ACP Hair Restoration

Conveniently located to serve the areas of New Jersey and New York

ACP (Autologous Conditioned Plasma) is a revolutionary treatment that harnesses the healing capabilities of your own blood. ACP has been utilized in everything from acute and chronic joint injuries to facial rejuvenation. It is considered a part of regenerative medicine, a field of research that develops and studies treatments that facilitate ways for your body to heal itself. ACP is effective in areas of the scalp that have experienced hair thinning due to its bioactive growth factors, proteins that trigger the growth of healthy hair and skin.

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If you are looking for an all-natural, biocompatible, minimally invasive solution for your hair loss, consider ACP treatments at Plastic Surgery of Short Hills, located in Short Hills, NJ. and Brooklyn, NY. Under the supervision of Dr. Alexander Ovchinsky, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in cosmetic, reconstructive, and minimally invasive procedures, the team at Plastic Surgery of Short Hills will ensure that you receive a high-quality experience from preparation to recovery.

Give us a call at (973) 379-0101 (Short Hills) or (718) 646-1234 (Brooklyn) to schedule your consultation today. Alternatively, you can reach a member of our team by filling out your information through our contact page to find out if you may benefit from innovative ACP injections. 

About ACP

ACP is a unique formulation of proteins, growth factors, electrolytes, and molecules that assist in immune functions in the body. Once we draw a sample of your blood, we will place the sample within a device called a centrifuge, which works to separate each component of the blood. While some of the blood contains red and white blood cells, approximately 55% of the blood is plasma.

Though most plasma is made up of water, it contains over 1100 various types of proteins and molecules that serve biological purposes- growth factors (GFs) are among them. When ACP is prepared and injected into the scalp, endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor β, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor, are just a few of the growth factors involved in the increased production of hair. These growth factors listed above as well as many others assist in the creation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. Because there is more blood flow to the hair follicles, hair-creating cells can function at their best with more nutrients.

The Hair Growth Cycle

Each healthy hair follicle supports and facilitates the growth of 1 to 3 strands of hair that go through 3 phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen. The anagen phase, also called the growth phase, lasts anywhere from 2 to 6 years and is the stage that is shortened the most when the scalp is affected by hair loss. Next, hair follicles enter the catagen phase in which the hair shafts begin to lose their diameter and strength; this phase lasts only a few weeks before this reduction in diameter sizes. Before the strand sheds, it enters a resting period called the telogen phase for 3 months. (2)

The growth factors in ACP aid in helping the hair remain longer in the anagen phase, supporting more growth in hair strands’ length and diameter. (1)

Non-Cosmetic Uses for ACP

ACP’s remarkable effects have already been demonstrated in other areas of the body. It is a popular treatment used to accelerate the healing of orthopedic injuries, especially various tendon and ligament injuries. Its ability to invoke angiogenesis has also been proven beneficial for both men’s and women’s sexual health since increased blood flow improves sexual response.

Candidates for ACP Hair Restoration

ACP hair restoration works best for those with patterned, predictable forms of hair loss, like androgenic alopecia (male-patterned baldness). However, ACP can only help restore the functioning of hair follicles that are still alive, so it will not work in areas of complete baldness, only hair thinning. Ideal candidates are also in good general health and have all other health conditions well-managed. We will take steps to identify any possible vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems that could be contributing to your hair loss.

Benefits of ACP for Hair Loss

ACP is appealing to many people who deal with issues of hair loss:

  • It is a minimally invasive procedure that only requires local anesthesia and ACP injections.
  • The procedure itself is simple and tolerable.
  • There is no downtime required.
  • It stimulates the growth of healthy, strong hair.
  • Treatments prolong the growth phase in the hair cycle.
  • It supports the health of hair follicles themselves.

Personal Consultation

A personal consultation at Plastic Surgery of Short Hills will help you determine if ACP is right for you. During your consultation, they will evaluate your overall health and the history of your hair loss. They will discuss the details of the ACP procedure, including the preparation and recovery process. At this appointment, you’ll be able to ask various questions concerning when you’ll be able to see results, what to expect from the experience, and the total cost.

To find out more about this unique form of hair restoration, call our offices in Short Hills, NJ at (973) 379-0101 or Brooklyn, NY at (718) 646-1234. You can also book your appointment through our contact page and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Preparation

Roughly 3 days before a ACP session, patients should refrain from smoking or drinking since both nicotine and alcohol can make the treatment less effective. In preparation for ACP injections, patients should drink plenty of water prior to the procedure in order to make the blood draw go smoothly. Being hydrated allows the blood vessels to dilate, which makes them more visible and easier to find with a needle. It can also prevent patients from becoming dizzy or light-headed. About 1 hour prior to the procedure, your injector will apply a topical numbing cream to reduce discomfort.

Procedure Steps

First, your injector will administer a topical numbing cream onto the affected areas of your scalp about 1 hour prior to the injections. Next, your blood will be drawn from a vein on the inside of the elbow. Your injector will then place the blood sample in a centrifuge; it takes about 10 minutes to separate the ACP from the rest of the components found in the blood. They will then prepare syringes with the plasma concentrations. Once the numbing cream has fully settled in, they will cleanse your scalp with alcohol and administer several injections. Though patients feel some discomfort, the cream makes the procedure much more tolerable. From the blood draw to the last injections, the entire process takes about 30-45 minutes.

Recovery and Results

Although many patients experience minor soreness and bruising, it resolves over the course of a few days. Though there isn’t any downtime, there are some steps you can take to maximize the results. You should avoid showering for at least 6 hours post-procedure and avoid sun exposure and exercising for 3 days. For this initial healing and platelet activation period, you should continue to avoid nicotine or consuming alcohol. Finally, if you experience any discomfort or tenderness, it is fine to take Tylenol, but anything that thins the blood or acts like an anti-inflammatory can decrease platelet/ growth factor effectiveness.

Depending on the amount of hair loss, patients typically see the best results after 3 to 6 sessions of ACP- spaced about one month apart from each other. It is likely that you’ll begin to see signs that the treatment is working after the second or third session.

Cost of ACP Hair Restoration in New Jersey

The cost of your ACP treatment will mostly depend on the number of sessions you undergo. We understand that each patient has their own unique goals and desires for their hair restoration, so we will work to tailor a treatment plan that works for you.

During your consultation, you’ll be able to get a cost estimate after evaluating your health and the active follicles on your scalp. You may contact a staff member Dr. Ovchinsky’s office by calling (973) 379-0101 (Short Hills, NJ) or (718) 646-1234 (Brooklyn, NY). We also have a convenient contact form for those who wish to reach out online. 

To inform yourself of other procedures Dr. Ovchinsky offers that may interest you, please read through his blog.

FAQ

Are ACP injections for hair restoration painful?

ACP injections for hair restoration can be uncomfortable, but numbing cream is often applied to make the procedure much easier. On a scale from 1 to 10 of discomfort, patients typically rate ACP at a 2 or 3.

Are the results of ACP for hair restoration permanent?

The hair restoration results after ACP are not permanent, but studies show that improvements in hair density and thickness can last 1 year after the final session of treatment.

Does ACP work for hair restoration if you have a blood disorder?

If you have a blood disorder related to the functioning or the amount of platelets you have, ACP may not be an effective solution. Specifically, patients with a condition called thrombocytopenia have low levels of platelets, so only a limited number of growth factors would be available in the plasma concentrate.

References

  1. Im J, Hyun J, Kim SW, Suk Ho Bhang. Enhancing the Angiogenic and Proliferative Capacity of Dermal Fibroblasts with Mulberry (Morus alba. L) Root Extract. 2021;19(1):49-57. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-021-00404-6
  2. Murphrey MB, Agarwal S, Zito PM. Anatomy, Hair. PubMed. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513312/#:~:text=Healthy%20hair%20growth%20occurs%20at