PRP for hair loss?

[wand3rer]

Hi 😊

I've been experiencing severe hair loss over the past five months, with more than 500 hairs lost per day (I counted on 6 occasions 😬). The thinning is diffuse. I estimate I've lost around 75% of my hair.

My ferritin levels were at 28 and my GP prescribed iron supplements. All other blood tests came back normal.

I've been using gentle shampoos, hair loss serums, and taking iron, biotin, omega-3s, collagen, and vitamin D for months. No improvement in terms of hair loss. No baby hair growth.

I'm considering PRP therapy:

• Is it ever possible to use private health insurance for hair loss treatment, or is it typically considered cosmetic?

• Has PRP worked for you? If so, how many sessions did you need to see results?

• Any recommendation for a reasonably-priced reputable clinic in London for PRP?

Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

Sorry to hear about your hair loss, it sounds pretty severe.

There are many different causes of hair loss and before you start investing in expensive procedures like PRP you need to get a diagnosis to make sure you get the right treatment .

What does your GP say?

If I was you I would ask your GP to refer you to a dermatologist, they can diagnose the cause of your hair loss and then recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Thanks @LottieSparkles!

I was self‑supplementing for the first few months. I didn’t have the blood tests as soon as I started losing my hair, as it is so hard to get basic appointments.

My iron prescription is for 3 months, and I have a month left. My GP won’t do anything until I’m done with the prescription. And even then, getting a referral will be a battle! 😬

How old are you? Could peri be contributing?

Close friend of mine had three sessions and it didn’t work at all. She had tried all those things as well.

Sorry OP insurance won’t cover it as it’s considered cosmetic.

I would see your GP and see what else you can do. Save your money on thr PRP. She is going to try the laser cap thing and see if that does anything….

@WorriedRelative

Early 40s, with regular periods.

I expected some thinning and shedding with perimenopause or just age in general. But this is brutal!

And all the women in my family have plenty of hair on both sides 😊

@Hiptothisjive

Sorry to hear RPR didn’t work for your friend. Hopefully she sees some positive results with the laser cap/LED helmet. If she does, please come back to share the good news 😊 I’m thinking about getting one myself

OP, I strongly recommend you use minoxidil twice a day, in the form of Regaine 5% (not the weaker one for women). There's every chance it will stop the hair loss and might even cause regrowth. It's the only treatment (apart from Finasteride) that is proven to work.

Other than that you need blood tests to give a thorough profile of not just your iron levels but other minerals/vitamins too. If you can afford to go to a reputable trichologist they will recommend which you need and you should then be able to get them done on the NHS via your GP.

I recommend that before you do anything you go and see a tricologist. They are hair experts. I went to one recently after really worrying shedding. It was worth every penny (and it was expensive!) if you want expert advice see an expert not a GP.

@notwavingbutdrowning1
My understanding is that any hair gained from using Minoxidil sheds once the treatment is stopped. I’m really hoping to fix the underlying issue rather than rely on a short-term solution 🙏

My blood test was quite extensive: vitamin B12, folate, thyroid function, and many others. Iron wasn’t flagged since it’s still within the normal range, but it’s on the lower end in the context of hair loss. I spotted that and requested supplementation.

@notwavingbutdrowning1 @pinklilys
You’re both recommending seeing a trichologist ☺️ I’ve checked with my insurer and unfortunately they don’t cover anything related to hair loss.

@pinklilys
Was yours in London? 🙏

@wand3rer, my point was that Minoxidil would stabilise your hair loss until you've identified an underlying cause. If there is no obvious cause, then Minoxidil is pretty much your only option. Yes, the effects last only as long as you keep using it - which is why most people who depend on it use it permanently. It becomes part of your routine, like brushing your teeth.

And yes, trichologists can be expensive but I have just checked the price of a laser cap/LED helmet and it's £650!! You would still need to see a trichologist to establish the cause of your hair loss in order to assess whether a helmet would be effective (and although the results are promising in some cases, there is no conclusive evidence).