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PRP and ACell® Injection Therapy

Home/Hair Restoration & Transplant Surgery/PRP and ACell® Injection Therapy

The latest non-surgical treatment for thinning hair and hair loss combines Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and ACell® MatriStem® matrix. These activating components are combined to form a potent series of microinjections to stimulate, strengthen, and restore miniaturized hair follicles. Our hair restoration surgeon, Carrie A. Houssock, MD, FACS believes this effective injectable therapy has shown tremendous potential among well-qualified patients experiencing both genetic and non-hereditary types of hair loss. She is enthusiastic about offering this quick, minimally-invasive treatment to help male and female patients who want to prevent hair loss and regrow hair.

What is PRP and ACell® Injection Therapy?

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and ACell® injection therapy provides the scalp with growth factors that have the potential to activate weakened and thinning hair follicles and encourage hair growth. To create the PRP, the patient’s own blood is drawn the day of the procedure and is separated using a special, computerized centrifuge. The highly concentrated PRP is then combined with ACell® MatriStem® matrix. This creates a potent blend of growth factors and proteins that promote cellular regeneration and hair growth. Together, PRP and ACell® work synergistically, providing a steady supply of essential growth factors to the hair follicles, which can aid in slowing and may even improve the hair loss process in many patients.

What Are The Benefits of PRP and ACell® Injection Therapy?

While this application of PRP and ACell® is still relatively new, both show promise in other specialties, such as wound healing, orthopedics, and dentistry. However, for hair restoration, the use of ACell® and PRP is considered “off label.” Off label use of medical treatments is common practice. Initial clinical results have revealed that PRP and ACell® treatment can often offer the following benefits:

  • Prevention of further hair loss
  • Strengthening of weak hair
  • Stimulation of new hair growth

Who Is a Candidate for PRP and ACell® Injection Therapy?

Men and women experiencing genetic and non-hereditary types of hair loss can potentially be good candidates for PRP and ACell® injection therapy. Ideal candidates for PRP and ACell® are men and women who are already utilizing another non-surgical hair loss method such as Propecia® (finasteride), Rogaine®, Formula 82M, or low level laser therapy (LLLT) with a laser comb or cap. The reason for this is to position the hair in the maximal growing phase when the ACell® and PRP are provided. Those in the early stages of hair loss may benefit most from this injectable therapy, along with patients who have undergone hair transplant surgery and need an effective method for retaining non-transplanted hairs. The procedure is especially helpful for women with general hair thinning. Ultimately, your surgeon can evaluate your hair loss during a consultation and determine if PRP and ACell® injection therapy – or another type of hair restoration treatment – is best suited for your individual hair loss pattern.

How is PRP and ACell® Injection Therapy Performed?

Once you and your surgeon have decided to move forward with PRP and ACell® injection therapy, you can schedule your session. On the day of your treatment, a sample of your blood will be collected and centrifuged to extract the PRP, which is then combined with powdered ACell®. Your surgeon will carefully inject the PRP and ACell® into designated areas of the scalp at a precise depth beneath the skin where it can be most beneficial to the follicles. Treatment typically takes about 60 minutes, and you can usually resume your workday or regular activities right after your session. A cooling machine is used for comfort and we do offer nitrous oxide supplementation in the event of extreme sensitivity.

So the immediate benefits of this quick procedure are:

  • Minimally-invasive and generally well-tolerated
  • Recovery is usually swift and easily manageable
  • Treatment takes approximately 60 minutes
  • Most patients can return to work or regular activities right after treatment

Combining PRP and ACell® Injection Therapy with Hair Transplant Surgery

For hair transplant surgery patients, our surgeon very often recommends supplementing the procedure with PRP and ACell® injection therapy to help maintain native hairs. Ideally, PRP and ACell® injection therapy prevents further loss of non-transplanted hairs, strengthens hair follicles, and encourages new growth. The combination of PRP and ACell® therapy and hair transplantation can provide patients with more comprehensive improvement in the overall appearance of their hair, and assists in preserving the quality of results. It also has the added benefit of fostering growing transplant follicles in the early stages of growth.

Are There Any PRP and ACell® Treatment Side Effects?

Side effects of PRP and ACell® injection therapy are generally mild and temporary, as the treatment is very well tolerated by most patients. There is usually a bit of soreness, tightness, redness, and inflammation that follows PRP and ACell® injection therapy; however, these should improve within a day or two. Over-the-counter Tylenol® or ibuprofen is typically adequate for managing any discomfort. You may also notice tiny points of blood where the injections were performed—this is entirely normal. If you have any questions or concerns following treatment, we recommend contacting our practice as soon as possible.

What Can I Expect After PRP and ACell® Injection Therapy?

Once the local anesthetic wears off after treatment, your scalp may feel mildly sore for about 48 hours. Recovery is usually swift, and within about four to eight months, patients typically start to see results. Commonly reported improvements include thicker, denser hair in the treated areas. Your surgeon will keep a close watch on your progress and can formulate an appropriate treatment plan to help maintain or further improve your results. The positive effects of PRP and ACell® injection therapy can be evident for several months, or even years, depending on your unique hair loss pattern and responsiveness to treatment. The need for repeat treatments will be discussed with you.

How Much Does PRP and ACell® Injection Therapy Cost?

The average price for PRP and ACell® therapy sessions at our practice can cost between $1200 and $1800 each. The exact expense is determined by the size of the treatment area and the amount of PRP and ACell® that is injected during the session. Our use of ACell® matrix in this treatment does add to the cost, but it is important to understand that the inclusion of ACell® improves the effectiveness of the PRP in our experience. It is common for patients to undergo more than one treatment session to achieve optimal results. Generally, our protocol for patients is three sessions over eight months, with biannual or annual maintenance as needed.

If you are interested in exploring financing options that can make paying for PRP and ACell® injection therapy more convenient and affordable, we encourage you to speak with a knowledgeable member of our office team. Based on the amount of your cost quotation, you can submit applications for financing from the trusted third-party lenders we partner with: CareCredit®, ALPHAEON™ CREDIT, and Blispay. Qualified applicants can benefit from a variety of low-interest/no-interest loans and flexible monthly payment structures.

Contact JEV Plastic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics

If you are interested in PRP and ACell® injection therapy to slow your hair loss and regrow hair, we recommend that you contact our office to schedule a consultation.