In October 2022, I started my platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, journey to help regrow my edges that were thinned out badly due to stress, covid, and a tight weave. After three sessions, spaced a month apart, I experienced significant hair growth.
A quick explainer: PRP is a treatment that involves injecting a concentration of a your own platelets into your scalp to promote hair growth. Platelets are a type of blood cell that contains growth factors which may help stimulate hair follicles and regrow hair.
In order to achieve and maintain the best results for PRP, it’s recommended to get it done once every six months after your initial three sessions but let’s be real: This is a very expensive treatment in New York City. I spent $1,000 on one session at a dermatologist and then $800 for two sessions at a med spa.
In February, I was able to find a great deal on GroupOn for a session of PRP for $300 at Radiant Beauty MedSpa in Manhattan. My session went just like the others: My blood was drawn, spun in a centrifuge for about 15 minutes to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the blood, and then it was injected into my hairline and crown. The only thing that was different was about this session is the nurse used a type of syringe that had many little needles on the tip instead of just one, so the process of injecting was quicker. But, I found this type of syringe to be a lot more painful.
Here’s my hairline from February to now:
As you can see, I’ve gotten quite a bit of growth in three months; the hair on my hairline used to grow in really wispy and now the strands are growing in thicker. In addition to the PRP, I do several things to maximize and maintain my results:
Topical minoxidil and hair growth oil
My dermatologist recommended using topical minoxidil, such as Rogaine, on my edges to regrow them. I use the Rogaine Women’s 2% Topical Solution. The three-month pack from Amazon lasts me a year due to how I space it out.
I’ve seen a lot of success with minoxidil, but if you stop using it, you lose the hair. I’ve avoided this by only using it a few times a week and supplementing with my home made hair growth oil. If you don’t feel like making your own oil, the Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil is a great option that I’ve also used!
Derma rolling
A derma roller is a small handheld device with a roller covered in tiny needles. It is used to create micro-punctures in the skin, which are intended to stimulate blood flow, collagen production, and the absorption of products.
I use a derma roller with 1.5 mm needles. I sanitize the roller with rubbing alcohol and then roll it back and forth, up and down, and diagonally four to five times. Then I apply the Rogaine and gently rub in. Make sure to sanitize the derma roller again before putting it away.
No tension on edges
If you’re trying to regrow your hairline, you need to avoid putting tension on that area. This means avoiding tight hairstyles like weaves, wigs, and braids. I have gotten knotless braids several times during this journey, but have left my edges unbraided. When I have braids, I don’t put them up in a high pony or any other style that would pull at my hairline.
Hair loss can feel like the end of the world but there are options out there! Platelet-rich plasma is a great one if you have hair loss around your edges that isn’t too advanced. Results are not guaranteed and it’s not recommended for those with scarring alopecia. If you’re experiencing hair loss, go to a dermatologist to discuss your options before trying anything someone on the internet — that includes me! — tells you to.
This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Please note that I only recommend products that I personally use and believe in.
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