Hair loss is incredibly common. And it’s not just an issue for men. It isn’t talked about nearly enough, but women regularly experience hair loss, too, especially after 50. According to Cleveland Clinic, over 80 million Americans are affected by hair loss.
If you fall into that category, know that there are treatments available for treating hair loss in its early stages. Losing hair isn’t something you need to lose any more sleep over. There are safe and effective nonsurgical solutions. But here’s the thing: catching it early is crucial.
Take it from your hair restoration clinic in Menlo Park; the sooner you seek treatment for hair loss, the better your outcome can be. At Entre Nous Aesthetics, we provide PRP injections for treating male and female pattern baldness, promoting healthy hair growth, and revitalizing damaged or dormant hair follicles.
What Causes Hair Loss?
It probably won’t come as a surprise to you that aging is one of the leading factors contributing to hair loss for both men and women. But heredity and hormonal changes are right up there, too.
Men often begin noticing the early stages of hair loss (or male pattern baldness) by their 30s, but it can begin as early as their late teens. Male pattern baldness frequently first appears in the form of a receding hairline.
More than 50% of women will experience visible hair loss in their lifetime. And the most common cause of this is female pattern baldness (AKA female pattern hair loss). Women are most likely to experience significant hair loss after pregnancy, after the age of 40, or after undergoing harsh medical treatments such as chemotherapy.
Hair loss, by itself, is not physically harmful, but that doesn’t mean it can’t impact your confidence and self-esteem. The treatment we provide at your hair loss clinic in Menlo Park is geared toward slowing hair loss and restoring hair growth for aesthetic reasons.
Hair loss can be a major source of insecurity, and our goal is to provide empowering, confidence-building hair restoration for men and women. If you’re concerned by sudden, unexpected hair loss, we strongly recommend talking to your doctor.
What is PRP?
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is one of the most natural regenerative medicines in existence. There are no artificial or unfamiliar ingredients. It’s all you. Literally. PRP is isolated directly from your own blood.
We use an on-site centrifuge to spin your blood, separating it into 3 layers: plasma, platelets, and red blood cells. Plasma is simply the liquid portion of your blood, and platelets are the growth factors that play an important role in wound healing and tissue repair. PRP is simply plasma with a high concentration of platelets.
What PRP does, in a nutshell, is harness your body’s built-in ability to heal itself. But that doesn’t mean your body can simply slow, reverse, or delay hair loss on its own. Your hair loss clinic in Menlo Park is committed to helping you help yourself by directing more healing and growth factors to your scalp than your body could do on its own.
How Does PRP Work for Hair Loss?
PRP injections are used for a wide range of restorative and regenerative treatments for a wide variety of conditions. Injecting PRP directly into the scalp can help promote hair growth by restoring damaged or dormant hair follicles. It can also thicken the hair shaft.
At Entre Nous, your hair loss clinic in Menlo Park, PRP injection treatments typically take about 30 minutes. During that time, your professional injector will administer the treatment by injecting PRP sourced from your own blood directly into your scalp.
Most of our patients begin their hair restoration journey at Entre Nous with a series of 3 to 6 in-office injection sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. After completing a full round of treatment, the majority of patients get (and keep) the best results by scheduling maintenance appointments every 4 to 6 months.
How to Prepare for PRP Hair Restoration
We recommend not applying any gels or hairspray for at least 3 days leading up to your appointment at your hair restoration clinic in Menlo Park. It’s also important to avoid activities that can lower your platelet count, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Minimizing your caffeine intake can also help prevent bruising at the injection sites.
It’s a good idea to stop taking NSAIDs (including ibuprofen and aspirin) as well as anticoagulant and blood-thinning medication 1 week out from treatment. But don’t discontinue any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor.
On the day of treatment, wash your hair thoroughly, using whichever shampoo you normally use, but don’t apply any hair products. Be sure to drink plenty of water at least 2 hours before your appointment time.
What to Do After Your PRP Injections
After getting PRP injections at your hair restoration clinic in Menlo Park, Entre Nous Aesthetics recommends you continue to avoid applying any product to your hair for no fewer than 6 hours after your treatment session.
We also recommend continuing to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking for another 3 days. While PRP injections for hair restoration don’t require any downtime, it can take 12 to 24 hours for the scalp to heal. For this reason, we usually recommend waiting 24 hours after treatment before (gently) washing your hair.
As tempting as it can be to massage, scratch, or aggressively rub the treatment area, we strongly advise against doing this for at least 3 days post-treatment. To help protect the area and ensure your results, you should also avoid sleeping with any weight resting on the affected areas.
Are You a Good Candidate for PRP Injections?
PRP injections are natural, minimally invasive, and well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients. But not everyone is an ideal candidate. Some people may benefit more from a different or more intensive treatment.
You might be a good candidate for PRP injections at your hair restoration clinic in Menlo Park if:
- You’re a man or woman with mild to moderate pattern baldness
- You have thinning hair
- You have an average platelet count
- You’re in good health
You might not be a good candidate for PRP injections if:
- You have a low platelet count
- You have a bleeding or clotting disorder
- You smoke
- You have an active skin infection on your scalp
The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate for PRP hair restoration treatments is to schedule a consultation at your hair loss clinic in Menlo Park.
How to Naturally Support Your PRP Hair Restoration Treatment Results
There are many things you can do to naturally support and protect your PRP injection results and improve the overall health of your hair and scalp. Let’s take a look at a few to help you get started!
Eat Enough Protein
According to Cleveland Clinic, most adults need to consume 40 to 60 grams of protein per day to maintain strong, healthy hair. Vegans and vegetarians may need to be especially vigilant about getting enough protein from food sources. If you struggle to get enough protein in your diet, consider using protein powders that align with your dietary preferences and restrictions.
Take Supplements
Vitamin deficiencies can sometimes lead to weak and brittle hair, slow hair growth, or premature hair loss. The best way to combat vitamin deficiencies is to know exactly what you’re up against. Medical testing for vitamin and mineral deficiencies can help you determine which supplements to take. Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, along with iron and zinc, can play an especially important role in hair growth.
Take Care of Your Hair & Scalp
Switching up or stepping up your hair and scalp care routine is yet another important way to support healthy hair growth. If you have greasy hair, you may need to wash your hair more frequently. Some other adjustments to your hair routine you may want to make include using a shampoo that matches your hair type, using conditioner each time you shampoo, and avoiding harsh hair treatments like bleach and dye. Dialing back your use of heated styling tools can also help.
Reduce & Manage Stress
Unmanaged stress (especially long-term) can eventually cause your hair to stop growing and even fall out. There are hundreds of ways to reduce and manage stress, but a few techniques to get started include:
- Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night
- Exercising regularly
- Staying hydrated
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Seeking professional help
Book Your Consultation Today!
At Entre Nous Aesthetics, we’re passionate about giving every patient an experience that reflects their unique, individual needs.
If you’re looking for a hair restoration clinic in Menlo Park, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s your first time seeking aesthetic care, or you’re taking the next steps in your rejuvenation journey, we’re here to help you achieve beautiful, natural results.
Not ready for an in-person visit? Or just interested in exploring all our aesthetic and wellness options? Our e-consultation tool is available 24/7! Answer a few questions about your areas of concern, and you’ll receive personalized recommendations right to your inbox 💌
