Increasingly popular PRP hair loss therapy has proven effective for nearly 20 years. If you have hair loss, you may be looking for a solution that is more effective than over-the-counter or prescription medications, topical treatments or oral supplements. You may have heard of some of the more popular in office treatments like PRP Therapy or newer options like Alma Ted or Folix. Painless PRP is another new option offered by Medi Tresse. How do you know which is best for you?
Read on to learn more about these treatments and why PRP may be the best option.
How does PRP hair loss therapy stack up against Alma TED and Folix? They all have the same general approach: Each prevents hair shedding and promotes hair growth by stimulating hair follicles. At the same time, there are significant differences.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy for hair loss, or PRP, has been an effective hair recovery treatment for nearly 20 years. Platelets are a component of blood rich in growth factors and nutrients required for hair growth.
This process rapidly spins a sample of the patient’s blood in a centrifuge, leaving a high concentration of platelets in the blood plasma while removing other blood components. After the targeted area of the scalp is anesthetized, the plasma is injected into the scalp. Painless PRP, which doesn’t require injection, is pain-free, whereas traditional PRP has minimal discomfort.
Ensure the most successful results by choosing a hair restoration specialist who understands all related medical considerations and whose protocols will deliver the most successful results. For example, Medi Tresse uses a platelet counter to precisely measure and diagnose the patient’s platelet count for the best and safest results.
Medi Tresse offers “Pain-Free PRP.” Instead of needles, a special device utilizes high-velocity liquid jets to deliver the platelet-rich plasma into the scalp. The device creates microchannels in the skin for deeper penetration of the platelet-rich plasma.
Not all hair restoration clinics offer conventional PRP or Painless PRP, two of the various options offered by Medi Tresse. Even those that do may not have the experience, expertise, and protocols required for the greatest success.
PRP, Alma TED, and FoLixhave these elements in common:
Each method of hair loss restoration is different. We'll explain each therapy below, providing considerations, comparisons and results. Note that the figures below vary based on the individual patient and the extent of treatment.
While PRP treatment is described above, it's noteworthy that, unlike the new Alma TED and FoLix, PRP has a long track record of effectiveness with substantial research and clinical evidence of success. Painless PRP provides all the benefits of regular PRP, but without the need for injections. This non-invasive method is as comfortable as Alma TED and FoLix.
PRP and Painless PRP considerations and comparisons: Similar to Alma TED and FoLix, PRP therapy typically requires three sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart. Each session takes 60 minutes, a bit longer than Alma TED and FoLix. Maintenance sessions are recommended every 4-6 months, about the same as Alma TED, with FoLix possibly needing more frequent sessions.
PRP and Painless PRP Results: Significant improvements are often visible in 3-6 months, with optimal results taking 6-12 months. Research has shown that the success rate of PRP therapy is between 80-90%. However, a hair loss specialist will ensure this is the best treatment option for the patient giving them the best chance of success.
Alma TED (TransEpidermal Delivery) is an ultrasound-based system that uses sound waves and air pressure combined with a peptide-based hair serum containing growth factors and nutrients, unlike PRP Therapy, which uses your natural growth factors. This technique is said to provide deep absorption of the growth factors and nutrients into the scalp, without needles or incisions.
Alma TED considerations and comparisons: Unlike PRP’s longstanding use, Alma was introduced in April 2022, making data less definitive. Like PRP, Alma TED requires 3-6 sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Sessions may be shorter, taking 20-30 minutes, and recommended maintenance sessions may be a bit farther apart than PRP, every six months.
Alma TED results: With a track record of only a few years and limited clinical studies, it’s hard to pin down firm results. Like PRP and Alma TED, noticeable results are said to be seen after a few months of treatment, with optimal results after 3-6 months. Success rates vary widely from source to source, anywhere from 20-90%. Time will tell if using Alma’s laboratory-produced serum, versus the patient’s own growth factors in PRP, will increase the potential of side effects.
Even newer than Alma TED, FoLix was first used in the US in September 2024. FoLix uses a fractional laser device that delivers precise pulses of laser energy to the scalp without causing superficial damage. The treatment uses the body’s natural processes to stimulate hair growth, without chemicals or anesthesia.
FoLix considerations and comparisons: Only introduced September 2024, with limited studies and clinical research, FoLix results are less definitive. Sessions take approximately 30 minutes, similar to Alma TED and shorter than PRP. Maintenance is recommended every four months, more frequently than FoLix or Alma TED.
FoLix Results: Like Alma TED and PRP, FoLix is said to have noticeable results after a few months of treatment, with optimal results after 3-6 months. Studies so far have indicated a statistically significant increase in hair count, with an average 10% increase in hair density after treatment completion.
While newer treatments have demonstrated positive results so far, PRP’s outstanding reputation and longevity give it the edge. A 2022 article by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) confirms PRP’s effectiveness in enhancing hair restoration. While Alma TED and FoLix emphasize the advantage of comfort as compared with PRP, Painless PRP makes this a moot point.
Who should you trust to slow your thinning hair and restore hair growth? Med spas may offer PRP as an add-on to facials, botox, chemical peels, laser resurfacing and other aesthetic treatments. Instead, trust Medi Tresse, whose only job is restoring our patients’ hair using the technique best suited for each patient’s needs.
If PRP and Painless PRP sound like promising solutions for your thinning hair, trust the experts at Medi Tresse. We take a highly personalized, long-term approach based on the individual’s needs. We have the utmost knowledge about the science of hair loss, allowing us to make expert recommendations, discuss your choices with you, and customize your hair treatment program based on your specific situation. Consult with us to explore your personalized hair restoration advice and options.
