PRP vs. Hair Transplant in Toronto: Which Is Better for You?

This newer option, called platelet rich plasma therapy, is derived from a person’s blood. While that may sound strange at first, this therapy is well-established in multiple medical fields as a reliable adjunct to healing and tissue regeneration. PRP was originally used for surgical sites after cardiac and other surgeries, but orthopedic, dental, and facial plastic surgeons have been using platelet-rich plasma to speed up healing and new cell development for decades.

Your platelets play an essential role in wound healing. They signal your body to reduce inflammation, develop new blood vessels (angiogenesis), and stimulate the correct cell types to grow. They contain multiple growth factors that generate new tissue, so it’s no wonder that physicians and researchers have developed ways to concentrate and harness this power.

PRP for hair was introduced to the Toronto hair transplant scene as a post-procedure treatment to help new grafts take hold and establish faster. Studies are ongoing to determine the specifics of efficacy, yet so far, outcomes are promising. Surgeons report seeing their patients heal faster and sprout new hair strands more rapidly too.

This success led to using PRP on its own for people not undergoing hair transplants. Hair specialist Dr. Torgerson offers PRP treatment for people with thin hair or various conditions that affect scalp health and hair quality.

While PRP for androgenic alopecia (pattern baldness) is typical, it’s also used for alopecia areata (an auto-immune disorder causing patchy bald spots), traction alopecia (due to tight hairstyles), or restoration after illness, stress, or pregnancy.

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How are the treatments done?

You’ll need to have a small sample of blood drawn from your arm, then processed in a centrifuge. This is done comfortably and quickly in the office. The platelet-rich formulation is drawn into a syringe, then superficially injected at the hair roots. Topical anaesthetic keeps the patient pain-free, and the entire process usually takes less than an hour.

In contrast, a hair transplant in Toronto is considerably more involved. The surgeon excises tiny, micro-follicle units out of the donor area using an FUE rotary punch. Each little incision will be less than 1 mm wide. The implantation of each precious graft requires artistic skill and strategic planning.

An expert hair transplant surgeon will design the new hairline or filled-in area to look natural in both density and growth direction. Very fine, single-hair grafts can be placed along edges to complete the subtle, natural effect. This is a time-consuming process, and though it is minimally invasive due to the small size of the incisions, it’s still considered a surgical procedure. The entire session may take 6 to 8 hours.

What are the similarities between a hair transplant and PRP?

Both trigger hair growth naturally, without drugs.
Both are safe with minimal side effects if carried out by a qualified professional.
Both require active hair follicles to work.
Both rely on the natural growth cycle of hairs and take time to see results.
Both are typically offered in a Toronto hair transplant surgeon’s office.
Both can deliver entirely natural-looking results.

What are the primary differences between PRP and hair transplant?

While PRP requires no downtime, an FUE hair transplant does require at least 1 week off in most cases.
FUE requires tiny incisions, while PRP therapy is minimally invasive, because it uses only shallow injections.
FUE redistributes active hair follicles, while PRP stimulates the follicles where they are.
FUE hair transplant requires a significant financial investment, while PRP costs less but will usually be repeated a few times for desired results.
FUE can create dramatic changes to a person’s appearance, while PRP results are more subtle.
Hair transplant surgery comes with rare but potential risks like infection, scarring, or failed grafts, whereas PRP comes with very few risks because it is derived from a patient’s body and doesn’t require incisions.
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for a hair transplant, while virtually anyone can have PRP treatment to improve scalp health and boost the hair they have.

We recommend that you meet with a hair specialist in person for a detailed assessment and chat about your goals. A surgeon like Dr. Torgerson knows what questions to ask his hair transplant clients and can assess the scalp and hair roots to determine specific needs. Your hair restoration should be completely customized for you. That means your expectations, your budget, your existing hair, and your desires are all taken into account.

The best part is, both of these excellent procedures can be done together. Can’t decide? You can proceed with both! Dr. Torgerson will tell you how. Schedule your consultation and find out what the options are to improve your hair.

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PRP vs. Hair Transplant in Toronto: Which Is Better for You?