Hair loss is something that many people face at some point in their lives, whether due to genetics, age, stress, or health conditions.
While it’s a common concern, it can still feel frustrating and overwhelming. Fortunately, modern science has come up with solutions, and one of the most promising treatments for restoring hair is plasma therapy.
You might have heard of it, but what exactly is plasma therapy, and how does it work?
In this guide, we’ll break down the science behind plasma therapy for hair restoration, explaining how it works, what the process involves, and what you can expect in terms of results.
What Is Plasma Therapy for Hair Restoration?
Plasma therapy, also known as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, is a non-surgical treatment designed to stimulate hair growth by harnessing the power of your body’s natural healing processes.
In essence, it uses your own blood to boost hair follicle health and encourage new growth. The concept behind it is simple yet fascinating – it taps into the healing components already present in your blood to regenerate tissues and, in this case, revive hair follicles.
The process involves drawing a small amount of your blood, separating the platelet-rich plasma, or the part of your blood loaded with growth factors and healing proteins, and injecting it directly into the areas of your scalp experiencing hair thinning or hair loss.
It’s essentially your body’s way of giving your hair follicles a little wake-up call.
How Plasma Therapy Works
Let’s take a closer look at how plasma therapy works, step by step.
First, a small blood sample is taken from your arm, just like when you have a regular blood test. The blood is then placed into a machine that spins the blood rapidly to separate its components.
After a few minutes, the blood separates into red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma. The platelet-rich plasma is what we’re after as it contains growth factors that can stimulate the hair follicles.
Once the plasma is separated, it’s injected directly into the scalp where hair thinning is occurring. These injections are small and target the areas where your hair needs a little extra help to regrow.
The growth factors within the plasma help to encourage dormant hair follicles to start producing hair again, while also improving blood circulation in the scalp, which further supports healthy hair growth.
How Long Does a Plasma Therapy Treatment Take?
The treatment process itself is fairly quick. From start to finish, a plasma therapy session typically takes around 30 to 60 minutes. Most of that time is spent drawing your blood and separating the plasma.
The injections only take a few minutes to administer, and the procedure is done in a clinic setting, like our IK Clinics clinic.
If you’re worried about discomfort, there’s no need to be too concerned. Many patients describe the injections as mild and tolerable – similar to tiny pinpricks. Some clinics even offer a local anaesthetic to numb the scalp and make the procedure more comfortable, but most people find the discomfort to be minimal.
How Often Are Treatments Needed?
When it comes to plasma therapy, consistency is key. Like many hair restoration treatments, plasma therapy requires multiple sessions to achieve the best results.
Most people start with a series of three to four treatments, spaced about four to six weeks apart. This helps to give your scalp the best chance of responding to the therapy and sets the stage for long-term hair growth.
After the initial series of treatments, maintenance sessions are usually recommended every four to six months. These ongoing treatments help to ensure that the hair growth continues and that the benefits of the therapy are sustained over time.
However, the exact number of treatments you’ll need can vary depending on your individual hair loss situation and how well your body responds to the therapy.
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
One of the most important things to keep in mind with plasma therapy is that it’s a gradual process. You won’t walk out of the clinic with a full head of hair after just one session. It takes time for your hair follicles to respond to the growth factors in the plasma, and patience is essential.
In the first few weeks after your initial treatment, you may notice some subtle changes, such as an improvement in scalp health or a reduction in hair shedding. However, significant hair growth usually starts to become noticeable after about three to six months.
The new hair might start off thin, but over time, it will thicken as you continue with the maintenance treatments.
It typically takes around six to twelve months to see the full results of plasma therapy. While it might feel like a long time to wait, many people find that the gradual return of healthy, thick hair makes it well worth the effort.
What’s the Healing Process Like?
One of the benefits of plasma therapy is that the healing process is relatively short and easy. Since the treatment is non-invasive, there’s no significant downtime, and most people can return to their normal activities right away.
Immediately after the treatment, you might experience some mild redness, tenderness, or swelling at the injection sites, but these side effects typically go away within a day or two. Your scalp may feel a bit sensitive, but it won’t keep you from going about your daily routine.
Just make sure to avoid washing your hair for at least 24 hours after the treatment to give the plasma time to work its magic.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
Because plasma therapy uses your own blood, the risk of allergic reactions or serious side effects is extremely low.
This is one of the reasons why it’s considered a safe and effective treatment for hair restoration. The most common side effects are mild redness, swelling, or discomfort at the injection sites, and these symptoms typically subside within a few days.
In very rare cases, there could be an infection or complications at the injection site, but choosing a reputable clinic with experienced professionals will minimise the risk of these issues.
Before undergoing plasma therapy, it’s important to have a consultation with a specialist who can evaluate your hair loss and determine if this treatment is the right option for you.
Is Plasma Therapy the Right Choice for You?
Plasma therapy can be an excellent option for those experiencing early-stage hair thinning or pattern baldness.
It’s particularly effective for individuals with androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss. However, if you have extensive hair loss or scarring, plasma therapy may not be as effective.
Results can vary depending on the individual, and the best way to determine if plasma therapy is right for you is to consult with a hair restoration specialist, like our team at IK Clinics. They’ll assess your hair loss and discuss your goals to see if this treatment is a good fit for your needs.
Final Thoughts
Plasma therapy for hair restoration offers a promising, natural approach to combating hair loss. By using your body’s own growth factors to stimulate hair follicles, it provides a non-invasive, relatively painless solution to thinning hair.
While the process takes time and requires ongoing treatments, many people find it to be a worthwhile investment in their hair health.
If you’re looking for a way to restore your hair and regain confidence, plasma therapy might just be the solution you’ve been searching for. With the right specialist and a bit of patience, you could be well on your way to fuller, healthier hair.
About IK Clinics
At IK Clinics, we are proud to stay at the forefront of hair restoration trends, offering a variety of advanced techniques to meet the diverse needs of our clients. From FUE to Stem Cell Therapy, we ensure that every client’s treatment is tailored to their personal goals, helping them regain not just their hair but also their confidence.
Interestingly, we don’t just stop at hair restoration treatments, our highly skilled team also offers a range of anti-aging treatments.
