WHAT TO EXPECT WITH PRP HAIR RESTORATION

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one of the most popular hair restoration treatments. Offered at our San Diego, CA office, PRP is a relatively simple process involving blood withdrawal, processing, and injection into the scalp. Used since the 1980s in patients with hair loss, PRP injections can trigger natural hair growth, growth maintenance, and hair shaft thickening. These benefits occur through increased blood supply to targeted follicles. In essence, the PRP injections feed the follicles the blood and nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth. If you’re interested in PRP hair restoration, then Dr. Erica Oberg and our team at VitaLab Wellness can help you create a personalized treatment plan for your goals.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy involves three steps for hair loss treatment. The three steps involved in each PRP treatment include:

1. Our team draws blood from your arm. Your blood goes into a centrifuge, where it is rapidly spun down to separate it into three layers. These layers include platelet-poor plasma, platelet-rich plasma, and red blood cells.
2. After about 10 minutes of processing in the centrifuge, your separated platelet-rich plasma is drawn into a syringe.
3. Our team injects your platelet-rich plasma into the areas of your scalp experiencing hair loss or thinning.

Most patients undergo three treatment sessions over the course of 4-6 weeks. Once you complete your initial treatment package, it’s important to undergo maintenance treatments every 6-12 months to continue stimulating hair growth over time.

There’s still much studying being done about PRP and its applications. Although this hair restoration method has existed for a few decades, it is still a relatively young procedure with developing clinical evidence. The process of hair restoration is complex and there are few effective options available. However, PRP therapy does show great promise in many patients. It works best in combination with other proven hair restoration treatments like medications or light therapies. Dr. Oberg will develop a complete treatment approach for your goals using our best hair restoration treatments.

PRP therapy uses your own blood. For this reason, there is no risk of contracting communicable diseases during your treatment. But, like any medical procedure involving injections, there are some potential side effects.

These side effects may include:

• Blood vessel or nerve injury
• Infection
• Calcification at injection sites
• Scar tissue development

There’s also a risk of side effects from the anesthetic used to numb the injection region. If you have a history of negative reactions to anesthetics or drug allergies, it is important to discuss these with Dr. Oberg and our team during your cosmetic consultation.

Before your PRP hair restoration begins, you’ll discuss the medications you take. This discussion should include supplements and herbs.

Not everyone is a good candidate for PRP hair restoration. The following factors should be discussed during your consultation:

• Taking blood thinners
• Heavy smoking
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Cancer
• Acute or chronic infections
• Chronic liver disease
• Chronic skin disease
• Metabolic disorder
• Hemodynamic instability
• Hypofibrinogenemia
• Platelet dysfunction syndromes
• Sepsis
• Systemic disorder
• Thyroid disease
• Low platelet count

The total cost of your PRP hair restoration package will include your initial three treatments along with maintenance treatments every year. During a consultation, you’ll be given a full cost estimate of your treatment.

Of course, there are multiple factors affecting PRP therapy cost. These factors include:

• Geographic region
• Equipment and materials
• Additional medications or associated treatments

Because insurance companies typically consider PRP hair restoration a cosmetic procedure, health insurance will likely not cover these costs. Our team can help you explore financing options during your consultation.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one of the most popular hair restoration treatments. Offered at our San Diego, CA office, PRP is a relatively simple process involving blood withdrawal, processing, and injection into the scalp. Used since the 1980s in patients with hair loss, PRP injections can trigger natural hair growth, growth maintenance, and hair shaft thickening. These benefits occur when growth factors in the plasma stimulate resting follicles, triggering regenerative processes like increased blood supply to targeted follicles, and rebooting anagen growth cycles. In essence, the PRP injections feed the follicles the blood and nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth.

If you’re interested in PRP hair restoration, Dr. Erica Oberg and our team at VitaLab Wellness can help you create a personalized treatment plan for your goals.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy involves three steps for hair loss treatment. The three steps involved in each PRP treatment include:

1. Our team draws blood from your arm. Your blood goes into a centrifuge, where it is rapidly spun down to separate it into three layers. These layers include platelet-poor plasma, platelet-rich plasma, and red blood cells.
2. After about 20 minutes of processing in the centrifuge, your separated platelet-rich plasma is drawn into a syringe.
3. Our team injects your platelet-rich plasma into the areas of your scalp experiencing hair loss or thinning.

Most patients undergo three treatment sessions over the course of 4-6 weeks. Once you complete your initial treatment package, it’s important to undergo maintenance treatments every 4-6 months to continue stimulating hair growth over time.

There is an accumulating body of research demonstrating and quantifying the benefits of PRP for hair restoration. A recent meta-analysis found statistically significant hair regrowth after 3 treatments in both men and women with androgenic alopecia[1]. Another research review, which reported that the majority of PRP hair restoration trials had positive outcomes, concluded “When compared with traditional oral/topical treatments, the lack of identifiable complications and convenience of treatment provide a positive outlook for future use and investigation [of PRP for hair restoration].[2]The process of hair restoration is complex and there are few effective options available. However, PRP therapy does show great promise in many patients. It works best in combination with other proven hair restoration treatments like medications or light therapies. Dr. Oberg will develop a complete treatment approach for your goals using our best hair restoration treatments.

PRP therapy uses your own blood. For this reason, there is no risk of contracting communicable diseases during your treatment. But, like any medical procedure involving injections, there are some potential side effects.

These side effects may include:

• Blood vessel or nerve injury
• Infection
• Calcification at injection sites
• Scar tissue development

There’s also a risk of side effects from the anesthetic used to numb the injection region. If you have a history of negative reactions to anesthetics or drug allergies, it is important to discuss these with Dr. Oberg and our team during your cosmetic consultation.



PRP therapy uses your own blood. For this reason, there is no risk of contracting communicable diseases during your treatment. But, like any medical procedure involving injections, there are some potential side effects. These side effects may include:

• Blood vessel or nerve injury
• Infection
• Calcification at injection sites
• Scar tissue development

There’s also a risk of side effects from the anesthetic used to numb the injection region. If you have a history of negative reactions to anesthetics or drug allergies, it is important to discuss these with Dr. Oberg and our team during your cosmetic consultation.

Before your PRP hair restoration begins, you’ll discuss the medications you take. This discussion should include supplements and herbs. Not everyone is a good candidate for PRP hair restoration. The following factors should be discussed during your consultation:

• Taking blood thinners
• Heavy smoking
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Cancer
• Acute or chronic infections
• Chronic liver disease
• Chronic skin disease
• Metabolic disorder
• Hemodynamic instability
• Hypofibrinogenemia
• Platelet dysfunction syndromes
• Sepsis
• Systemic disorder
• Thyroid disease
• Low platelet count

The total cost of your PRP hair restoration package will include your initial three treatments along with a consultation about medications, dietary supplements, LLLT, and other treatment options that may be right for you. During a consultation, you’ll be given a full cost estimate of your treatment but in general a series of PRP in San Diego costs between $1200 and $5900. Of course, there are multiple factors affecting PRP therapy cost. These factors include:

• The area(s) to be treated
• The quality of your plasma
• Additional medications or associated treatments

Because insurance companies typically consider PRP hair restoration a cosmetic procedure, health insurance will likely not cover these costs. We do offer payment plans, and our team can help you explore financing options during your consultation.

If you are experiencing hair thinning or hair loss, VitaLab in San Diego, CA can help. We offer PRP therapy for hair restoration and other treatments for brain health, body wellness, anti-aging, and aesthetics. Schedule your VitaLab consultation appointment today by calling (858)683-6522 or by filling out our easy contact form.