PRP (platelet rich plasma) therapy uses injections of a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. In this way, PRP uses each individual patient’s own blood cells to improve musculoskeletal problems. PRP injections are gaining popularity for a variety of conditions, from sports injuries to hair loss.
In which cases does PRP gives good results?
The therapy has also bagged an incredible success in treating diffuse hair loss, alopecia areata (known as spot baldness) and androgenic alopecia etc.
How is it given?
The specific place of a patient cleaned with disinfectant prior applying the injection. Later, the place is being paralyzed for 30-40 minutes by using topical anaesthetic or local anesthetic and in the meantime, injects the PRP therapy through insulin syringe. Patient can go home after 10 minutes of the therapy and can do everything normally.
Usually, patients can start reaping results after 3 months of the therapy. Patients have to undergo 8 to 12 months of treatment with a therapy in a month. The results depend on patients’ physical conditions and age. Medicines might be suggested besides the therapy for good results.
How is it made?
Of the three, a yellowish substance which is taken in an insulin syringe with utmost cautious is the PRP.
Side effect
Pain in infectious places, scalp infection, nerve damage and itching etc might be happen but all are temporary. There are no possibilities of brain cancer in future. Therapy recipients must avoid warm or cold therapy. One must have to refrain from alcohol.
Who should take it?
People who lack platelets, fibrinogen in blood can take the PRP. Besides, cancer patients, infections, lever patients and who take anticoagulation therapy (take regular warferin, heparin) can take the PRP.
How it works?
After injecting PRP, platelets release over 30 bioactive proteins and growth factors that enhance tissue regeneration and healing. The growth factors activate multiple types of cells required for tissue healing. They also stimulate protein production needed for regenerative processes including the formation of new blood vessels. The released proteins signal multiple types of healing cells to migrate into the area of injury and stimulate healing by growing new tissue.
No doubt, PRP is a breakthrough innovation in medical science. It should be remembered that the PRP can deal a lot of damage due to an inefficient hand. So, take PRP therapy following specialised doctors' suggestions.
Dr. Zahed Parvez
Assistant professor (hair expert and hair transplant), Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital & Dr Zahed’s Hair & Skinic, Panthapath, Dhaka