PRP with ACell for Hair Loss: Understanding the Success Rate Factors
More doctors are offering PRP+ACell, or platelet-rich plasma and extracellular matrix by ACell, as a non-surgical hair loss treatment. Since 2011, I have been a pioneer in the use of extracellular matrix with PRP, with the protocolI devised proving beneficial for 99% of men and women with genetic pattern hair loss. Many practices offering a cookie cutter PRP+ACell treatment are missing some key aspects in selecting people who are good candidates for this treatment.
I would also add that the majority of practices, particularly dermatology offices, who offer PRP or PRP+ACell treatments have little prior expertise treating hair loss, such as performing hair transplant surgery.
This means that they lack experience in determining the best way to evaluate, select, and manage patients with hair loss. Before deciding on PRP+ACell treatment for hair loss, people should be aware of several key issues.
I’ll share how I handle hair loss patients in my practice, as well as the expertise I’ve gained from treating patients from all over the world since 2011 using my personalized formulations and delivery methodologies with PRP+ACell.
Based on my experience, I created specific formulas, administration methodologies, and a patient classification system before establishing TrichoStem Hair Regeneration Centers.
Why PRP+ACell Might Not Work for Everyone
In this question, you are asking why PRP+ACell did not work for you. I’ll respond using some assumptions:
- You waited more than 18 months after obtaining whatever number of treatments your doctor prescribed and noticed no difference.
- You had photos taken from multiple angles, which were compared and no change was seen.
If neither of these applies to you, I believe you can still benefit from a treatment. After treating so many men and women for hair loss, I can make some generalizations based on my observations.
Managing Expectations and Understanding the Factors
People with moderate to advanced hair loss usually do not recognize progress until they see their before and after images.Men who have lost a lot of hair in the front will not see the large amount of regrowth that happens in the mid scalp and crown area. It’s mainly the hairline that frames the face, and can be seen directly in the mirror, so this area is more noticeable to the patient, and the people with whom they interact.
Although there may not be much growth at the front due to a lack of hair follicles, increased volume in the mid scalp contributes to the framing of your face, and is an improvement.
People who have hair loss frequently do not notice how much their hair has improved, and instead concentrate on places where they want to see more hair. Hair loss may be a highly emotional experience for both men and women. I constantly explain that our TrichoStem Hair Regeneration treatment will stimulate growth from hair follicles that are viable, but not growing hair; and thickens thinning hair, resulting in improved scalp coverage. Nothing grows without a viable hair follicle.
I explain that the only way I will allow any further hair loss patients into my practice is if they realize that the treatment is extremely likely to result in benefit, with success defined as improvement. This is in contrast to a patient expecting a specific desired outcome.
Some people come in and claim they are realistic, agree with the treatment plan, and believe that any improvement is a success.
Defining Success in Hair Regeneration
Unfortunately, not everyone adheres to this sensible introduction, and later complain and behave inappropriately once treatment plans and consent are completed, and the treatment is delivered as promised.
I make it a point to take high resolution digital images of every patient as frequently as possible and to examine the patient’s development during routine visits, which happen every 3 to 6 months. As I stated earlier, the definition of success is improvement.
I’m seeing a lot of people who have tried PRP alone, or PRP with ACell elsewhere.
My sense is that many, if not most practitioners use this procedure as a quick way to earn money, without considering the amount of time and concentration required to properly manage patients with hair loss; it is viewed as an in-and-out procedure, similar to Botox facials.
This reminds me a lot of the excitement of anticipated profits from devices, which are sold or leased as ways to increase practice revenue with no effort.
Again, I feel it’s a significant responsibility to first properly diagnose a patient with genetic pattern hair loss, and then provide a clear and efficient treatment plan with a high probability of success defined as improvement.
The Journey Trichostem Hair Regeneration
(Customized PRP with Acell + Vitamin D for Hair Loss Treatment)
So what do we do in our practice? In 2011, when we noted that thinning hair was becoming thicker 1 year after using PRP+ACell to expedite healing after a hair transplant, I decided to determine if PRP+ACell could be used as a standalone treatment for hair loss.
I worked with several people, including a medical physicist, on determining the exact volumes and weight of extracellular matrix produced by ACell, and the amount of PRP used to optimize hair growth. Recognizing that the treatment stimulates the growth of hairs that are in a resting stage, as well as thickening hair that is thinning.
Does Trichostem Hair Regeneration Work?
I treated a wide range of patients, from men as young as 18, women as young as 16–17 years old, to ages in the mid- to late-70s. I looked at results relative to the degree of hair loss, and the rate of progression. I also looked at other variables to optimize the longevity of hair growth, such as hormonal factors, and relative DHT-sensitivity.
I was so confident in the consistency of success of our treatment system that I built the TrichoStem Hair Regeneration freestanding center in Northern Virginia specifically for this treatment. I created customized protocols based on a classification system I created for different types of hair loss.
I provide every patient with a treatment plan, and typically perform 1-2 treatments over the course of 2 years, with an expected sustained benefit of 3-5 years or more. This is in sharp contrast to the transaction-driven cookie-cutter once a month, to once every three months treatments being aggressively promoted.
PRP + ACell Hair Restoration Treatment for Female Hair Loss
I am particularly proud of the impact we made on female-pattern hair loss. Prior to TrichoStem Hair Regeneration, the only options for women were the use of minoxidil, and oral spironolactone, both of limited and inconsistent value.
Managing Result Expectations and Realities
More than 99% of the patients we treat see improvement, which we show with medical photography. I routinely tell our patients that hair loss is managed, not cured. The treatment plans are customized, so our injection treatment and any other supplementary treatment are used to provide maximal improvement and longevity within the limits of the patient’s genetics.
The proliferation of PRP+ACell treatments as a cookie-cutter formulation for all is just not going to deliver the best results. Does it make sense that a young male with aggressive hair loss would get the same treatment as a middle-aged female with moderate hair loss? Of course not. Just because a particular formulation didn’t work for you, it doesn’t mean you can’t still take steps to manage your hair loss with PRP+ACell. As I often say to my patients, if you follow my treatment plan that’s specific to your situation, you‘re likely to see a benefit. I hope you found this information helpful.
PRP with Acell Hair Loss Treatment in Manhattan NYC and Long Island, New York
Dr Amiya Prasad is a Board-certified cosmetic surgeon, and a Fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He’s been in practice in Manhattan and Long Island for over 25 years. Moreover, he was among a handful of pioneers to establish the PRP+ACell for hair loss in 2011 and has treated thousands of patients since 2011 from around the world. For any questions, or to schedule a consultation fill up the form below, or contact any of our offices at (212) 265-8877 for Manhattan, (516) 742-4636 for Garden City Long Island Office, or (703) 356-1336 or (703) 821-2683 for Vienna, Virginia.