A small amount of blood is withdrawn from the patient and centrifuged at a high speed and the platelet concentrate is injected intradermally into the scalp for scalp mesotherapy. Growth factors and healing proteins from the platelets improve circulation to the hair follicles, causing hair follicle growth and thus causing hair growth.
Growth factors like platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor released from alfa granules of the platelets increase the proliferation of fibroblasts, production of procollagen type 1 carboxy peptide by the dermal fibroblasts and thus improves the structural integrity of the skin. This property enables platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to be used in photoaged and aged skin. PRP also induces the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, which break down and remove the collagen fragments that interfere with new collagen formation in aged skin. Thus, PRP helps in remodelling of the skin. However, further studies are needed to ensure the safety of PRP as a component of mesotherapy.
Usually done once in every 4-6 months for 1 year, then every year as maintenance therapy depending on the patient′s response.
Growth factor concentrate(GFC):
GFC is a 2nd generation platelet concentrate which is applied topically on scalp fibrin rich growth matrix (Sacco in 2006) which releases PDGF, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and β2 (TGF-β2), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), VEGF, brain-derived growth factor (BDGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) stimulating cell proliferation, matrix remodeling and angiogenesis.In vitro study has proved that growth factors such as TNF-α and BDGF showed fast kinetic release from the concentrate and reached its maximum accumulation in the 1st and 3rd day, respectively. Similarly, PDGF-AB, TGF-β1, and IGF-I had constant kinetic release and reached its maximum in the 3rd and 6th day, respectively. VEGF and BMP-2 had slow kinetic release and reached its maximum in the 8th day. These growth factors predominantly play a role in osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.GFC acts by degranulation of the alpha granules in platelets that contain growth factors which play a vital role in early wound healing.The biphasic platelets in CGF are accelerated by thrombin, induce the release of growth factors and other substances which enhance the wound-healing process by increasing cellular proliferation, matrix formation, osteoid production, connective tissue healing, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis.
Numerous studies conducted internationally have shown concentration of stem cell growth factors to be far superior in GFC as compared to PRP which when extracted contains certain unwanted cells. Number of sessions and downtime required is also much higher when it comes to PRP whereas with GFC results are optimum and are seen with fewer sessions. Last but not least, pain and inflammation which a lot of clients complain about with PRP is very less with GFC with clients feedback stating that the treatment was very comfortable.