A leading market research and consultancy firm has recently turned its focus on the Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) market. Data Bridge Market Research estimated that the global PRP market would grow from USD 537.85 million in 2021 to USD 1426.81 million in 2029. That’s a lot of PRP! While no one is suggesting that hair restoration treatments are behind all of that growth, there is little doubt that they’re part of the story. Recent years have seen PRP therapy gaining momentum in the hair restoration business. It has become an increasingly popular treatment among people of all ages and backgrounds, and its benefits are supported by academic and clinical studies.
Let’s look at some of the reasons why PRP is soaring in popularity around the world!
Is PRP a New Treatment?
While PRP is comparatively new to the hair restoration and cosmetics scenes, it is not a new treatment. It has been used for a few decades to treat various medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and chronic wounds. It has demonstrated its effectiveness at reducing pain, improving joint function, and stimulating healing in ways that conventional treatment methods cannot do.
In essence, PRP is a concentration of platelets derived from a sample of the patient’s own blood. The platelets contain a high concentration of growth factors that are known to promote tissue repair and healing. The therapy involves injecting the concentrated platelets into the affected area.
Sports Medicine
One study carried out by researchers from the University Hospital of Parma in 2014 concluded that ‘PRP injections allow physiological, rapid and lasting healing of muscle lesion.’ Other work has shown that PRP can accelerate the healing process and reduce the recovery time of athletes with injuries.
It’s unsurprising, therefore, that one of the major growth areas for PRP in recent years has been in sports medicine. Many athletes across a range of sports have used PRP to speed up their recovery from injuries and to improve their performance. Golfer Tiger Woods, tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, and footballer Christiano Ronaldo have all undergone PRP therapy to heal their injuries.
Professional athletes have turned to PRP because it’s a safe and minimally invasive procedure. Unlike surgery, it doesn’t require a long recovery time or general anaesthesia, and it doesn’t have the same risks associated with surgery. Furthermore, PRP is a natural treatment option as it uses the patient’s own blood, making it a safe and ethical choice.
Cosmetic Benefits
PRP has also become popular for its cosmetic benefits. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Bar Refaeli, and Angelina Jolie have all undergone PRP therapy for skin rejuvenation, as it has proved an effective way of reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and scars, giving the recipient a more youthful appearance.
Use in Hair Restoration
PRP has become such a popular treatment option in hair restoration because of its ability to increase hair thickness and stimulate hair growth. The growth factors and cytokines it contains can stimulate hair growth by increasing blood supply to the hair follicles, promoting cell growth and reducing inflammation. The growth factors also have an important role in regulating the hair growth cycle.
When PRP is injected into the scalp, it can increase the thickness and strength of hair follicles, leading to an increase in hair density and a decrease in hair loss. This was confirmed by a study done by Chinese researchers in 2019, whose work concluded that PRP could reduce hair loss and improve hair diameter and density in cases of androgenic alopecia.
In addition, PRP therapy may also improve the overall health and quality of the hair. The process typically involves a series of injections over a period of several months, with maintenance treatments recommended every six to twelve months.
In 2020, researchers from Michigan and Baltimore in the United States published work concluding that ‘platelet-rich plasma produced successful hair growth in androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.’ The researchers put forward the view that three or four monthly sessions of PRP were required to treat alopecia effectively.
Final Thoughts
PRP treatment is soaring in popularity around the world due to its numerous benefits and versatility. Hair restoration is just one of the areas in which it is demonstrating its value. Not only is it highly effective, but it’s a safe and minimally invasive procedure that does not require a long recovery time.
If you’re concerned about weak hair growth or by the loss or thinning of your strands, Vinci Hair Clinic can help. We’re one of the leading hair restoration organisations in the world, with an unrivalled range of treatments and procedures. Even better, we offer all our new clients a free, no-obligation consultation, one that can happen in person or over the phone using photographs. All you have to do is get in touch to arrange your appointment!
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