PRP Hair Rejuvenation vs. Hair Transplant in Houston, TX
It is normal to lose some hair strands here and there, as it is part of the typical hair growth cycle. When you lose hair strands, they are naturally meant to grow back. A situation whereby the hair isn’t growing back is not normal.
This may be due to certain illnesses, hormonal changes, stress, aging, and inherited conditions. Hair loss could result in emotional stress, overly self-consciousness, and low self-esteem, which explains the need for hair loss treatment.
A series of treatments have been developed for hair loss, but the popular ones remain hair transplant and PRP hair loss treatment. PRP is a simple medical procedure in which the body’s natural proteins stimulate hair growth. A hair transplant involves the surgical moving of healthy hairs to the areas of the scalp without hair or with thinning hair.
In this article, we will compare the two popular treatments, PRP Hair Rejuvenation vs. Hair Transplant. Continue reading to learn more about these hair loss treatments.
PRP Hair Rejuvenation in Memorial Houston, Tx
PRP Hair Rejuvenation in Memorial Houston, Tx
PRP hair rejuvenation is a non-surgical hair restoration treatment that is used to treat hair loss. It’s a three-step medical treatment in which an individual’s blood is drawn, processed into plasma rich in platelets, concentrated, and then injected into the scalp.
It works by stimulating healthy hair growth from dormant follicles and encouraging the growth of thicker hair strands from thinning hair.
Hair Transplant Surgery
Hair transplant surgery is a surgical hair loss treatment that involves moving healthy hair from a region full of hair to a bald area on the scalp or area with thinning hair. It’s a surgical and invasive hair loss solution that offers good results.
It used to be more popular, but the discovery of restoration methods like PRP has made it an unpopular choice as more people now prefer PRP for hair loss treatment.
Origin and Development
The science and history behind PRP
The use of extracts of growth factors and cytokines for healing by clinicians dates back to the early 1940s. Kingsley used the term ‘platelet-rich plasma’ for the first time in 1954. PRP became more popular by the 1970s.
PRP was earlier used for healing, repair, regenerating, and skin rejuvenation purposes, and since it’s been found to be effective, the approach was later adopted for hair loss treatment.
Evolution of hair transplant techniques
Hair transplants date as far back as the early 18th to 19th century. The modern era of hair transplantation in the Western world was around the late 1950s when New York dermatologist Norman Orentreich began experimenting with free donor grafts to balding areas in patients with male baldness.
Orentreich demonstrated that such grafts were donor-dominant as the new hair grew and lasted just as they would have at their original home. New approaches and techniques of hair transplant are being discovered frequently.
Hair transplant surgery has evolved greatly over time, becoming more refined and minimally invasive.
Procedure Complexity
Procedure Complexity
PRP: Simplicity of drawing blood and re-injecting plasma
Regarding procedural complexity, PRP hair loss treatment is most likely one of the few simple treatments for hair loss.
It’s a three-step procedure that involves drawing blood from an individual, then separating the blood components by spinning it at a high speed in a centrifuge, and finally injecting the PRP into the individual’s scalp in areas where there is no hair.
Hair Transplant: Complexity of follicle extraction and transplantation
In hair transplant, the procedure starts with a surgeon shaving down the hair in the area where the follicles will be removed and around the area where the follicles will be transplanted. The follicles will be removed from the skin using a micro punch tool.
The surgeon then makes a series of tiny incisions using a sterilized needle or a small, sharp tool in the area where the extracted follicles will be inserted. Finally, the follicles will be inserted into the incisions.
PRP
Duration and Frequency
Time taken for one session
Appointments are quick and typically take 30 to 60 minutes based on how many treatment areas are included in your treatment plan.
Recommended frequency of sessions
It’s recommended to start with 3 to 4 treatments, each typically spaced one month apart. After completing your entire treatment sessions, you can expect to see the results of the treatment within four to six weeks.
Hair Transplant
Duration of the surgery
You can expect a hair transplant to take between four to eight hours. Most patients are administered anesthesia to numb the scalp so that they don’t feel pain.
Typical one-time procedure vs. Multiple sessions
Hair transplant surgery typically offers excellent results after a one-time procedure. If an individual is experiencing further hair loss or some significant initial hair loss, multiple treatment sessions may be needed.
One can have two or more hair transplant procedures, provided you have an adequately rich donor area.
Invasiveness and Pain
PRP
Minimal invasiveness
PRP treatment is minimally invasive, so it has fewer risks and complications. Both the extraction of the blood and injection of the PRP are carried out using a syringe.
Pain or discomfort levels
PRP is also a low-pain hair restoration method. The extraction of blood and the injection of PRP into the scalp are both associated with tolerable pain and mild discomfort.
Hair Transplant
Surgical invasiveness
Hair transplant surgery invasiveness varies depending on the hair transplant technique the provider is using.
While transplant surgery has come a long way from the days of hair plugs, strip harvesting of donor’s hair, and long, visible linear scars, the recent hair transplant surgery using the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique is minimally invasive.
It has helped eliminate most of the downsides associated with traditional hair transplant surgery.
Pain management during and post-surgery
The pain experienced after hair transplant surgery varies. It is normal to experience some mild pain in the area up to two weeks after surgery, especially with follicular unit transplant. The associated pain naturally declines days after the procedure.
A cold compress is the easiest way to manage pain post-surgery. You will also receive post-surgery instructions from your surgeon.
Recovery Time
PRP
Immediate recovery
PRP hair restoration treatment doesn’t require a long-term recovery. You recover almost immediately after the procedure and can return to your regular activities. You may still feel scalp pain for a few weeks, but nothing too intense.
Possible short-term side effects
PRP is only associated with minimal side effects, including nausea, scalp pain, and irritation during healing. These are short-term issues and will be resolved in no time.
Hair Transplant
Post-surgical healing time
The recovery time is around 10 to 14 days, but it takes 8 to 10 weeks to heal completely. It takes up to ten months to 1 year for the definitive results to emerge in post-operative hair transplantation.
Potential complications
Hair transplant is associated with complications such as minor postoperative pain, itching, dissatisfaction related to the procedure’s outcome, and surgical complications such as infection, poor wound healing, or skin necrosis.
Efficacy and Results
Efficacy and Results
PRP
Gradual and natural-looking improvements
PRP treatment is highly effective in addressing hair loss and hair thinning. In addition, it also works to promote healthy and thicker hair growth. It offers natural-looking results through natural mechanisms.
Duration of effectiveness
PRP is not a permanent hair loss treatment. You will obtain good new and healthy hair growth lasting 18 to 24 months. It’s highly recommended to go for touch-up treatments once a year to maintain the results.
Hair Transplant
Immediate visible changes
You observe visible changes two weeks after your hair transplant, such as hair shedding from the recipient’s area. The signs of healing are also becoming more visible around this time.
Longevity of results
Hair transplant surgery offers permanent results. Successful, well-performed hair transplants will last a lifetime and follow the natural aging pattern.
PRP Hair Rejuvenation Cost Analysis in Memorial Houston, Tx
PRP
Cost per session
The cost of a single injection can range from $400 to $1300. The standard of the materials employed and the treatment site affect the cost of the treatment. Multiple injections are needed every few months until the main cycle is completed.
Cumulative cost over multiple sessions
The cumulative cost for PRP hair restoration treatment over multiple sessions is $1,500 to $4,000, depending on the number of sessions.
Hair Transplant
One-time surgical cost
Depending on the procedure and clinic, hair transplant surgery can range from $3,000 to more than $15,000.
Additional costs (e.g., post-operative care)
Hair transplants can be offered as an all-one, where you won’t need to pay any additional cost. You may also be required to pay extra for every other service and treatment in addition to the surgery cost. This could range from $1,500 to $3,000.
Maintenance and Upkeep
PRP
Need for regular sessions
PRP hair restoration requires adequate maintenance to increase the longevity of your results. You should schedule follow-up treatment once a year or six months, depending on the duration of your results.
Post-treatment care
It would help to have post-treatment care for results upkeep and maintenance. Avoid vigorous exercise, sun, and heat exposure for five days post-treatment. Minimize your alcohol, caffeine, and cigarette consumption for two days before and after treatment. Do not use hair products for at least 8 hours after treatment.
Hair Transplant
Post-surgery care
Patients are also advised to use the unique pillow they get at the clinic for the first 7-10 days and sleep on their back with their heads on it.
Use the medications prescribed to minimize the side effects of the procedure as it should be used.
Avoid strenuous exercises or activities immediately after your treatment. Only opt for exercises that do not make you sweat too much.
Avoid alcohol consumption for two weeks post-surgery.
Stay away from the sun to avoid the sun exposure. Wear a hat to cover your scalp if you must go under the sun.
Long-term maintenance
After new hair growth, practice an excellent hair care routine to maintain the transplant results.
Go for follow-up maintenance treatments.
Suitability
PRP
Ideal candidates
PRP is ideal for individuals suffering from genetic hair loss, aging, or issues with the scalp or hair follicles. Individuals who have hair transplants and want to complement the results of the surgery can also get PRP treatment. It’s not ideal for people with blood, bleeding, clotting disorders, or scalp infections.
Situations where PRP may be preferred
Doctors may recommend PRP therapy if you cannot get a different type of hair recovery treatment, especially in conditions such as Androgenetic alopecia, a common condition that causes hair follicles to shrink. It’s also an option for individuals who want a low-risk and minimally invasive hair loss solution.
Hair Transplant
Ideal candidates
Individuals with significant hair loss, good donor area hair, a healthy scalp, and good general health are ideal candidates for hair transplant surgery. The individual is also required to have reasonable expectations from the procedure.
Scenarios best suited for transplantation.
If you’re experiencing pattern baldness or have experienced hair thinning or loss but have issues such as blood or clotting disorders, you should opt for a hair transplant.
Risks and Complications
PRP
Potential allergic reactions
Some patients may experience allergic reactions to the anesthesia used to numb the scalp.
Variability in results
The efficacy of PRP is primarily due to the release of various growth factors (GF), interleukins, cytokines, and other essential factors. The release of these factors can occur in varying proportions in different individuals, leading to varying outcomes post-treatment.
PRP hair restoration results last longer on certain individuals than others, and individuals also require more sessions to obtain the desired results.
Hair Transplant
Risk of scarring
Scarring is an inevitable result of all hair transplant techniques. The follicular unit extract procedure may provide a less noticeable type of scarring and be a better fit for some people. Aftercare is also essential to minimize the risk of having extremely visible scars.
Unnatural appearance if done improperly
Hair transplant surgery requires a high level of skill and expertise and should be handled by an experienced and trained professional. The reason is the risk of unnatural appearance in results if not done by a professional.
Conclusion
Both PRP Hair Rejuvenation and hair transplant have their strengths and weaknesses. A hair transplant offers permanent results and doesn’t require frequent follow-up treatments. On the other hand, PRP isn’t as invasive or painful as a hair transplant. It is safer than a hair transplant.
If you’ve personal preferences for either of the treatment options, all you need to do is consult a medspa professional to determine your eligibility for the one you prefer. It’s recommended to consult a specialist for expert guidance on the most suitable option for you.
