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Long gone are the days when hair loss was a problem without an adequate solution. Various options to address hair loss, hair thinning, and other hair-related concerns are available to men and women alike. Probably the most talked-about methods nowadays are PRP and SMP. But how do they compare and which option is better for you? The main objective of this post is to give you the most accurate answer to this question, so scroll down to check it out.
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, and it's a therapy wherein a person's blood is used to stimulate hair growth. In order to understand PRP, it's important to cover the basics. You see, platelets are a component of your blood, just like red and white blood cells. When you sustain a wound or cut, the platelets are the first "responders" that arrive on the affected site to promote the healing process and stop the bleeding.
The main premise behind PRP therapy was that scientists believed extracting concentrated platelets and injecting them into the damaged areas of the body, they could speed up healing. Of course, the initial purpose of PRP wasn’t to tackle hair loss but to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, joints, and muscles. Many athletes undergo PRP treatment to tackle their injuries.
As technology evolved, PRP improved as well, and new applications of the therapy emerged. One of them is PRP for hair loss and chances are high you came across this treatment while browsing for different ways to solve hair thinning and hair loss.
Scalp micropigmentatation (SMP NYC) is an innovative, non-invasive hair loss solution that replicates the appearance of fuller, thicker hair. The main objective of this simple and easy treatment is to camouflage hair loss and allow men and women who struggle with this problem to solve it without too much hassle. What sets SMP apart from other hair loss solutions is an entirely natural result. Nobody can suspect you have undergone a treatment because the treated area is exactly like the rest of your scalp.
Both SMP and PRP aim to address hair loss, but they do it differently. Generally speaking, PRP is a lot more complex than SMP. You see, scalp micropigmentation involves using a tattoo needle-like device with pigment to create dots on the scalp. Those dots mimic hair follicles. In people who suffer male and female pattern baldness, SMP gives more depth, and hair appears fuller and more voluminous. On the other hand, in bald clients, SMP looks like a buzz cut. Different pigment hues are used to create natural shade. That way, the result is realistic. As mentioned above, nobody can suspect you had SMP.
PRP is more complicated than that. To perform PRP, the medical professional needs to draw blood from a vein in the arm. Then, the blood sample is placed into the centrifuge, which spins it and separates components of the blood. The medical professional uses a syringe to extract the platelets. These platelets are then inserted into targeted areas of the scalp.
SMP requires a few sessions, usually two to four, placed one week apart. PRP is spread across three sessions scheduled a few weeks apart.
What every man or woman with hair-related concerns wants is to find a long-term solution. Nobody wants short-term results because they imply you have to pay again and again for the same thing. Plus, it’s difficult to work on your confidence when the progress you’ve made keeps going away.
The best thing about SMP is its durability. This therapy is a long-term solution for hair loss. As a result, your confidence increases noticeably, and it's easier to relax, knowing your scalp looks perfect.
On the flip side, PRP requires multiple visits to get more injections that would maintain hair growth. The frequency of your visits to the medical professional's office depends on the results of the initial treatment. Most patients need to return every three to six months for maintenance injections. For that reason, PRP is not the most practical choice for many. Basically, the results may miss out, and even if hair growth happens, it's going to "stick" only if you keep going back for more injections.
Now that we have discussed the basics of both treatments for hair loss, you're probably wondering what the best choice is for you.
First, it's important to clarify the biggest decision-making factor is your preference. To some people, PRP seems like a great way to address hair loss; others may prefer SMP.
These two treatments have something in common. They address hair loss, and both are non-invasive. That being said, they have some significant differences too.
While numerous studies have been conducted on PRP, they largely focused on its relation to recovery after injuries. Evidence on PRP for hair loss is limited. The biggest issue here is that, at this point, it’s not clear how effective PRP is on its own. That’s why some people use it in combination with other treatments. A combination of PRP and SMP could hit the jackpot.
While the success of PRP on its own is unclear, SMP is considered highly effective. Above all, it’s a permanent solution for hair loss. The procedure is easier, more affordable, and lasts longer.
Both platelet-rich plasma and scalp micropigmentation are popular treatments for hair loss. Besides a few things in common, these two treatments have numerous differences starting with the mechanism of action. While you have to go back every few months for maintenance injections to ensure your PRP results are maintained, SMP poses as a permanent solution. For that reason, and many others mentioned above, SMP is a more practical choice for men and women with hair loss. Plus, SMP is reasonably priced. A combination of these two treatments could be useful, as well. The best thing about SMP is its simplicity and a realistic appearance that other therapies don't match.
