Are there any contraindications for hair PRP?

Are there any contraindications to hair PRP?

This is a valid question and we often hear it during our consultations at the DC Clinic. Your safety is our top priority, and it is crucial to determine if PRP is suitable for your situation.

The good news? PRP is remarkably safe since it uses your own blood. But like any medical treatment, there are situations where we need to be cautious or consider other options.

Let's explore together when PRP is not recommended, and more importantly, what alternatives are available to you in such cases.

Absolute contraindications: safety first

Blood disorders: when your blood cannot be used

Coagulation disorders:

• Hemophilia (all types)

• Hereditary or acquired coagulation disorders

• Thrombocytopenia (platelets too low < 100,000/μL)

• Blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma)

Why these restrictions? PRP requires blood with functional and sufficient platelets. If your blood has coagulation abnormalities, we cannot draw safely nor guarantee treatment effectiveness.

Strong anticoagulants:

• Warfarin (Coumadin)

• Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)

• Dabigatran (Pradaxa)

• Long-term heparin

Important: Low-dose aspirin (80-100mg) can generally be maintained after medical evaluation.

Specific physiological states

Pregnancy and breastfeeding:

• Pregnancy (all trimesters)

• Breastfeeding

• Immediate pregnancy plans

Why this precaution? Even if PRP uses your own blood, we apply the principle of absolute precaution. No study has been conducted on pregnant women, and your baby's safety comes before your hair!

Good news: Postpartum PRP yields excellent results on pregnancy-related hair loss.

Active infections and inflammations

Scalp infections:

• Severe active seborrheic dermatitis

• Infectious folliculitis

• Scalp fungi

• Open wounds or recent scars

General infections:

• Fever or flu-like state

• Blood infections

• Infectious flare-ups of any kind

Medical logic: Injecting into infected tissue could worsen or spread the infection.

Relative contraindications: case-by-case evaluation

Chronic conditions requiring assessment

Diabetes:

• Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c > 8%)

• Severe diabetic complications

• Advanced diabetic neuropathy

Controlled diabetes: Often compatible with PRP after evaluating your general health and circulation quality.

Autoimmune diseases:

• Lupus in active flare

• Severe rheumatoid arthritis

• Multiple sclerosis in active phase

• Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis inflammation

Important nuance: These diseases in stable remission can often be compatible with PRP.

Medication assessments

Immunosuppressants:

• Methotrexate

• Long-term corticosteroids (>10mg/day)

• Post-transplant immunosuppressants

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy:

• Ongoing cancer treatment

• Radiotherapy of the area to be treated

• Post-treatment recovery period

The crucial factor: your lifestyle and blood quality

Your blood, a reflection of your lifestyle

Here is a reality that few clinics dare to address candidly: a patient who smokes heavily or has a poor diet will have less "rich" blood in growth factors, leading to possibly more limited results.

Why does your lifestyle impact PRP effectiveness?

Factors degrading your plasma quality

Heavy smoking (>10 cigarettes/day):

• 15-20% reduction in blood oxygenation

• Platelet and their growth factor alteration

• Reduced circulation to hair follicles

• Slower healing after injections

Impact on results: 30-50% reduced effectiveness compared to a non-smoker.

Chronically unbalanced diet:

• Deficiencies in iron, zinc, vitamin B

• Chronic inflammation (diet too high in sugars/trans fats)

• Nutrient-poor plasma

• Less effective platelets

Chronic alcoholism:

• Liver toxicity affecting growth factor synthesis

• Multiple nutritional deficiencies

• Acquired coagulation disorders

• Systemic inflammation

Severe chronic stress:

• Permanently high cortisol (harmful to hair)

• Chronic inflammation

• Reduced circulation

• Degraded sleep quality (affects regeneration)

Our kind approach: improve rather than exclude

Instead of denying you treatment, we prefer to support you in improving your lifestyle. Because what benefits your hair also benefits your overall health!

Recommendations for optimizing your PRP:

Before treatment (ideally 4-6 weeks):

• Reduce smoking (ideally quit, otherwise cut by half)

• Enhance diet: more proteins, vegetables, less sugar

• Supplementation if deficiencies (iron, zinc, vitamins B, D)

• Stress management: sports, meditation, quality sleep

Double benefits:

✅ Better PRP results (40-60% increased effectiveness)

✅ Improved general health (energy, well-being, prevention)

When PRP isn't ideal: the Exosomes solution

Why sometimes recommend Exosomes?

Exosomes are the perfect alternative when PRP presents limitations:

Insufficient plasma quality:

• Unmodifiable heavy smoking

• Advanced age (>50 years) with reduced growth factors

• Chronic conditions affecting blood quality

• Medications altering platelets

Relative contraindications to PRP:

• Difficult-to-control diabetes

• Light anticoagulant treatment

• Stable but present autoimmune disease

Advantages of Exosomes over PRP in these cases

Independence from your health condition:

• Standardized and optimal growth factors

• Guaranteed concentration at each session

• Consistent quality unaffected by your lifestyle

• Predictable and reproducible effectiveness

Enhanced safety:

• No blood sampling (no hemorrhagic risk)

• Sterilized product checked in the laboratory

• Compatible with most chronic conditions

• Minimal allergic risk (plant origin)

Often superior effectiveness:

• More targeted action on follicles

• Optimized cellular communication

• Faster results (as early as 2-3 months)

• Increased durability of effects

Profiles where Exosomes are preferable

You are a better candidate for Exosomes if:

• Smoker of more than 10 cigarettes/day for years

• Diabetes with minor complications

• Over 50 years old

• Unmodifiable professional chronic stress

• Chronic medication treatments

• Failure or disappointing results with PRP

• Seeking faster results

Personalized evaluation: our advisory role

Our safety consultation

Comprehensive medical interview:

• Complete medical history

• Current treatments and their interactions

• Lifestyle habits (tobacco, alcohol, diet, stress)

• Goals and realistic expectations

Clinical examination:

• General condition and vital signs

• Scalp examination (infections, inflammations)

• Peripheral circulation assessment

• Search for cutaneous contraindications

Blood work if necessary:

• Platelet count

• Coagulation tests

• Inflammatory assessment

• Glycemic balance if diabetic

Our commitment: transparency and alternatives

If PRP is not recommended for you, we explain it clearly and guide you towards the best alternative:

Options we offer:

1. Postponement of PRP with lifestyle improvements

2. Immediate Exosome therapy

3. Combined treatments tailored to your situation

4. Overall management (nutrition, lifestyle, supplements)

Commonly encountered special situations

"I take aspirin daily"

Low-dose aspirin (80-100mg): Generally compatible

Assessment: Cardiovascular benefit vs minimal hemorrhagic risk

Solution: Often maintained with increased monitoring

"I have balanced type 2 diabetes"

HbA1c < 7%: Compatible with precautions

Preserved circulation: Good indication

Monitoring: Healing and treatment response

"I smoke but can’t quit"

Honest assessment: Limited PRP results (30-50% less effective)

Recommended alternative: Exosome therapy

Compromise: Significant reduction in smoking

"I have a stable autoimmune disease"

In remission for >6 months: Often compatible

Regular medical follow-up: Essential

Monitoring: No disease flare-ups

Tips to optimize your eligibility

Preparatory program (6-8 weeks before PRP)

Nutritional improvement:

• Proteins: 1.2g/kg body weight/day

• Iron: red meat, spinach, lentils

• Zinc: seafood, pumpkin seeds

• Vitamin B: whole grains, brewer's yeast

Lifestyle hygiene:

• Sleep: 7-8 hours per night regularly

• Hydration: 1.5-2L of water/day

• Exercise: 30min of moderate activity 3x/week

• Stress: daily relaxation techniques

Targeted supplementation:

• Complex B: optimizes platelet function

• Vitamin D: if deficiency detected

• Omega-3: reduces systemic inflammation

• Zinc + Iron: if blood deficiency

Your safety, our expertise

At DC Clinic, we take no risks with your safety. If you have a contraindication to PRP, we will explain it honestly and offer you the best alternative.

Our goal: Provide you with the safest AND most effective treatment for your unique situation.

Ready for your personalized evaluation?

For a comprehensive eligibility consultation, with evaluation of your potential contraindications and tailored recommendations (PRP or Exosomes), book your FREE hair eligibility consultation now.

Your safety first, your results next. That's our promise.