Hair Regeneration
Many of us suffer from thinning hair and hair loss. Hair loss is typically hereditary which means that the genes whose role is to keep hair follicles going tend to gradually shut down resulting in less hair, as well as shorter and finer hairs in the affected areas of the scalp.
For decades hair restoration options have been limited to surgical hair transplants and medical therapy such as Rogaine and Propecia. Advanced non-surgical hair restoration therapies using PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and ACell (extracellular matrix) show great promise in slowing hair loss and increasing hair growth by stimulating inactive hair follicles stem cells.
What is PRP?
PRP is an acronym for Platelet Rich Plasma, which is a concentration of platelets derived from your own blood. Platelets are proven to be a rich source of proteins called growth factors which stimulate stem cell activity in dormant (sleeping) hair follicles for up to 3-4 months.
Can PRP alone be used for Hair Restoration?
While PRP injecions alone (with or without microneedling) have been shown to stimulate hair growth, the success and duration of hair stimulation is not nearly as great as when PRP is combined with ACell extracellaular matrix (ECM). Typically a series of 6 PRP injections is recommended, as opposed to a single ACell+PRP treatment.
What is ACell?
ACell’s MatriStem technology is a biological scaffold based on extracellular matrix (ECM) that works at the cellular level to facilitate repair and regeneration of tissues. ACell is primarily composed of collagen I, II, III, IV, and VII and contains glycosaminoglycans, fibronectin, laminin, and elastin. In addition, it also contains a rich array of growth factors. The growth factors contained in ACell include vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factors alpha and beta 1, keratinocyte growth factor, bone morphogenic protein, insulin-like growth factor, hepatic growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor.
ACell has proven to be a very powerful tool in hair restoration and when injected into the scalp ACell activates dormant follicular stem cells for up to 18-24 months. Although ACell has a broad range of other medical and surgical applications ACell is not yet FDA approved specifically for the treatment for hair loss.
Why combine PRP with ACell for Hair Restoration?
The combined regenerative powers of PRP and ACell appeas to be a match made in heaven when it comes to promoting hair growth. The PRP + ACell procedure starts with obtaining a small blood sample from the patient, identical to a routine blood draw for lab tests. PRP is then isolated from the blood and mixed with the ACell powder (pictured above). Local anesthetic (numbing medication) is used to numb the scalp and the PRP + ACell injections are perfromed once the scalp is numb. The procedure takes less than an hour and the recovery is quick, without any open wounds, sutures, staples, or dressings. A variable amount of scalp discomfort and swelling may be present for 1-2 days.
Growth of new hair is seen as early as a month but typically within 4-6 months after the PRP + ACell procedure and the hair continues to become thicker over a period of 12-18 months. Although significant improvement can be seen with just a single PRP + ACell treatment, a series of PRP + ACell procedures could maximize potential hair growth . Men typically see results after a few months, with full benefit manifesting in about a year to 18 months. Results often take longer to appear in women since their longer hair may hide the new shorter hairs which have regrown.
Who can benefit from PRP + ACell?
PRP + ACell treatments restore hair quality and quantity for men and women with thinning hair and can help prevent hair from additional shedding. PRP + ACell treatment is also an option for patients who’ve had surgical hair restoration previously and wish to increase hair density without more surgery. PRP + ACell treatment can also be used in patients who wish to maintain their hair without using medication like Propecia or Rogaine.
When are PRP + ACell not likely to be effective?
PRP + ACell treatments are more effective on patients experiencing hair loss and hair thinning, as opposed to those with severe hair loss who have a completely smoothed scalp (i.e. not even thin hairs). PRP + ACell treatments can only work on existing (but miniaturized) hair follicles that are still alive and present on the head but they cannot bring back dead hair follicles. Whether or not a specific patient will respond to PRP + ACell is not predictable.
What about the Longevity of PRP + ACell?
The longevity of PRP + ACell treatments can vary from patient to patient but has been shown to be in the range of years. Majority of patients may need only one PRP + ACell treatment but patients with more advanced hair thinning may require additional treatmens in 12-18 month intervals to further build on initial results.
What is the cost of PRP + ACell?
PRP + ACell treatments vary based on the size of the region being treated. In our clinic the cost of PRP + ACell treatments for hair restoration depends on the size of the area being treated but are typically ~ $2,500.
What about Minoxidil?
Minoxidil is an effective topical treatment for hair loss in men and women, and can work even more effectively when combined with PRP and ACell. Although the exact mechanism by which Minoxidil works is not fully understood, it appears that Minoxidil opens up the blood vessels in the scalp to deliver more oxygen-rich blood to the hair follicles. Minoxidil also helps increase the size of hair follicles, resulting in thicker, stronger hairs. Minoxidil also shortens the resting (telogen) phase of hair growth, meaning that your hair will spend more time in the growth (anagen) phase, resulting in thicker and stronger hair. Minoxidil, at its highest effective concentration, is included as one of the ingredients of both the Naficy Hair Serum for Women and the Naficy Hair Serum for Men.
What about Finasteride?
Finasteride is used to treat male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) in men. Treatment with finasteride slows hair loss and provides about 30% improvement in hair loss after six months of treatment. Using finasteride leads to a reduction in scalp and serum DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels. By lowering scalp levels of DHT, finasteride can maintain or increase the number of terminal hairs in the growth (anagen) phase. Finasteride is most effective on the crown of the head but can reduce hair loss in all areas of the scalp. Finasteride can be taken orally, but it has also found to be effective topically, which is why it is included as one of the three active ingredients in Naficy Hair Serum for Men. Women who are post-menopause can also benefit from Finasteride and thus can use the Naficy Hair Serum for Men. Women who are past child-bearing years, can also benefit greatly from Finasteride and are thus good candidates to use the formulation with this ingredient.
What about Latanoprost?
Latanoprost is similar to the popular eyelash restoration drug bimatoprost (better-known by its brand name Latisse®), and like bimatoprost, latanoprost has been used to grow thicker, longer, and darker eyelashes. Latanoprost is also effective when applied topically on the scalp. After 24 weeks, there are significant differences in hair density associated with increased hair pigmentation and thickness. Latanoprost in effective in both men and women and appears to work synergistically with Minoxidil, which is why we have included this ingredient in both the Naficy Hair Serum for Women and the Naficy Hair Serum for Men.
What about Biotin?
Biotin, a B-vitamin, plays a crucial role in the synthesis of keratin, the protein that constitutes hair strands, ensuring the production of strong, healthy hair. Biotin has been proven to be effective as a topical agent which is why we have included this ingredient in both the Naficy Hair Serum for Women and the Naficy Hair Serum for Men.
Naficy Hair Serum for Women
We have created a potent topical hair formula for women that includes Minoxidil and Latanoprost, as well as natural hair enhancers for daily use. Most of our patients notice an improvement in the quality of their hair (less shedding, thicker, darker hairs) within 12 weeks of using this product.
Naficy Hair Serum for Men
For men, we have created a potent topical hair formula that includes Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Latanoprost, as well as natural hair enhancers for daily use. Most of our patients notice an improvement in the quality of their hair (less shedding, thicker, darker hairs) within 12 weeks of using this product.
“I am a 53 year old man with thinning hair in the front.
I had noticed a decrease in the quality and density of hair over time - less thick, more shedding. I was skeptical about how effective a topical treatment could be but I researched the ingredients and they all seemed legitimately effective.
After using just one bottle of the Naficy Hair Serum for Men once a day for 3 months, I noticed that the shedding stopped completely, and the hair appears thicker, darker, and more robust.”
- Anonymous, Bellevue, WA
I'm interested in PRP + ACell and Naficy Hair Serum!
If you are considering PRP + ACell hair regeneration combined with our custom blend of hair serums, we encourage you to complete this Injectables Inquiry Form. Our injectors will assess your photos and the providers will tell you wether you are a suitable candidate for this procedure and inform you of the alternatives and potential risk of the procedure.
