Using platelet-rich plasma to treat hair loss and thinning

It is an unfortunate fact of life that, male and female alike, we lose hair and/or have thinner hair as we age. The American Hair Loss Association states that two-thirds of men over 35 years of age show signs of hair loss (American Hair Loss Association, 2010). Although occurring more in men, hair loss also affects women, usually in their 50s and 60s. Every day, some hair is lost—while in the shower, brushing hair or drying or styling. In this chapter, the author will explain the reasons for hair loss and demonstrate how platelet-rich plasma is an extremely useful and highly successful treatment for this common problem.

On average, normal hair loss is under 100 hairs per day; and these are normally replaced by new, thicker hair, so the loss does not tend to be noticeable.

However, in the evolution of male and female pattern baldness, there tends to be a more definite manifestation of loss. As this is more obvious than generalised hair thinning, patients are increasingly looking for non-surgical ways to stimulate hair growth.