VARIOUS SKIN DISEASES AND RELATED FACTS

1.   Skin Cancer

•              Actinic keratosis: red, pink, or rough patch of skin on sun-exposed areas

•              Basal cell carcinoma: raised, waxy, pink bumps

•              Squamous cell carcinoma: red, scaly, rough skin lesions, typically on sun-exposed areas such as the hands, head, neck, lips, and ears

•              Melanoma: asymmetrically shaped moles or lesions with irregular borders, or change in color or diameter

2.   Lupus

•              Fatigue, headaches, fever, and swollen or painful joints

•              Disc-shaped rash that doesn’t itch or hurt

•              Scaly red patches or ring shapes

•              Sunburn-like rash that spreads across the nose and both cheeks

3.   Rubeola (Measles)

•              Fever, cough, and runny nose

•              Reddish-brown rash spreads down the body three to five days after first symptoms appear

•              Tiny red spots with blue-white centers inside the mouth

4.   Acne

•              Papules: small red, raised bumps caused by infected hair follicles

•              Pustules: small, red pimples that have pus at their tips

•              Nodules: solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin

•              Cysts: painful, pus-filled infections found beneath the skin

5.   Hemangioma of Skin

•              Usually appear on the neck or face of infants

•              Small, red scratch or bump that eventually begins to protrude

•              Most disappear from the skin by age 10

6.   Cold Sore

•              Red, fluid-filled blisters that appear near the mouth

•              Your lips will often tingle or burn before the sore is visible

•              The sore is painful or tender to the touch

7.   Psoriasis

•              Plaque: thick red patches of skin

•              Guttate: small red spots on the torso, limbs, face, and scalp

•              Inverse: a red, shiny, smooth rash in skin folds

•              Pustular: white pustules surrouned by red skin

•              Erythrodermic: resembles severe burns and covers large portions of the body

8.   Rosacea

•              Subtype one: flushing, redness, and broken blood vessels

•              Subtype two: acne-like breakouts, redness, and oily skin

•              Subtype three: bumpy skin, thick skin on nose, chin, forehead, cheeks, and ears

•              Subtype four: bloodshot, watery, dry, and itchy eyes

9.   Seborrheic Eczema

•              Yellow or white scaly patches that flake off

•              Affected areas may be red, itchy, greasy, or oily

•              Hair loss may occur in the area with the rash

10.               Vitiligo

•              Loss of pigment in the skin

•              Focal pattern: loss of skin color in only a few small areas

•              Segmental pattern: depigmentation on one side of the body

•              Premature graying of scalp and facial hai

11.               Warts

•              Common warts: rough, grainy appearance and rounded top

•              Plantar warts: small hole in the bottom of your foot surrounded by hardened skin

•              Flat warts: flat top that may be pink, brown, or slightly yellow

12.               Necrotizing Fasciitis

•              Warm, red skin and sore muscles

•              Small, painful red bump develops and eventually grows and becomes more painful

•              Oozing, discolored skin

•              Lesions may appear

13.               Cutaneous Candidiasis

•              Usually occurs in skin folds (armpits, between fingers)

•              Can be white or red

•              Progresses to cracked, sore skin with blisters and pustules

14.               Carbuncle

•              Red, irritated lump under your skin

•              Body aches and fatigue

•              Fever, skin crustiness, or oozing

15.               Cellulitis

•              Bacteria enter through a crack or cut in the skin

•              Red, sore, with swelling that spreads quickly

•              Hot and tender to the touch

16.               Hypohidrosis

•              Minimal perspiration

•              Dizziness, flushed appearance

•              Muscle cramps or weakness

•              Feeling overly hot

17.               Impetigo

•              Common in children

•              Itchy rash and fluid-filled blisters that pop easily

•              Swollen lymph nodes

18.               Cutis Laxa

•              Rare, inherited skin condition

•              Loose, wrinkled skin

•              Varying severity of poor muscle tone, fragile bones, developmental delays

19.               Decubitus Ulcer

•              Common among people who spend long periods in bed or a wheelchair

•              Hips, heels, and other bony areas are most vulnerable

•              Skin discoloration, infection, and open skin

20.               Erysipelas

•              Red, swollen, warm, painful area of skin with raised edge

•              Blisters on the affected area

•              Generally feeling unwel

21.               Diaper Rash

•              Near the diaper area

•              Skin looks red and irritated

•              Warm to the touch

22.               Dyshidrotic Eczema

•              Blisters on fingers, toes, hands, or feet

•              Blisters are usually fluid-filled and itchy

•              Blisters will dry and turn to skin cracks after several weeks

23.               Canker Sore

•              An open, painful mouth ulcer

•              White or yellowish and surrounded by red, inflamed soft tissue

•              Usually located on the inside of the cheek or lip

Herpes Stomatitis

o   Multiple blisters on the gums, palate, cheeks, tongue, or lip border

o   Difficulty eating, drinking, and swallowing

o   Drooling, pain, and swollen gums

24.               Fungal Nail Infection

Ø    Scaling under the nail

Ø    Flaking white areas on the nail’s surface

Ø    Crumbling corner or tip of the nail

25.               Ichthyosis Vulgaris

Ø    Polygon-shaped brown, gray, or white scales

Ø    Dry, itchy, thickened skin

Ø    Flaky scalp

26.               Dermatomyositis

Ø    Red or violet rash on the face, chest, nails, or elbows

Ø    Muscle weakness that starts in the neck, arms, or hips

Ø    Most common between the ages of 5 and 15 or 40 and 60

27.               Molluscum Contagiosum

Ø    Bumps that may appear in a patch of up to 20

Ø    Small, shiny, and smooth

Ø    flesh-colored, white, or pink

Ø    firm and dome-shaped with a dent or dimple in the middle

28.               Ingrown Nails

Ø    Skin next to the nail becomes tender, swollen, or hard

Ø    pain, bleeding, or oozing pus

Ø    overgrowth of skin around to

29.               Sebaceous Cyst

Ø    found on the face, neck, or torso

Ø    large cysts may cause pressure and pain

Ø    very slow-growing

30.               Seborrheic Keratosis

Ø    start out as small, rough areas

Ø    develop thick, wart-life surfaces over time

Ø    usually oval-shaped and brown

31.               Pilonidal Sinus

Ø    symptoms aren’t very noticeable until an infection occurs

Ø    pain when sitting or standing

Ø    swelling of the cyst

Ø    reddened, sore skin around the area

32.               Keloid

Ø    symptoms occur at the site of a previous injury

Ø    lumpy or rigid area of skin

Ø    Area that is flesh-colored, pink, or red

33.               Lichen Planus

Ø    purplish-colored bumps with flat tops (mostly found on the wrist, inner forearm, or ankles)

Ø    lesions that develop and spread over the course of two weeks to a few months

Ø    itching, blisters, and white lines over the rash

Ø    lesions in the mouth, which may burn or be painful

34.               Actinic Keratosis

Ø    known as "age" spots

Ø    skin patches that are brown, tan, gray, or pink

Ø    appear on parts of the body that receive a lot of sun exposure (hands, arms, face, scalp, and neck)

Ø    thick, scaly, or crusty skin patches

35.               Stasis Dermatitis and Leg Ulcers

Ø    Skin appears thin and itches

Ø    can crack and ooze fluid

Ø    skin thickens and appears brown and lumpy in later stages

Ø    ulcer forms in final stages

36.               Corns and Calluses

Ø    small, round circles of thick skin

Ø    commonly found on the tops and sides of toes and soles of feet

Ø    caused by friction and pressure

37.               Eczema

Ø    itchy, dry, rough, flaky, inflamed, and irritated skin

Ø    Red or brownish-gray patches

Ø    small, raised bumps that ooze fluid when scratched

38.               Tinea Versicolor

Ø    discolored skin patches

Ø    lighter or darker than the surrounding skin

Ø    dry, itchy, and scaly

Ø    more prominent with tanning

39.               Pemphigoid

Ø    Red rash followed by fluid-filled blisters

Ø    blisters are thick and don’t rupture easily

Ø    ruptured blisters are sensitive and painful

40.               Mouth Ulcers

Ø    Small lesions that develop in your mouth

Ø    minor sores are small and oval-shaped

Ø    major sores have irregular edges

41.               Shingles

Ø    Itchy, red patches with fluid-filled blisters that break easily

Ø    Rash that wraps around the spine and torso

Ø    May be accompanied with fever, chills, headache, or fatigue

PANCHAKARMA

• Panchakarma is mainly detoxification  therapy consisting of

1. Vaman                                   Emesis
2. Virechan                                   Purgation
3. Basti                                           Medicated enema
4. Nasya                                         Inhalation therapy
5. Raktta mokshana                  Blood letting

Panchakarma chikitsa is divided into 3 parts

1. Purvakarma 
2. Pradhankarma
3. Pashchatkarma

   Snehan                                                                                                      Swedan

         Bahya     Abhyantar                                                                                      Hastswed

                                                                                                                                Pradeh/Pralep

                                                                                                                                      Nadiswed

                                                                                                                                Prastarswed

                                                                                                                                       Pindswed

                                                                                                                                Upnaha

                                                                                                                                Avagaha

                                                                                                                                Parishek

BENEFITS of PANCHAKARMA

2. For improving / promote the health of the child
3. To prevent the seasonal illness in children
4. To increase immunity
5. For all types of chronic diseases
6. Help to minimize time taken for treatment of chronic diseases,
7. Toxins and eliminated giving scope to medicine to act fast
8. The cost to treatment is reduced to cure disease
9. Strengthens immune system and provides more resistance to illness
10. Relieves stress from both body and mind
11. Reduces dependence on drugs and medications
12. Eliminates excess Doshas and Toxins from cells
13. Enhances digestion & metabolism
14. Clears the sense faculties, mind, intelligence, and complexion
15. Increases strength, nourishes the body
16. Revitalizes the nervous system.

Raktamokshana(Blood letting)-An important procedure in various diseases

Ayurvedic panchakarma procedures mainly focus on throwing the vitiated dosha out of the body and thus checks the re occurrence of the disease. And Raktamokshana is one procedure among panchakarma which aims at excreting vitiated blood (Dushta Rakta ) from our body.

The word Raktamokshan is derived from 2 words mainly Rakta (blood) and Mokshan (let out, to relieve).

These procedures explained thousands of years ago still holds and important place in Ayurvedic treatment in curing many diseases, and have become a necessity in todays world due to changing food habits and lifestyle, for curing ailments and also to maintain health.

So before learning about this procedure let’s briefly go through an Ayurvedic perspective about Rakta (blood)

            The first liquid principle known as Rasa,formed from the ahara (diet) while circulating in the body, when reaches yakrut(liver), pleeha(spleen), attains red colour due to ranjak pitta and will be known as Rakta. 

   Though Rakta is circulating continuously in our body its main seats are yakrut(liver)and pleeha(spleen), and from here it governs the other seats of Rakta (Rakta sthna).

The prakrut (non vitiated) Rakta improves complexion and nourishes mamsa dhatu and does the most important function of Jeevan (life maintainence).

The prakrut (non vitiated) rakta improves complextion and nourishes mamsa dhatu and does the most important function of Jeevan (life maintainence).

Rakta vitiating factors

Alcohol consumption, excessive intake of salt, sour , pungent ,unctuous and heavy food items, stale food, and over eating, sleeping immediately after food,exposure to sun of hot environment, stress and not performing Raktamokshana. rakta is naturally vitiated in sharad (autumn)

Raktapradoshaja Vyadhi(Diseases cause by vitiated blood)

            The following diseases occur due to the vitiation of blood, mukhapaka(oral ulcers), akshiraga(redness of eyes),  asyagandhika(foul odour from mouth), Gulma, upakusa,(bleeding from gums) visarpa(herpes Zoster)etc.

CLASSIFICATION OF RAKTAMOKSHANA: 

 Depending on various factors, the media used for bloodletting varies. In absence of specific media any one of said procedure can be used for the purpose.

In case of bloodletting being vitiated by Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha, the blood should be let out by Shringa, Jalauka and Alabu respectively. In cases of vitiation by two/all the three doshas together, Siravyadha or Pracchanna are to be adopted for letting out the blood.

 Application of Shringa can bring out blood from an area of ten angulis around; Jalauka can suck from an area of one hasta(palm), the Alabu from an area of twelve Anguli( 1finger breadth), Pracchanna from an area of one anguli, while Siravyadha(venous puncture) can purify the entire body.+-

 In deep seated pathology, Jalauka(leech application) is preferable, in case of generalized vitiation of rakta – Siravyadha is advised and Shringa(horn), Alabu if pathology is superficial/utthana.

MARMA

Ayurved believes that one can be a good physician and surgeon both only when he has practically observed and learnt all about the human anatomy doubtlessly^.

Marma is very important and unique concept of Ayurvedic Sharir. First & foremost literature of Marma is seen in brihattrayee which is described in the sixth Adhyaya of Sharirsthana Prathek marma nirdeshsharir of Sushruta Samhita.

Marma vijyana is related to traumatology. Instructions in battle field to protect Marmas and techniques of attacking Marma  places to inactivate the opponent are available in Vedas .The disease and trauma have been the part of life and measures adapted to treat them with development of knowledge and civilization.

The knowledge of Marma is one such concept used all over the world for prevention and cure of the disease since centuries .It holds its own prime importance in Shalyatantra. Marma injuries are hazardous to the body.

MARMA:

Aacharya Sushuruta has defined Marma as the site where “Mamsa, sira, snayu, asthi, sandhi sannipata, teshu svabhaavath eva praanasthistanti.”

According to the predominance of these structures the Marma also differs.

Some experts are of the opinion that it does not mean that all the structure must be collectively present at the site. Prana dwells at these sites and so they are important.

According to Dalhana the vulnerable point are those points on the human body surface on which any kind of trauma or injury may lead to death or symptoms like death.

The term Marma means prana, Jiva or Life.

Aacharya Sushruta has described 107 numbers of Marma and described their Anatomical classification. According to Aacharya Sushruta the five anatomical structures are basically and essentially involved on Marma point⁴.

These structures are:      1. Mansa (muscles)

                                        2. Sira(vein,artery,nerve)

                                       3. Snayu(ligament)

                                       4. Asthi(bone)

                                       5. Sandhi(joint)

       Aacharya Sushruta has also classified Marma points in to five types depending upon the ultimate results (prognosis) after the trauma inflicted upon these points.

These types are:                        

1. Sadhya Pranhara Marma

2. Kalantara Pranahara Marma

3. Vishalyghna Marma

4. Vaikalyakara Marma

5. Rujakara Marma

Schizophrenia (unmaad) a brief over view. and Management according to Ayurveda.

what is schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder often characterized by abnormal social behavior and failure to recognize what is real.

Common symptoms include false beliefs, auditory hallucinations, confused or unclear thinking, inactivity, and reduced social engagement and emotional expression. Diagnosis is based on observed behavior and the person's reported experiences.

Schizophrenia generally appears in late adolescence or early adulthood - however, it can emerge at any time in life. It is one of many brain diseases that may include delusions, loss of personality (flat affect), confusion, agitation, social withdrawal, psychosis, and bizarre behavior.

Onset-

Late adolescence and early adulthood are peak periods for the onset of schizophrenia, critical years in a young adult's social and vocational development. In 40% of men and 23% of women diagnosed with schizophrenia, the condition manifested itself before the age of 19. To minimize the developmental disruption associated with schizophrenia, much work has recently been done to identify and treat the prodromal (pre-onset) phase of the illness, which has been detected up to 30 months before the onset of symptoms. Those who go on to develop schizophrenia may experience transient or self-limiting psychotic symptoms and the non-specific symptoms of social withdrawal, irritability, dysphoria, and clumsiness during the prodromal phase.

UNMAAD – According to ayurved unmaad is a manoroga . acharya charak told mano, budhi ,sangya ,gyan ,smriti ,bhakti sheel,chesta, aacahar,vibhram is found . 

Causes of schizophrenia-

A combination of genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of schizophrenia. People with a family history of schizophrenia who have a transient psychosis have a 20–40% chance of being diagnosed one year later.

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia 

The symptoms of schizophrenia fall into three broad categories:

•  positive symptoms,

•  negative symptoms,

•  and cognitive symptoms

Positive and negative

Schizophrenia is often described in terms of positive and negative (or deficit) symptoms Positive symptoms are those that most individuals do not normally experience but are present in people with schizophrenia. They can include delusions, disordered thoughts and speech, and tactile, auditory, visual, olfactory and gustatory hallucinations, typically regarded as manifestations of psychosis.[16]Hallucinations are also typically related to the content of the delusional theme. Positive symptoms generally respond well to medication. 

Negative symptoms are deficits of normal emotional responses or of other thought processes, and respond less well to medication. They commonly include flat expressions orlittle emotion, poverty of speech, inability to experience pleasure, lack of desire to form relationships, and lack of motivation. Negative symptoms appear to contribute more to poor quality of life, functional ability, and the burden on others than do positive symptoms People with greater negative symptoms often have a history of poor adjustment before the onset of illness, and response to medication is often limited.

Positive symptoms -

Positive symptoms are psychotic behaviors not seen in healthy people. People with positive symptoms often “lose touch” with reality. These symptoms can come and go. Sometimes they are severe and at other times hardly notice­able, depending on whether the individual is receiving treatment. They include the following: Hallucinations are things a person sees, hears, smells, or feels that no one else can see, hear, smell, or feel. “Voices” are the most common type of hallucination in schizophrenia. Many people with the disorder hear voices. The voices may talk to the person about his or her behavior, orders the person to do things, or warn the person of danger. Sometimes the voices talk to

 Each other.People with schizophrenia may hear voices for a long time before family and friends notice the problem. Other types of hallucinations include seeing people or objects that are not there, smelling odors that no one else detects, and feeling things like invisible fingers touching their bodies when no one is near. Delusions are false beliefs that are not part of the person’s culture and do not change. The person believes delusions even after other people prove that the beliefs are not true or logical. People with schizophrenia can have delusions that seem bizarre, such as believing that neighbors can control their behaviour with magnetic waves. They may also believe that people on television are directing special messages to them, or that radio stations are broadcasting their thoughts aloud to others. Sometimes they believe they are someone else, such as a famous historical figure. They may have para­noid delusions and believe that others are trying to harm them, such as by cheating, harassing, poisoning, spying on, or plotting against them or the people they care about. These beliefs are called “delusions of When does schizophrenia start and who gets it? Schizophrenia affects men and women equally.

In Ayurveda, Schizophrenia is called ‘Unmaad.’ Most doctors treat this illness in line with the presentation of symptoms. Patients who are excited or agitated are provided ‘counter-irritant’ treatment in the form of nasal drops. Vacha (Acorus calamus) in-the powder or oil type, Shigru (Moringa oleifera) seed powder, Marich (Piper nigrum), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii), Yashtimadhu (Glycerrhiza glabra), Hingu (Ferula narthex) and Shunthi (Zinziber officinale) + Jaggery are some of the medications used, often combined with ‘Puran Ghruta.

After the patient is subdued, other treatments are started. Included in these are Sarpagandha (Raulwofia serpentina), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Brahmi ( Bacopa monnieri), Ajwayan( Hyoscyamus niger), Suvarna Bhasma, Raupya Bhasma and Puran Ghruta. Various medicated ghrutas (ghee) are utilized orally, such as Panchagavya Ghruta, Kalyanak Ghruta, Brahmi Ghruta and Jatamansi Ghruta. Some physicians recommend the use of ‘Panchakarama’ techniques like induced nausea, induced purgation and medicated enemas.

Treatment-

The mainstay of treatment is antipsychotic medication, which primarily suppresses dopamine receptor activity. Counseling, job training and social rehabilitation are also important in treatment. In more serious cases—where there is risk to self or others—involuntary hospitalization may be necessary, although hospital stays are now shorter and less frequent than they once were

Ayurvedic medicine useful in schizaophreni –

                                                                                    A).Sodhan (pancha karma) 

                                                                                    B).Saman(medicine)

•  Swarna brahami vati  

•  Sarashwat churna 

•  Brahami grita(for paan and nashya )

•  Vachadi grita 

•  Vachadi churna 

•  Sarashwtarista 

•  Ashwagandharista

•  Paadabhyanga 

•  Sirodhara 

•  Jatamanshi churna

•  Sirobasti

PLATELET- RICH PLASMA THERAPY (PRP) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SCALP BALDNESS (HAIR LOSS).

INTRODUCTION

Platelet-rich plasma is blood plasma that has been enriched with platelets. As a concentrated source of autologous platelets, PRP contains several different growth factors and other cytokines that stimulate healing of bone and soft tissue.

History

PRP was first developed in the 1970s and first used in Italy in 1987 in an open heart surgery procedure. PRP therapy began gaining popularity in the mid 1990s. It has since been applied to many different medical fields such as cosmetic surgery, dentistry, alopecia, sports medicine and pain management.

Whole blood placed in Centrifuge prior to two stage centrifugation

The efficacy of certain growth factors in healing various injuries and the concentrations of these growth factors found within PRP are the theoretical basis for the use of PRP in tissue repair. The platelets collected in PRP are activated by the addition of thrombin and calcium chloride, which induces the release of the mentioned factors from alpha granules. The growth factors and other cytokines present in PRP include:

Ø  Platelet-derived growth factor

Ø  transforming growth factor beta

Ø  Fibroblast growth factor

Ø  Insulin-like growth factor 1

Ø  Insulin-like growth factor 2

Ø  Vascular endothelial growth factor

Ø  Epidermal growth factor

Ø  Interleukin 8

Ø  keratinocyte growth factor

Ø  Connective tissue growth factor

Preparation

v  Blood drawn from patient approximately 10ml

v  Removal of PRP after double centrifugation

v  PRP is injected into area of injury or scalp by insulin syringe

Clinical applications

In humans, PRP has been investigated and used as a clinical tool for several types of medical treatments, including

1.      Nerve injury

2.      Tendinitis

3.      Osteoarthritis

4.      Cardiac muscle injury

5.      Bone repair and regeneration

6.      Plastic surgery

7.      Andoral surgery.

 PRP has also received attention in the popular media as a result of its use in treating sports injuries in professional athletes.

Hair Re- growth

PRP may be used as a treatment for hair re growth caused by androgenic alopecia. A 2013 review stated more evidence is needed to determine the effectiveness of PRP for hair re growth.

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy in Hair Restoration - PRP Therapy

PRP therapy as a proactive therapeutic option for male and female patients experiencing hair loss. PRP is an exciting non-surgical therapeutic option for patients who require stimulation of hair growth for hair loss conditions.

Recent scientific research and technology provides the medical community with new understandings of wound and tissue healing. As a result of these scientific studies, we recognize PRP is an all-natural autologous medical procedure performed in physicians’ offices for scalp, skin, and hair stimulation.

HOW DOES PRP WORK?

Human blood contains mesenchymal stem cells, and autologous blood products that contain essential and specific growth factors that assist in tissue regeneration and healing. Published medical literature from Europe and the United States confirms the safety and use of PRP therapy. It has been used a medial adjunct therapy for over two decades for skin and wound healing. PRP therapy has established itself to be effective as a medical treatment modality in the specialty fields of oral surgery, neurosurgery, plastic and cosmetic surgery, sports medicine and orthopaedics. It has been used extensively in these specialties for the last twenty years with generally positive outcomes and success. In the field of hair restoration, evidence supports PRP therapy as a promising treatment option to promote hair growth. No claim can be made of its efficacy. While PRP is in the early stages of scientific research in hair restoration, PRP is not meant to replace current FDA approved therapies such as DHT blockers (finasteride) and Minoxidil 5% & 10%. But it is a promising non-surgical therapeutic option for those patients with hair loss.

HOW DO YOU PERFORM THE PROCEDURE?

The 10 ml blood is spun in a centrifuge and the PRP is separated and removed from the rest of the blood.

The PRP is taken from your body and is specially prepared by spinning down the blood cells to a high concentration. An anaesthesia block is given to nerves of the scalp so the patient does not feel any pain. The highly concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) is then injected into the scalp. The patient’s hair is then washed and the patient may drive home without any assistance. No sedation or any medication is given during the procedure to inhibit the ability to drive or use machinery.

Benefits of PRP

·         Autologous (from patient’s own blood).

·         Easy to use, rapid and effective system.

·         Requires small sample of blood (10ml).

·         Optimal Platelet Concentration for ALL specialties.

·         Biocompatible, and xeno-free, minimizing safety concerns and rejection.

PRP contains many growth factors that stimulate the hair follicle’s growth. PRP can be used preoperatively, intraoperatively, or post operatively. Some patient’s chose to have PRP performed every three (3) to four (4) months as early data suggests regular or semiannual PRP treatments that may stimulate hair growth.

THE SCIENCE OF PRP

PRP contains special cells called Platelets, that can theoretically cause growth of the hair follicles by stimulating the stem cells and other cells in the microenvironment of the hair follicle. These special Platelet cells promote healing, accelerates the rate and degree of tissue healing and regeneration, responds to injury, and formation of new cellular growth. The primary purpose of using PRP in hair restoration is to stimulate inactive or newly implanted hair follicles into an active growth phase.

Inside the Platelets are many intracellular structures such as glycogen, lysosomes and alpha granules. These granules within the PRP contain clotting and growth factors that are eventually released during the healing and repair process.

PRP specific cells that causes hair growth include:

Ø  Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)—promotes blood vessel growth, cell replication, skin formation;

Ø  Transforming Growth-Factor-Beta (TGF-b)—promotes growth of matrix between cells, bone metabolism;

Ø  Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)—promotes blood vessel formation;

Ø  Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)—promotes cell growth and differentiation, blood vessel formation, collagen formation;

Ø  Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2)—promotes growth of specialized cells and blood vessel formation; and,

Ø  Insulin Like Growth Factor - (IGF)—a regulator of normal physiology in nearly every type of cell in the body

DOES PRP WORK?

Individual results vary with each patient. No guarantees of success can be made but PRP preliminary studies indicate patients can respond to PRP therapy. Some hair restoration surgeons apply PRP to the scalp for those patients who are not surgical candidates every three (3) to four (4) months. Other protocols will use PRP before or during surgery to insure graft survivability.

PRP is a potential emerging non-surgical based therapy for natural hair follicle stimulation for thinning hair. Larger clinical studies are pending but the current medical literature contains numerous optimistic results. Although a few controlled studies exist, anecdotal and case reports are the primary sources reflecting success with PRP therapy.

WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE PRP TREATMENT?

Ø  Patients with history of heavy smoking,

Ø  Drug and alcohol use.

Ø  Medical diagnosis such as platelet dysfunction syndromes,

Ø  thrombocytopenias,

Ø  hypofibrinogenaemia,

Ø  hemodynamic instability, sepsis,

Ø  acute and chronic Infections,

Ø  chronic liver disease,

Ø  anti-coagulation therapy,

Ø  chronic skin diseases or cancer,

Ø  Metabolic and systemic disorders.

IS PRP FOR ME?

PRP has been used successfully in other medical and surgical disciplines for many years. The decision to use PRP is a personal decision and should be made after careful research, consideration and consultation with a physician. PRP is safe and natural because the procedure concentrates the good cells from your scalp and injects them directly back into the area where it is needed. There is absolutely no chance of getting a blood infection from another human being. PRP involves using your own cells that are not modified or changed, and it will not be rejected by your immune system.

CAN USE OTHER MEDICAL THERAPIES CONCURRENTLY?

In fact, we encourage it and prescribe PRP therapy as a compliment to a nonsurgical approach for those patients who are not eligible for surgery or who want to delay hair restoration surgery. As a non-surgical treatment option, we recommend PRP therapy along with Minoxidil and DHT blockers or for those patients who cannot tolerate or have side effects with these medications.

CONCLUSION

PRP therapy offers the opportunity for hair growth for those patients who are not candidates for surgery or those patients wanting a more aggressive nonsurgical approach to treatment.

Whether you are looking for additional hair stimulation, or are looking to have hair surgery with the addition of PRP, OC Hair Restoration centre is able to meet your needs. Results will vary from patient to patients, and PRP as a non-surgical option has not been offers patients with miniaturization and hair thinning improvement in hair calibre and thickness.