Plasma therapy of the scalp should be prescribed and carried out exclusively by a qualified doctor.

Treatment of diseases that lead to hair loss requires a very deep and comprehensive study of the causes that provoked this phenomenon. Any method of alopecia therapy can be prescribed to a patient only for specific indications and in combination with medicinal effects, strengthening procedures, individual correction of hair and scalp care. In order for the treatment to be effective, the patient must absolutely trust his doctor, being confident in his high professionalism.

We continue to discuss the most effective methods of hair loss therapy, in particular, the use of plasma therapy, with leading experts in the field of trichology.

Denis Vadimovich Prokopovich

dermatovenereologist,

trichologist at the Hair Health Center, Kyiv

For what indications do you consider it appropriate to prescribe plasma therapy? Why, in your opinion, can plasma therapy be effective for appropriate indications?

Plasma therapy is an effective element in the complex therapy of hair loss.

Treatment with platelet-rich plasma is one of the most promising areas in trichology, firmly gaining its place in the complex therapy of hair loss and stimulation of their growth.

I will note the most obvious advantages of this technique. The first is the safety of the method. After all, we use automaterial, that is, the patient's own blood, from which blood cells that precipitate are removed by centrifugation. As a result, we obtain platelet-rich plasma, the concentration of which, due to the specific processing of the material, increases several times. Therefore, the development of allergic reactions is excluded. The second undeniable positive point lies in the studies that have shown the presence of protein complexes in our platelets - growth factors. The most important of these complexes are vascular endothelial growth factor, epithelial growth factor, fibroblast and platelet growth factor. Together and in interaction with each other, these factors trigger the processes of tissue regeneration and the synthesis of collagen fibers, the formation of new capillary networks, and cell proliferation. As a result, we expect an impact on various links in the pathogenesis of the development of alopecia of any etiology.

From my experience, I note that the appointment of this method is advisable at later stages of therapy, after the most complete clarification of the causes that led to hair loss, a course of drug and external therapy and correction of hair care. I always focus on complex therapy and do not consider plasma therapy as a panacea or a leading method.

The main indications for plasma therapy are androgenetic alopecia, which at the time of the patient’s visit has been observed and corrected by a trichologist for more than six months, idiopathic diffuse hair loss, that is, hair loss for an unknown reason, alopecia areata, prevention of hair loss after the main course of therapy to consolidate the result . As a rule, in all these conditions, there is a persistent vascular spasm, a violation of the trophism of the hair follicle and miniaturization of the hair follicle. All these processes are favorably affected by plasma therapy.

What do patients usually expect from this procedure when they come to you with hair problems? What result can they actually get after plasma therapy and do the results of the operation usually match the expectations of patients?

Any method in trichology requires an extremely honest and detailed explanation to the patient. Let's start from the fact that trichology itself is a rather young science. All methods used in it are sometimes experimental in nature. Many patients are frightened by the fact that this procedure involves taking their own blood. Yes, of course, this is a method with a proven positive effect, but it is probably not worth talking about it as a universal method suitable for everyone. All patients, of course, want one thing - beautiful, healthy, luxurious, strong, obedient hair, so that it does not fall out, so that it grows to the waist .... Therefore, a conversation with a patient, sometimes long and not always pleasant, is the daily work of a trichologist. Do not overestimate expectations, adhere to an integrated approach to therapy - and then, of course,

Are repeated plasma therapy procedures required and how many times? At what interval?

Any injection method in trichology has a cumulative effect. The hair follicle itself reacts for a very long time to any impact. Based on this, I recommend a course of procedures to my patients. Everything is very individual and depends on many factors. The degree of hair loss and thinning, the prescription of the problem, a complex of parallel procedures are taken into account. The experience of the doctor will tell you what frequency of procedures to choose and with what interval to carry them out. As a rule, at least 3 procedures are prescribed with an interval of 10 to 14 days, or once a month. The total number can vary from 3 to 10 procedures. Usually, the course prescribed by me averages 3-5 procedures, then a break is made for at least a month, and maintenance procedures are carried out once a month, once every 2 months. I repeat, everything is exclusively individual.

What additional procedures can improve the results of plasma therapy?

Certainly, the plasma therapy procedure can and should be combined with other methods of influence in order to achieve a stable and positive result.

In my practice, I often combine plasma therapy with well-known mesotherapy of the scalp. The technique for introducing the material is the same: it is the papular method in combination with the median nappage, but the difference lies in the material being injected. If with plasma therapy it is a suspension of our own platelets in plasma, then mesotherapy gives us the opportunity to enhance and activate the action of platelets by introducing biologically active drugs, especially peptides. The course is developed individually for the patient. For example, basic accumulative mesotherapy procedures once a week for 3 weeks, then a plasma therapy procedure.

It is ideal to combine the plasma therapy procedure with microneedle therapy, that is, exposure to the skin with a mesoscooter - immediately before plasma injections. The mesoscooter actively stimulates blood circulation, and due to microdamage of the skin, cytokines, active components that promote the synthesis of collagen fibers and enhance angiogenesis, are released from the bloodstream.

For the comfort of the patient and the psychologically relaxing effect, I recommend combining a plasma therapy procedure, which is still quite sensitive for some, with a relaxing and pleasant microcurrent treatment of the scalp, after applying a tonic serum based on herbal extracts. You can also use scalp cryolift or chromotherapy for a soothing effect.

Does the patient have to follow any rules during the rehabilitation period? Are there any complications after the procedure?

Plasmolifting procedure does not require special long preparation and, as a rule, passes without complications, takes a short rehabilitation period. Of course, as for any injection techniques, there are a number of contraindications for this procedure. The main ones I would include inflammatory processes on the scalp, infiltrates and neoplasms, generalized herpes infection, blood diseases and systemic diseases of the connective tissue, taking anticoagulants.

After the procedure, I recommend that my patients do not visit the pool and sauna, do not take alcohol, wash their hair if desired, no later than 3 hours after the procedure.

Important! The key to healthy and strong hair is complex care and treatment. The plasma therapy procedure should be prescribed and carried out exclusively by a qualified doctor!

Source estet-portal.com