At Central CosMedic, Dr Danielle Waxman offers doctor-led assessment and hair loss treatment for women and men across Havelock North, Hastings, Napier and the wider Hawke’s Bay.
Hair loss and thinning are common and can start as early as your twenties. Finding the cause is the first step, because the right treatment depends on it. This page explains how Dr Waxman assesses hair loss, how PRP for hair growth works and what to expect.
Hair loss can have many causes. Some are simple, such as low iron or other vitamin deficiencies, stress or a recent illness. Others are linked to hormones, genetics or an underlying health condition, such as a thyroid problem.
The most common type is pattern hair loss, which tends to run in families. In men it often shows as a receding hairline or thinning at the crown. In women it more often shows as general thinning or a widening parting. Because the cause makes such a difference to treatment, Dr Waxman may recommend blood tests first to check for anything that can be treated directly.
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. A small sample of your own blood is taken and spun to separate out the platelets, which contain growth factors involved in tissue repair. This concentrated plasma is then applied to the scalp at the level of the hair follicles.
At Central CosMedic, PRP is prepared using a medical-grade PRP system and applied with a microneedling device, with additional small injections into areas of thinning. As PRP is made from your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction is very low.
Treatment course: usually 3 to 6 treatments, 4 weeks apart, followed by a maintenance treatment once a year.
For some types of hair loss, prescription medicines can help slow hair loss or support regrowth. Dr Waxman will talk through whether a prescription option suits you, how it could work alongside PRP and any side effects to be aware of.
Hair thinning in women is often linked to hormonal changes, including after pregnancy and around menopause, as well as iron levels and thyroid health. Female hair loss treatment starts with looking at these factors, and may then include PRP, a prescription option or both.
For men, hair loss is most often pattern hair loss. Treatment tends to work best when it is started early, while the hair follicles are still active. Hair loss treatment for men may include PRP, prescription medicines or a combination of the two.
PRP for hair loss is an active area of research. Studies have shown encouraging results for some people with pattern hair loss, but they are generally small and use different methods, so results cannot be predicted for any one person. PRP works best on thinning hair rather than areas that are already bald, and it does not help every type of hair loss.
Dr Waxman will give you an honest view on whether PRP is likely to suit your type of hair loss, and whether another option may be a better place to start.
Hair loss treatment is only offered after a consultation, and only when it is a sensible option for you.
Dr Waxman takes a full health history, including any medications you take, and asks about when your hair loss started and how it has changed.
She examines your scalp, considers the likely cause and may suggest blood tests to rule out anything that should be treated first.
You will hear the potential benefits, risks and side effects of each option in plain terms, along with the costs, before you decide anything.
If you go ahead, you agree a plan together, including how progress will be tracked, for example with photos taken at set points, which are kept confidential on a secure platform.
A PRP appointment takes around 90 minutes. Blood is taken from your arm in the same way as a routine blood test. While the PRP is prepared, numbing cream is applied to your scalp to keep you comfortable. Most people return to their usual activities the same day, and Dr Waxman will give you aftercare advice, including when you can wash your hair.
Hair grows slowly, so changes take time. Most people need several months before any difference in thickness can be judged, and progress is usually reviewed with photos. Results vary from person to person, and yearly maintenance treatments help to keep them going.
Common side effects include tenderness, redness, mild swelling and pinpoint bleeding on the scalp, which usually settle within a few days. Bruising where the blood was taken is possible, and some people feel lightheaded when blood is drawn.
PRP is not suitable for everyone, including people with certain blood disorders, active infections or some cancers, and those taking blood-thinning medicines. Your health history is reviewed before anything is recommended, and Dr Waxman will talk through the risks and potential benefits so you can make an informed decision. If you have any concerns after treatment, contact the clinic.
