condition but regenerative medicine therapies, such as stem cells and PRP injections, are making it possible to safely and effectively regrow new and healthier hair. While you may need to wait for months to see its effects, their results can be long-lasting and help keep the signs of hair thinning at bay.
At Dr. V Medical Aesthetics, we offer safe and effective PRP treatments for hair restoration. We have a team of experienced specialists who can provide customized PRP therapy to effectively address your hair loss symptoms. Call us today to learn more about our PRP procedures and book your initial consultation.
Dr. V Medical Aesthetics is ready to help you achieve your beauty goals. Contact us today to learn more about any of our services, and exactly what our team can do for you.
