Injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF or iPRF) has become a favorite hair shedding solution in recent months because it’s a natural method that captures the regenerative components of your blood. iPRF treatment for hair loss can stop telogen effluvium in men and women, and feed the existing hair. The essential protocols of the application are:
- Harvesting the plasma and growth elements from your blood
- Reproduction them to nourish hair follicles.
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What is iPRF treatment for hair loss?
It is a chemical-free non-operative therapy for patients who suffer from baldness or hair thinning. It prevents future hair loss and receding of existing hair, increases the pace of hair growth as well as nurtures the skin. Many medical experts refer to the i-PRF therapy as ‘the secret of young-looking’.
Key characteristics of IPRF:
- Area: Entire scalp
- Procedure Duration: About 30-40 min for each sessions
- Frequency: A series of 3 – 4 sessions spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart. Reminder after 6 to 12 months.
- Anesthesia: Topical if required
- Results Last for: 6-12 months (for some: 12+ months)
- Recommended for: Age 25+
- Downtime: None
- Full Results Visible: After 2-3 months, for initial results: 3-4 days.
What is the difference between iPRF and PRP hair loss treatment?
PRP vs. iPRF treatment for hair loss have similar functionalities. For instance, they are both non-invasive and organic as well as pain-free. However, there may be subtle nuances between procedures, to name a few:
- PRP has a 3 to 5 times higher concentration of platelets compared to whole blood while iPRF has 1.5 to 3 times.
- PRP includes platelets suspended in plasma with less fibrin content but iPRF has a high-concentration of fibrin. Fibrin is a protein involved in blood clotting so it provides a scaffold for cell growth and hair tissue regeneration. Therefore, wounds on the scalp can heal faster.
- PRP, abundant in growth factors for tissue repair, e.g. hair follicle stimulation; however, iPRF’s composition may vary.
- Direct injection is performed in PRP, while injection or topical applications are possible in iPRF.
Which is better for hair loss: iPRF or PRP?
iPRF treatment for hair loss works more effectively due to the presence of “fibrin”. However, PRP and iPRF therapies are very successful in hair regeneration. They can shorten the normalization period of hair transplantation, which takes about 1 year, to 6-8 months, when combined with hair transplant procedures.
Both PRP and iPRF are minimally-invasive techniques that allow you to return to your daily routine within 3-4 days. When you choose a trustable medical clinic, they can give great results even at stage 7 on the Norwood Hair Loss Scale.
You can contact one of our hair transplant specialists today to ensure you get the right combination of medication & surgery for your scalp and hair to follow a healthy growth cycle.
The Benefits of iPRF Treatment for Hair Loss
Became famous through word of mouth, iPRF, together with a hair transplant surgery can perform wonders even for entirely bald individuals with androgenetic alopecia.
iPFR can :
- stop hair loss,
- plump sagging skin,
- rejuvenate the scalp,
- correct skin and hair color,
- eliminate rashes, small wounds, and inflammations on the skin,
- provide the reproduction of cells
- stimulate collagen production,
- speed up the recovery time.
Supporting Hair Growth
It contains growth factors and cytokines that can stimulate the activity of stem cells in the follicles and others in the microenvironment of the follicular units and enhance blood vessel formation through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Moreover, Collagen production, anti-inflammatory elements, and activation of dormant hair follicles contribute to high success rate of iPRF treatment for hair loss. In addition, just like PRP, iPRF may include vitamin D, B1, B2, B3, B5, biotin, folic acid, and B12.
Increasing Hair Thickness and Volume
iPRP encourages the angiogenesis phase, meeting the scalp tissue with oxygen and essential compounds. This phase rejuvenates dormant follicles and fosters thicker and denser hair.
Improving Hair Quality and Health
As the beneficial nutrients in the blood feed the hair tissue, the hair becomes more vibrant, voluminous and shaped. It eliminates signs of hair damage like double hair in time.
What is the iPRF mechanism and how does it work?
For iPRF treatment for hair loss, surgeons use the patient’s blood plasma. This plasma is enriched with the following components:
- platelets: healing proteins that are also the source of growth factor
- fibrin: the main protein in a blood clot that stops bleeding and helps heal wounds
- stem cells: found in tissues and organs that can self-renew and proliferate.
These are the steps of iPRF procedure:
- In iPRF treatment for hair loss, a sufficient amount of blood is taken from the patient for laboratory work.
- Medical staff place the blood in a PRF centrifuge in their lab.
- The low-speed PRF centrifuge holds white blood cells and stem cells together with blood thrombocytes and plasma.
- They clean patient’s scalp and apply topical anesthesia.
- Your surgeon injects the PRF into the areas of your scalp where you are experiencing hair loss (the recipient areas).
- There may be mild redness, swelling and discomfort in the area. It will pass within a few hours.
Why is fibrin important for our body?
Fibrin is essential for the body as it plays a core role in stopping bleeding (hemostasis) by forming blood clots. Nevertheless, its importance is not limited to this. The other benefits of fibrin are:
- It aids in wound healing by creating a scaffold for skin repair – regeneration.
- Its flexibility protects the clots under stress.
- It can stabilize blood clots through clot contraction, so it helps seal wounds.
- It forms and dissolves blood clots, and this makes it essential for preventing and treating clotting problems.
How many sessions of iPRF should be done for hair loss?
iPRF hair restoration takes an average of 3 to 6 sessions, with a minimum of 2 to 3 sessions. A break of about one month is placed between each session. The patient is invited for maintenance interventions between around 6 mon to 1 yr.
How often should I have iPRF?
After completing your sessions for iPRF treatment for hair loss, thinning and skin rejuvenation, you can repeat it every 6-months. After achieving the desired outcome, you may take a longer break. When you consult your surgeon, a plan will be prepared depending on your general health condition, the degree of your hair loss and the speed of your body’s response to iPRF.
When will I start seeing iPRF results?
You may notice an increase in hair volume and vitality within a few weeks (1-4). However, it may take 2-3 months for your entire head to respond to the treatment and your hair growth cycle to become healthier. A shorter telogen phase and a longer anagen phase in your cycle is a sign of healthy hair. iPRF therapy is effective in regulating this cycle.
Cost of i-PRF Treatment in Turkey
The cost of iPRF treatment for hair loss in Turkey starts from a base of $300. Depending on the clinic, the surgeon, the clinic’s reputation, the number of sessions you need, and the extent of the treatment, iPRF therapy cost for hair loss treatment in Turkey varies.
The cost of Injectable Platelet Rich Fibrin for hair loss can vary enormously depending on the country.
Here is top 7 countries for iPRF and the amount of money you need for it:
- Turkey – $300 – $600 per session
- India – $400 – $600 per session
- Mexico – $350 – $600 per session
- Thailand – $350 – $700 per session
- Poland – $400 – $800 per session
- Spain – $500 – $900 per session
- Brazil – $500 – $1000 per session
iPRF or hair transplant, which one should I choose?
Both treatments target hair loss, but iPFR is a non-surgical procedure and can be used for purposes other than hair loss, such as hemostasis, wound healing, skin rejuvenation and bone regeneration. In contrast, hair transplant operation is a specialized procedure designed solely for the treatment of hair-related conditions.
One can utilize iPRF and hair transplant surgery separately. However, combining the two can speed up the time of hair loss restoration and help you get double the results. As typical, hair transplantation takes the first place, then iPRF is initiated to enhance results. While the transplant moves hair grafts from a donor site to thinning areas, iPRF stimulates newly transplanted grafts growth and faster post-surgery process.
Let’s get in touch to customize an iPRF and hair transplant plan for you, introduce you to shaved or unshaven hair transplant options and let us inform you how many sessions your iPRF treatment for hair loss will take!
FAQs about iPRF Treatment for Hair Loss
What else is iPRF used for?
It is used for:
- applications in facial rejuvenation,
- orthopedic injuries
- dental operations including periodontal-implant procedures
- skin laxity, texture, and dull tone
- wrinkles and lines
- melasma and acne scars
Does PRF really work for hair loss?
Yes because it intensifies the reproduction and functioning of cells. Thus, new fibroblasts, elastin tissues, collagen are formed, skin fat balance is distributed homogeneously, and wrinkles are reduced. Provides the moisture and ph-balance that the hair needs.
Why am I seeing hairloss after PRF treatment?
If your hair is in the telogen (resting) or exogen (shedding) phases while you are having the procedure, your hair may fall out for a while until your scalp sees the accumulative effect.
Is PRF really better than PRP?
iPRF releases growth factors gradually over 7 to 10 days, whereas for PRP this time span is only a few hours. Therefore iPRF can provide long-term tissue regeneration.
How long does PRF last for hair?
Scientific research suggests that even PRP is permanent for up to 9 months. Therefore, you can expect iPRF treatment for hair loss to last for more than a year.
Is iPRF permanent?
No, neither iPRF/aPRF/PRP are permanent.
Who is not a candidate for PRF?
Any patient on blood disorders, hormone therapy, severe anemia, active infections, certain autoimmune diseases, high-fat diets, cancer patients undergoing treatment, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Moreover, patients who smoke may not be a candidate for iPRF treatment for hair loss.
What are the disadvantages of PRF?
There are no major side effects, but they can be classed as negative effects:
- Lower platelet concentration compared to PRP
- Slower release of growth factors
- Slower effect
- Requires careful preparation to avoid contamination
- Suitable for a small number of people
Is PRF expensive?
Among hair loss procedures, iPRF is fairly-priced despite being such a useful and all-natural remedy.
Does PRF build collagen?
Yes, PRF facilitates the upregulation of collagen synthesis, thereby fostering dermal regeneration and tissue remodeling.
Ref.
- Gollapudi M, Bajaj P, Oza RR. Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin – A Revolution in Periodontal Regeneration. Cureus. 2022 Aug 31;14(8):e28647. doi: 10.7759/cureus.28647. PMID: 36196318; PMCID: PMC9525133.
- Arora R, Shukla S. Injectable-Platelet-Rich Fibrin-Smart Blood with Stem Cells for the Treatment of Alopecia: A Report of Three Patients. Int J Trichology. 2019 May-Jun;11(3):128-131. doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_73_18. PMID: 31360042; PMCID: PMC6580805.
- Vazquez OA, Safeek RH, Komberg J, Becker H. Alopecia Areata Treated with Advanced Platelet-rich Fibrin Using Micronization. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022 Jan 18;10(1):e4032. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004032. PMID: 35070594; PMCID: PMC8769139.
- ÖZSAĞIR ZB, TUNALI M. Injectable platelet-rich fibrin: a new material in medicine and dentistry. Mucosa. Published online June 30, 2020:27-33. doi:https://doi.org/10.33204/mucosa.707865
- Litvinov RI, Weisel JW. What Is the Biological and Clinical Relevance of Fibrin? Semin Thromb Hemost. 2016 Jun;42(4):333-43. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1571342. Epub 2016 Apr 7. PMID: 27056152; PMCID: PMC5536100.
Article Review By: Dr. Jyothi Shenoy V
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MBBS, MD – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, MRCOG(UK)
23 Years Experience Overall
