
One of the most fascinating things about studying hair loss and hair restoration is that new discoveries are being made almost every day. From new surgical techniques and equipment to improved hair transplantation results to advanced non-surgical hair maintenance treatments that can help prevent patients from losing hair early in life, Dr. Amir Yazdan at The Modena Hair Institute has been at the forefront of hair restoration research. In that time, he has had the opportunity to experiment with many different treatment methods – one of the most exciting and versatile he has found is the use of platelet rich plasma, or PRP, which relies on the natural healing properties of a patient’s own blood to significantly improve both surgical and non-surgical hair restoration results.
How Does Platelet Rich Plasma Work?
The blood in your body is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which are small, disk-shaped cell fragments that facilitate clotting, promote tissue regeneration, and secrete growth factors that initiate cell regrowth. Platelet rich plasma is created by spinning a sample of the patient’s own blood in a centrifuge to separate out a concentrated solution of platelets and plasma components. Platelet rich plasma contains approximately five to seven times the number of platelets found in normal circulating blood along with bioactive proteins that aid in wound healing and is frequently used to help speed the recovery of patients who have suffered from sports injuries and other forms of trauma.
The Amazing Results of PRP
At Modena Hair Institute in Orange County, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, we use platelet rich plasma in one of two ways. First, platelet rich plasma serves as an excellent, nutrient rich transport material for donor follicles that are harvested during follicular unit grafting or follicular unit extraction (FUE) surgical hair transplantation procedures. By keeping these follicles in a healthy state we can significantly improve their survival rate and overall hair transplant results. Moreover, our research has found that injecting concentrated PRP directly into the patient’s scalp can increase both the size and healthiness of hair follicles that have begun to shrink as a result of androgenetic alopecia, or common genetic pattern baldness. This means that injections of platelet rich plasma can create thicker looking hair by promoting growth if the dormant follicles, slow the progression of some forms of hair loss, and help maintain hair transplantation results.
Every patient and every case of hair loss is unique, so platelet rich plasma is not necessarily the right treatment for everyone. At Modena Hair Institute we carefully diagnose the nature of your hair loss so that we can create a customized treatment plan that is right for you.
Commonly asked questions about Platelet Rich Plasma Treatments:
Q: How long does it take to recover from PRP?
A: Most PRP patients can continue their daily activities immediately following the injections.
Q: How long does it take for PRP to take effect?
A: We recommend a set of three initial treatments that are each six weeks apart, followed by a repeat treatment one year after the first to achieve the best results.
Q: Can PRP grow new hair?
A: PRP has proven effective as a standalone treatment for patients with specific types of hair loss, particularly for genetic pattern hair loss and some forms of traction alopecia. It has even been effective with some cases of alopecia areata, eyebrow hypertrichosis, and chronic telogen effluvium.
Q: How long does a PRP treatment session take?
A: Each treatment generally takes less than an hour.
Q: What are the side effects of platelet rich plasma therapy treatments?
A: Side effects are minimal, with the most common being some pain with the injection, pinpoint bleeding, and redness at the site of injection. Less common, but always a risk with any type of injection treatment, are injury to blood vessels or nerves, infection, calcification at the injection points, and scar tissue.
Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.









Hair loss and thinning can have a dramatic impact on a women’s confidence and self-assurance. While it’s easy for females to feel alone in suffering from hair loss, it is actually quite common. It’s most common in women during and post-menopause, however, it can begin as early as a woman’s 20’s.
If you’ve been sliding down a slope of thinning hair or a balding crown and have begun your hunt into hair restoration and ways to revamp your tresses, you may realize just how daunting of a subject it can be. Between all the ‘medical’ terminology and companies trying to sell miracle cures, figuring out what really works can feel like looking for a diamond in the rough!
Even though the common belief is that the world of hair restoration began in the Unites States, it didn’t. The roots of modern day surgical hair restoration were actually cultivated in Japan in the late 1930’s. It was in 1939 that Japanese physician, Dr. Okuda described in detail his groundbreaking work in surgical hair restoration for burn victims. He created a grafting technique also known as the “punch” technique to harvest round sections of hair-bearing skin (tissue), which were then transplanted into small round holes at the recipient site. The use of this method was used in order to regrow hair in burn victims and the holes were prepared in the scared or burned areas of the scalps of his patients. After the skin grafts healed, they continued to yield hair in the previously bald areas of scalp.
It is well known that the sun damages our skin, but does it damage our hair as well? Scientific research says yes. Further, chlorine and saltwater will also take a toll on our luscious locks we work so hard to keep soft and healthy. The not-so-pleasant outcome: a few weeks into summer, hair that was once shiny and easily managed looks and feels as stiff and crunchy as a McDonald french-fry. “The ultraviolet rays of the sun actually cook the hair shaft” says world-renowned Hair Restoration Specialist, Dr. Yazdan.
Medications are designed to treat a wide range of health conditions, but sometimes they can have unwarranted side effects including changes in our hair. Changes in hair color, texture and you guessed it…even hair loss! Medication-induced hair loss, just like any other form of hair loss, can have a profound influence on men and women’s self-esteem. The good news is – once the medication is stopped, your hair loss most likely can be reversed. Now for the unwelcome news – many of us must take these medications to treat a more fundamental problem (i.e. thyroid problem) creating a vicious cycle of problems and frustration.
Hair loss problems can be caused by a plethora of assorted reasons. While this can seem alarming, in many cases hair loss can be reversible once the problem is identified and a solution has taken place. However, there are many instances in which new hair growth becomes impossible due to permanent damage to follicles of the scalp. For these patients, typical hair treatment tips and tricks just won’t cut it and a more permanent solution is needed.
Is there any truth to the old wives’ tale that says wearing hats can subsequently lead to hair loss? Maybe the rigmarole stemmed from so many balding men that used to wear hats to cover up their hair loss or maybe it/s because people think that hats have a negative effect on scalp circulation? We’re here to tell you in truth – hats do not cause or contribute to your hair loss! No need to hang up your favorite baseball cap, you can carry on wearing hats even on a daily basis without it affecting the amount of hair on your head.
It is perfectly normal for us to prefer certain facial features over others. If you find yourself self-conscious about having a large forehead then first of all, don’t worry – you’re not alone! Whether you were born that way or over the years you’ve begun to see one of the tell-tale signs of aging – a receding forehead where the hairline slowly retreats further back onto the scalp – many of us have been there.
Don’t let these male celebrities fool you – they haven’t always had their flowing locks! Celebs are constantly being put under a microscope to look their best, so it comes as no surprise that these male stars are opting for some surgical assistance when it comes to losing their locks. Today, we live in a day and age were the better we look, the better we FEEL, and the better we feel can lead to endless possibilities in life! Whether it’s getting that job promotion, getting (or keeping) the woman of your dreams, or just being able to look in the mirror with confidence and say, “I look good today.” Whatever the motivation may be, a hair restoration procedure can significantly improve your overall quality of life.
Matthew McConaughey – one man known for his gorgeous appearance and thick lustrous hair. It wasn’t always like that! He had his hair in his youth but by time 1999 rolled around, we started seeing the signs of his receding hairline. Look at him now! As far as career – what has this hunk accomplished since undergoing a hair restoration?

John Travolta – Miraculously, his once thinning head of hair is now just as thick and full as it was in Saturday Night Fever days.
It’s paramount to keep in mind that hair restoration is a medical ‘art.’ Medical art combines medical knowledge, mastery of advanced surgical skills and techniques as well as a keen eye enabling the accurate reproduction of what occurs naturally. Unfortunately, many prospective hair restoration patients assume that artistic ability is a given resulting from education and practice of established surgical techniques. Art and surgery are separate skills, and this must be taken into consideration when evaluating a doctor for your hair restoration surgery.