PRP Treatment: Cost, Procedure, And Side Effects

PRP treatment is a substance injected into your body and promotes healing and hair regrowth. Researchers isolate plasma-rich platelets to help with this treatment. This plasma is then injected into the damaged tissues, and this helps your body to grow new, healthy cells and promote the healing process. 

Since the tissue growth factors are concentrated, the researcher thinks that it is a healthy healing process and hair growth. To learn more about prp treatment cost, procedure, and side effects, keep reading this article.

The Purpose of PRP Injections

According to research, PRP injections help in promoting hair growth. During the treatment, the doctors inject platelet-rich plasma into the affected areas of your scalp. Based on research conducted in 2014, these injections help in treating androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness.

These injections also help in treating the following;

• Tendon injuries
• Acute injuries
• Postsurgical repair
• Osteoarthritis

Preparing for PRP Injections

Preparing for PRP injections depends on how you will receive the injections. This is because these injections can be injected in separate ways. Sometimes the doctor can apply a topical numbing agent to your scalp before the injection. If this is the case, you will need to arrive earlier at the treatment clinic.

Sometimes they will use local anesthesia mixed with the PRP to help reduce the discomfort. If this is the case, you will need to follow your doctor’s instructions before the surgery.

Procedure for PRP Injections

Here is the process of PRP treatment;

• The doctor draws a blood sample from your body. The amount of blood collected will depend on the treatment area.
• Blood samples will then be placed in the centrifuge. This is a machine that spins around fast and makes the blood components separate into different layers. The process takes about 15 minutes to complete.
• The Health provider will then take the separated plasma and prepare it for injection into your scalp. Then the last step will be to inject the plasma into the affected areas of your scalp.

PRP Treatment Cost

PRP treatment cost is not covered by health insurance. Therefore, you might have to pay out of pocket. The costs vary based on different factors. Because this procedure is considered experimental. Most insurance companies are waiting for scientific research to be concluded to fully cover it.

Typically the cost for these injections ranges from $15000 to $3500 for the first three treatments. One injection costs $400 or more.

Potential Side Effects of PRP Treatment

Since this treatment involves the use of injections, you will experience some complications. PRP treatment contains substances that come directly from your body, and this reduces the risk of experiencing an allergic reaction. But the injection itself has some risks. These are;

• Infections
• Nerve injuries
• Pain at the injection site
• Tissue damage

Before seeing the doctor for this treatment, make sure to discuss these potential risks and the steps to take to reduce them.

The Recovery Time for PRP Injections

When the PRP treatment has been injected after an injury, your doctor will recommend you rest. But these injections are more related to the injury and less in the PRP injection. Most people can go on with their activities after the injections. Since these injections help in promoting growth or healing, you might not notice the immediate difference after these injections.

But in some months, the healing process will start to heal, and more hair will grow.

If you are on any medications, make sure to inform your doctor. During the consultation, the doctor will recommend against the following

• Blood thinners
• Heavy smoking
• History of drug or alcohol

You might not be the best candidate for this treatment if you have been diagnosed with the following conditions;

• Cute or chronic infections
• Cancer
• Chronic liver disease
• Hemodynamic instability
• Metabolic ailment
• Sepsis
• Low platelet count
• Thyroid disease
• Systemic disorder

Conclusion  

Suppose you are suffering from hair loss; you can consider PRP treatment. It is proven to help promote and regrow lost hair. Since the doctor uses your own blood components, you do not need to worry regarding its safety. Talk to your doctor to help determine if you are an ideal candidate for this treatment. Also, make sure you consult on the PRP treatment cost during the consultation to know what you are exactly going for.