PRP and ACell — Restoring Healthy Hair Growth in Portland, OR
At the Gabel Center, we are now offering PRP and ACell treatment as an additional therapy for both the donor & recipient regions of the scalp to increase the survival and regrowth of hair grafts and reduce scarring from hair restoration cosmetic surgery.
ACell Extracellular Matrix
Derived from biological material that contains a network of growth factors, proteins, and collagen, ACell, which is a non-synthetic extracellular matrix, has been useful to promote wound healing in other medical fields. ACell possesses growth factors and has the ability to recruit progenitor stem cells which can help to regenerate tissue. When ACell is placed in tissue, fibroblasts are drawn to the area and begin depositing collagen and other proteins that strengthen and give support to new, healthy scalp tissue, as well as promote the formation of new blood vessels that provide nutrients and resources for hair follicles.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma is a component of your body’s blood that contains upwards of one to eight times the normal concentration of physiologic platelets. PRP has been shown in certain cases to assist in recovery and healing in areas of medicine such as orthopedic and dental care and during certain surgeries.
The process by which PRP is obtained begins with drawing between 60 to 120 ml of blood from the patient. The blood sample is then placed in a vial in a centrifuge that is spun up to separate the platelets and blood plasma from the white and red blood cells. This newly separated plasma is rich in cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors and has the essential ingredients for angiogenesis (the creation of new blood vessels) and tissue repair.
Hair transplant surgeons will use PRP and ACELL two different ways, either during a surgical operation or as a separate, non-surgical procedure.
Potential Usage
Although the potential uses for ACell and PRP are very exciting, they are also controversial, as there are not many studies that prove they work consistently. The good news here is that there is enough evidence of the benefits of these treatments that additional studies are being done.
Because of this, we recognize that not everyone looking for PRP hair restoration is a good candidate for PRP treatments. By utilizing this procedure in only the most heavily scrutinized patients, we can help to increase the positive results of this hair regrowth treatment. At the end of the day, we strive for transparency and full disclosure while discussing PRP and ACell, as using it to promote hair growth is still experimental.
Standalone (Non-Surgical) Procedure for Treating Hair Loss
ACell and PRP can be used on a non-surgical basis for treating thinner, miniaturized hair by utilizing a technique known as mesotherapy, in which multiple superficial injections are placed into the thinner areas of the scalp. This series of multiple injections into the mesoderm layer of the skin can cause the miniaturized hairs to grow and increase in size and thickness. This procedure is not as effective in spurring new hair growth as surgical alternatives, although with multiple treatment sessions, patients can see some results from PRP therapy.
Intra-Operative (Surgical) Use of PRP and ACell
Benefits of ACell and PRP in FUT Strip Harvest Surgery
PRP and ACell can be placed directly into the strip donor incision during FUT hair transplant surgery, which can encourage improved wound healing and reduce scarring. This treatment can substantially improve the strip surgery donor area by reducing the long-term appearance of the scar while also promoting a quick and effective healing process.
Benefits of ACell and PRP in FUE Hair Transplant
The treatment can also be utilized to improve the donor area of an FUE hair transplant surgery. As another option, both PRP and ACell can also be applied after the fact by utilizing microneedling in the donor area following the FUE procedure.
Using PRP treatment and ACell extracellular matrix during this hair transplant procedure has two key benefits:
- The microneedled region treated with PRP and ACell will repair itself at a faster rate and reduce both the appearance and number of scars, which often show as white dots on the scalp.
- In some cases, hair can regrow from the microneedled areas. This process is also called Auto-Cloning. When this happens, ACell will recruit progenitor cells that use stem cells present in the area of the microneedling to promote the regrowth of hair follicles that no longer create hair. When this works, it increases to a small degree the donor supply available with FUE.
The chances of hair graft survival in FUE grafts can be significantly improved in the recipient area by using PRP during surgery. Survival of hair grafts may improve further if ACell extracellular matrix is injected into the recipient area or applied directly onto hair grafts during the time of the procedure.
Schedule a Consultation About ACell and PRP for Hair Loss in Portland, Oregon
As technology advances and new treatments are introduced, the prospect for those seeking hair restoration treatment gets better and better. With the combination of PRP and ACell, people can achieve highly effective results with reduced downtime when used in hair transplant surgery. To learn more about how these substances can strengthen your receding hairline, schedule a consultation with Dr. Steven Gabel today. Get in touch with Gabel Hair Restoration by calling our Portland office or by contacting us online.
