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Written by an anonymous patient of The PRP Center:
I am in my 40's and I had been researching PRP treatments for hair for quite some time before I finally decided to give it a try. I've tried all the supplements and topicals out there, but just wasn't seeing the results I hoped for (not to mention, the topical foams were really inconvenient and hard to stay consistent with). My dermatologist told me about PRP treatments, but I was hesitant to give it a try - frankly, because I don't like needles, so the idea of using one on my scalp made me cringe.
Months later I finally did my research and scheduled my first PRP treatment at The PRP Center. I didn't schedule anything that evening, because I wasn't sure what to expect or how much pain I'd be in.
When I got to the office, they took me back right away and their provider (a Physician Assistant named Maggie) went over my medical history and told me what to expect - she was very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Then I got my blood drawn, which was taken to a centrifuge to spin. I don't know their full process, but they showed me the end result which was a tube with the red blood cells on the bottom and the yellowish-gold platelets on top (that's what people refer to as the "liquid gold").
She then drew out the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into a syringe. I must say that the needle was much smaller than I thought it was going to be (for those of you wondering). I've had Botox before and I would say that it's very similar. She then took a tool that looks like a vibrating pen and put it on my scalp (the vibrations really helped with lessening the sensation of the needle pricks), and began injecting the PRP into the problem areas she and I discussed during the consult.
Some of the areas were more sensitive than others while she was injecting, but I would say on a scale of 1-10 that most felt like a 3-4. I probably have a slightly below average pain tolerance though so my best guess is that it's a 2-3 for most people. So long story short, the pain was far less than I imagined. My scalp was a little tender right afterward, but I definitely could have made plans that evening and not worry about how my hair would look (that said, they did tell me that sometimes they actually rub some of the PRP into the scalp, so I guess it just depends on whether they recommend that or not).
I would also say that the process was much quicker than I thought it was going to be too. I was there a total of about 20 minutes, which is really helpful for my busy schedule. This was just my first round. I come back in about a month for round 2, and then round 3. I'm looking forward to the results, which Maggie said I probably wouldn't start seeing until close to month 3.
If you're anything like me and tried all the pills and topicals, but just need something more, then I'd say don't hesitate. It really was much easier, faster, and less painful than I thought it was going to be. I felt in great hands the entire time! I just wish I would've started months ago.
Schedule an appointment for PRP for hair restoration in Raleigh, NC.