Real Life Insight: Pierre’s Experience with PRP Injections
Photos D.R.
Words Anthony Vincent
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At the age of 30, Pierre started using a cosmetic medicine procedure known as PRP. It’s becoming more and more common among men wanting to boost their hair health and regain hair density. Here he shares his story with us.
When we met him a few years ago, his Instagram bio read, "My hair is my beauty capital." And his haircare routine at the time confirmed this investment! He was taking excellent care of his very thick hair, and let it grow long without really knowing if it suited him. Today, at the start of his thirties, Pierre is starting a new investment in mane maintenance. He’s started PRP injections: Platelet-Rich Plasma (aka Protein-Rich Plasma).
This aesthetic medicine technique involves extracting your own blood into a tube. The blood sample tube contains a gel that helps separate white blood cells and platelets from red blood cells. Once spun in a centrifuge, the tube collects platelet-rich plasma together on the surface. These platelets are full of growth stimulators that can, for example, improve cell renewal. The collected plasma is then re-injected locally, for joint pain, facial care, sports injuries, to reduce pain, or hair health, in Pierre's case. We asked him a few questions about the process.
Why did you start PRP?
I noticed I was losing some hair thickness at the front of my scalp. It wasn’t enough to consider hair implants but enough to worry me! So, I started researching online and read several articles on PRP. I talked to a doctor friend and decided to try it.
Were you already treating your hair before starting PRP?
I've been taking minoxidil (a medication often used to slow hair loss, ed.) for two years already. As soon as I noticed I was losing hair density, I started this anti-hair loss treatment. Now that it's stabilized, and my hair isn't falling out, I decided to start PRP therapy to regain density.
How was your first session? What did you feel?
I wasn't intimidated by my first session because I knew the doctor and where I was going. But it was painful. The advantage is that it's very quick, the session lasts half an hour and the injections themselves last less than 10 minutes. It hurts, yes, but really not for long and it's bearable.
As someone with multiple tattoos, did you find PRP more painful than getting a tattoo, for example?
It's very different from tattoo pain because that's a prolonged and diffuse pain. PRP is really localized and super quick. You feel the needle being pushed into your skull, and since it's not a very soft part, it hurts. I didn't have any anesthetic cream, but the injections really last barely five minutes.
Did you have a particular protocol or healing process to follow after your PRP session?
After an injection session, there's no complicated post-care protocol. It's very simple: just no shampoo for 24 hours and a good scalp massage after 48 hours. Normally, results start to appear from the third session, each spaced a month and a half apart, so about 4 months after the first.
How much do PRP injections cost you?
I pay about €600 per session, so that's €2400 for 4 sessions, and I'm pretty confident about the results.
What's something you wish you knew beforehand that you learned on the spot?
If there's one thing I wish I knew before starting, it's just that it hurts a bit (laughs)!