when we get these people to grow their
hair and we get them to where they don’t
have to think about their hair 24/7, it
makes a huge difference in their psychological
make up.”
The process begins with an extensive
consultation, explained Dr. Rapaport. The
consultation looks for the reasons for hair
loss to see if the patient makes for a good
candidate for the platelet-rich plasma
treatment, as some causes are less receptive
to the treatments than others. The
consultation includes a review of medical
history, a history of hair loss, as well as an
examination with magnification and a dermoscopy,
which is a magnification that
goes into a computer. If needed, blood
work and biopsy is also obtained.
After a candidate is deemed eligible for
the platelet-rich plasma treatment, the risks
and benefits are discussed and then, if they
decide to proceed, the patient goes to get
blood drawn. From there, they spin down
the platelets and plasma. The white and red
blood cells are then discarded and it is put
in a syringe. Topical numbing medications
and a cold-air blower are then used. The
treatment itself takes 5-10 minutes.
The success of the treatment varies,
however, based on the patient and it also
varies based on how early the patient
comes in. Dr. Rapaport urges patients to
go in as soon as they notice any hair loss
and encourages a visit to a hair loss expert.
“The success rate varies based on the
diagnosis you’re treating, how long the
hair loss has been present, whether it’s
scaring or non-scaring hair loss, whether
there’s a genetic history, etc., so it totally
varies with a lot of different things,” Dr.
Rapaport said. “With experience, you
know you can give a patient an estimate.
On average, the way you measure success
is one of three ways. First would be decrease
of the existing shedding. Most people
will have decrease of existing
shedding up to 85-90 percent if they’re
good candidates. The second thing is they
will notice the hair will start to grow in
thicker. That’s anywhere from 65-90 per-
BC Health, Beauty & Fitness 43