Stem Cell Hair Restoration vs. Hair Transplants
Hair Restoration: PRP & Stem Cells vs. Hair Transplants –
Up until recently, the only surefire hair restoration technique was expensive, painful and tedious hair transplant surgery. However, new developments in cellular technology now offer promising and effective non-surgical alternatives to hair transplants. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections and Stem Cell Injections are the latest, state-of-the-art hair restoration treatments that regrow hair without surgery.
In this article, New York, NY hair restoration expert Dr. Gary Goldenberg compares the latest PRP and Stem Cell hair restoration therapies with traditional hair transplants.
Hair Restoration: Hair Transplants
For years we’ve all seen those “Bosley” and other similar hair restoration commercials on TV. However, those ads never mention that what they offer is actually surgery.
Follicular Unit Transplantation or FUE hair transplant surgically removes hair follicles from one part of the body (typically the back of the head) and then transplants it into the balding areas of the scalp. The hair grafting procedure can take 10 to 12 hours or more, as each individual follicle needs to be placed into the scalp.
Some newer hair transplant technologies, like Smart Graft or ARTAS robotic hair transplant systems can reduce the amount of time slightly – to about 6 hours for 3000 grafts.
Local anesthesia as well as sedation is required for a hair transplant. Typically there is up to 3 days of downtime. Depending upon the method used, hair transplants may take 10 days to more than a month to be “undetectable”.
Men under 30 or who have just started losing their hair, will likely need additional transplants in the future as they age and their hair loss progresses. This is because hair transplants do NOT stop hair loss. Hair transplants just put new hair follicles where hair has gone missing.
Many hair transplant facilities charge by the graft – at 5-12 dollars per graft. Since a hair transplant can involve thousands of grafts, the price of a hair transplant can range from $5,000 to $20,000.
NonSurgical Stem Cell & PRP Hair Restoration
Two new, state-of-the-art hair restoration treatments are now available that regrow hair without surgery. These treatments are Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections and Stem Cell Injections. As leaders in medical hair restoration, we offer both PRP and Stem Cell hair regrowth at our New York, NY dermatology practice.
During stem cell hair restoration a few ounces of fat is extracted from the patient’s abdomen using a “mini” liposuction device. That fat is then spun in a special centrifuge machine, to isolate the stem cells. Once isolated, Dr. Goldenberg then injects the stem cells into the areas of the scalp affected by hair loss.
PRP Hair Restoration stands for “Platelet Rich Plasma”. It is a process in which blood is drawn from a patient, and then placed in a centrifuge to separate out the plasma. The plasma is rich in platelets which contain a growth factor that can stimulate the hair follicles.
The isolated plasma – containing up to 8 times the follicle stimulating “growth factor” of normal blood – is then injected into the patient’s scalp. Typically PRP Hair Loss Treatment works best on areas where there is some existing hair that is thinning, rather than on completely bald areas.
Both PRP and Stem Cell hair restoration stimulates new hair growth, as well as stops future hair loss.
Most stem cell hair restoration treatments are completed in under a few hours. PRP hair restoration only takes about an hour per session. There is no downtime, and no one will be able to tell you’ve had either procedure. Because the restored follicles still need time to grow the new hair, results may take a few weeks to several months.
Since both stem cell and PRP are 100% natural hair restoration treatments, anybody can safely undergo the procedures – even patients who are not good candidates for other types of hair loss treatments or hair transplants.
While both stem cell and PRP hair restoration typically require multiple sessions – the total cost is generally still far less than that of hair transplant surgery.
New York, NY Hair Restoration: Which is Best?
The only way to determine which hair restoration treatments are right for you is to schedule a consultation with an experienced hair loss and restoration doctor, like New York, NY dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldenberg.
He will help you understand the cause of your hair loss and establish a customized hair restoration treatment plan for your individual situation. In addition to Stem Cell and PRP Hair Restoration Treatments at our New York, NY office, we also offer highly effective hair restoration nutritional supplements, shampoos and lotions that can be used in conjunction with these procedures.
PRP Hair Loss Treatment FAQs –
How many PRP Hair Loss Treatments will I need?
For most patients, PRP hair loss therapy typically consists of only three treatments over a one month to six week period. Maintenance hair treatments are recommended every six months, to ensure ongoing scalp and follicle health.
However, every patient’s hair loss is different. Schedule an appointment at our New York Dermatologist’s office, and Dr. Goldenberg will discuss a treatment plan that’s right for you during your first visit.
Does PRP Hair Loss Treatment work for men and women?
Yes! PRP Hair Loss Treatment effectively treats androgenetic alopecia, which is the hereditary hair thinning that affects both men and women.
PRP may also be effective for women with traction alopecia, which is thinning caused by hair styling that pulls the hair out, such as too tight ponytails or heavy hair extensions.
Are their risks or side effects of PRP Hair Loss Treatments?
Because PRP is a 100% natural hair loss treatment, using only the body’s own platelets, it has no dangerous side effects or risks.
When performed in a licensed physician’s office, like our New York Dermatology practice, the procedure is extremely safe. While any injection site can be susceptible to infection, performing PRP under sterile doctor’s office conditions minimizes or eliminates any risk of infection.
An anesthetizing substance is used during PRP injections, for patient comfort. As with any anesthetic, a very small number of patients may have an adverse reaction to the “numbing” product. However, a reaction to the topical anesthetic is extremely rare and typically very mild.
Who is a good candidate for PRP Hair Loss Treatments?
Research shows that the best candidates for PRP Hair Loss Treatment are people who have more recently begun to lose hair. But PRP can also be an effective hair restoration treatment for some people who have experienced gradual hair thinning and loss over a period of years.
PRP will not restore hair loss due to certain underlying medical conditions such as anemia, hypothyroidism, lupus, or liver disease – which should be treated by a specialized physician. However, PRP’s concentrated healing factors may help restore hair loss caused by stress or the onset of a sudden illness.
At this time, PRP won’t work for anyone who’s completely bald and needs to completely regrow all lost hair.
As with almost any medical condition, the earlier you seek treatment the better the outcome. So schedule an appointment at our New York Dermatologist’s office to see if PRP – or one of our other state-of-the-art hair loss treatments – can help you.
PRP Hair Loss Treatments New York
We are one of very few medical practices in New York, or on the East Coast, offering these innovative and highly effective new hair loss treatments. PRP Hair Loss Treatment can also be combined with Stem Cell Hair Loss Treatment, and other hair restoration technologies, which we offer in our New York, NY dermatology office.
Call us today and schedule an appointment at our New York, NY to see which hair restoration treatments are right for you.
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