My 8th Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) With Dr. Joseph Greco [Video]

by Y on August 21, 2013

It’s been almost a month since I went to Sarasota, Florida to have my 8th PRP treatment with Dr. Greco. I used my last PRP treatment to aid in reducing any potential shedding that would occur as I got of the 200mg of Aldactone that I had taken, seemingly forever, and I feel it was successful in doing what I had hoped (thank god). I really didn’t notice any accelerated hair loss from getting off that pill, so I’m happier than a pig in you know what!

This most recent PRP treatment I had in July will be used to help me in much the same way to get off the birth control pill. My feelings about all that were shared in this post here.

Many women contact me with questions about this treatment, so I thought I’d bring along my camera to this visit and have Dr. Greco explain the process while he does the treatment on me. Of course upon watching the video back I realized I trampled on Dr. Greco (more than once) with my own thoughts as he was speaking, interjecting my questions or some other superfluous noun or verb here and there, but hey, I just had my head stuck with a needle a zillion times, give me a break LOL! I think I have a tendency in general to rush my thoughts out because I fear I’ll forget what I wanted to say before it gets said, I’ll work on that 😉

This treatment was different than my others, Dr. Greco incorporated CRP with the PRP to really give my follicles a kick in the bulb. Now you’re probably thinking, “Uh, what’s CRP?” Exactly, so am I! CRP apparently stands for Cytokine Rich Plasma which in simple terms is a “more purified form of PRP,” and it does not contain red blood cells. I’m still confused, so I guess you might be too, ha. While I’d love to pretend I know all the ins and outs of this, I don’t. I sat in a chair and had a syringe of my blood pushed into my scalp in a bunch of different places. The end. Nah, I wouldn’t leave you hanging like that, not entirely anyways.  I had emailed Dr. Greco a couple weeks ago  to share my hair update with him and I got a bit more info on the PRP with CRP that I’m quite certain is making you feel a little ADD right now, or maybe that’s just me.

Firstly, let me say I emailed him because I wanted to share that my hair is feeling and looking a bit better already. Like for real. The texture is a bit softer, and my hair just *looks* fuller overall. Clearly, in this short period of time this isn’t because of regrowth or anything, hair doesn’t grow that fast, but each existing follicle looks like it got a shot of super vitamins or something and they all just perked up a little bit. Yay for perkier hair! I’ve seen these results before, but I don’t recall ever seeing it this fast, so hence my email update to Dr. Greco. In his reply back to me he told me “The advantage is : with CRP (gold) the growth factors are released from the platelets immediately and work faster (hence you are seeing results sooner) and with the PRP (red) we have platelets that are not activated immediately (meaning the growth factors are not released from the surface of the platelets) so those growth factors release slowly and you get a delayed response over time.” So essentially doing both you get the double pow wow. Time will tell how this treatment will do in keeping the shedding at bay in the face of getting off my birth control pill, I won’t feel in the clear till the 6 -8 month mark.

I should note, that unlike my other treatments my head stayed sore for weeks after this PRP, I believe this was a result of the added CRP and also a bigger needle was used. I mention it because if anyone else has this done, you might expect that could possibly happen to you as well. My next PRP date is already set for the 4th month mark from my last, and I’ll set my next one for 4 months after that. I’ll probably keep a strict 4 month schedule until I reach the year and half mark, and at that time I’ll switch to going every 6 to 8 months for maintenance in keeping my shedding down.

The question I think I get more often than any in regards to this treatment is, “Do You Think It Works?” My answer can be found lying among the numerous plane ticket stubs I have as memories of my long flights from Los Angeles to Florida. I do this treatment because I believe it has most definitely been beneficial for me. It has not stopped my hair loss, and most everyone here knows I do choose to wear a wig full time. Perhaps had I started this treatment way early on when my hair loss was in it’s infancy, I might have maintained for even longer. Who knows, but it wasn’t around back then as a treatment for hair loss. My goal at this point is really just to slow the progression (and I do know it will keep progressing no matter what) and keeping the shedding at a reduced state. The fact that my hair is looking fuller , softer and a bit healthier is really a bonus for me, and something I’m very happy about! I’ve communicated with many women who have had this done, many have felt it has been an amazing and beneficial thing in their lives, and others found it did’t help at all – and that’s the way it will always be with any hair loss treatment. I think it’s important to have realistic expectations with anything pertaining to our hair, treatments, wigs… all of it.

I’ll keep everyone updated as I go through the following months, I’m hoping for the best, preparing for the worst, and keeping strong no matter what, knowing that regardless of what happens, I will be okay.

{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

B August 21, 2013 at 7:32 pm

Wow thanks for taking us along with you! I am happy that you’re having improvements that’s good news for sure. I wonder if a person can get this PRP done in other places than Florida? I emailed a local place that does PRP in my city and it looks like they do mostly sports injury PRP…can’t hurt to ask. I am kind of wimpy when it comes to needles but reducing shedding would make me really brave really fast! Anyways, wish you all the best in the coming months 🙂

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BW August 22, 2013 at 10:54 am

Y – this is so exciting to read that you think this last treatment in particular is proving beneficial, especially since you endured the bigger needle (ouch!). you’re a brave girl. Though I cant think of all that many things I wouldn’t endure to help save my hair, back when and even now. Bring on the needles!

Anyway, thanks for the update and keep them coming. Swish away, Sister!

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B August 22, 2013 at 4:20 pm

Just heard back that PRP is offered here for hairloss. I have to wait until the end of the month as the doctor that’s doing it here is just changing to a new office. I will phone and enquire. How do I know if this doctor is a quack or certified to do this sort of thing? Does Dr. Greco have some sort of credentials I should look for in this doctor?

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admin September 1, 2013 at 4:41 pm

@B – Thank you!! I don’t think there is any type of certification for PRP. You can PM me who the doc is and I can inquire with Dr. Greco if he’s heard of him and his work maybe.

@BW – Thank you!!! Swishy swishy to you too girl!

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E September 5, 2013 at 9:20 am

As a Dad of a 13 year old daughter who was just diagnosed with Alopecia..I want to first thank you for sharing your story. I’ve spent countless hours searching the internet for information and your website has been such a blessing. It has allowed us to get our minds around this challenge. With your help, we located a Follea representative in Washington State. With your help, we located Dr. Niedbalski in Tacoma and will be trying our first PRP Therapy with A-Cell next Thursday. You are an inspiration and a role model. My daughter has endured more then an average teenager including bullies and even cyper bullying. Please keep up the great work and know that you are a source of honest and REAL information. I’m humbled by your courage. Thank you …thank you..thank you

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Dan October 18, 2013 at 6:02 pm

Hi,
I consulted with Dr. Greco approximately 3 years ago about the potential uses of Orthobiologicals. After, researching PRP therapy I literally found Dr. Greco by chance. All I can say is it was like striking Gold for me.
I was impressed at the lack of arrogance with such a talented, accomplished and experienced expert on Orthobiologicals. After, meeting and consulting with Dr. Greco for the four inch saucer or as a friend said baloney patch that had thinned on the crown of my head. I really wanted to learn more about using PRP for spine, orthopedic conditions I had. He kindly referred me to an experienced anthesiologist for spine and orthopedic injections of CRP. In the meantime, I decided to go through the CRP on my scalp figuring I had nothing to lose. In less than a year and 2 injections my hair filed back in. I was so impressed I had two more injections over the past year or approximately every six months. My hair was soft and new on top. And, after the third injection my receding hairline began to have some new growth. I believe he told me this usually does not happen. I did a fourth injection and it has continued to fillin. Amazing! I experienced low to no pain within 12-24 hours after each injection. It’s painless in my opinion.
I can not thank Dr. Greco enough. A true pioneer and health care professional working in the patients best interest for the long term. His procedures and process along with his staff are second to none.
I have avoided both shoulders, hips, knees from being replaced with Dr. Greco’ s CRP injections. I did require 2-3 per joint. But, I am very happy to prolong the life of these joints and my spine. Dr. Greco’s brother Dr. John Greco has joined him now in a state if the sort facility in Sarasota. A great team here! Thank You. I will follow up in 2014. Dan, Naples, Florida

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Carol November 3, 2013 at 10:35 pm

I had PRP therapy with Dr. Greco in April, and unfortunately it didn’t help. I recall he showed me the “serum” from my blood and it was pretty much a gold color, and he did point out his machine/technique produced a richer concentration. I wonder if he was using CRP then (it hurt like crazy during the injections, but not after besides mild headache).

I followed-up with him by email about a month ago and didn’t hear back, and I will try again and mention the CRP. I did give his info to my dermatologist who seemed really intrigued by this, and I thought even if it didn’t help me it may help someone else. I’m glad you feel it is working and it will be interesting to see if the CRP really makes a difference over the long run. Thanks for sharing your story and keeping us up to date.

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MAGR November 16, 2013 at 12:55 pm

I have been losing my hair for over 14 months now after the Brazilian blowout treatment. I must’ve lost about 50 to 60% of my hair. My hair just drips out of my head all day long and when I wash I must be losing about 300 hairs plus all day long. During these 14 months I have been trying to prove myself that there’s nothing wrong with me internally but instead damage by the brazilian blowout. I still wake up in the middle of the night every night repeating “I can’t believe it”. Finally one endocrinologist looked up my results and said that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with me and that she totally believes the treatment did it because she had one herself her hair broke off and even four years after the treatment her hair texture never came back that now it grows weak and dry. Lucky her she still has her hair on her head. The endocrinologist thinks that the Brazilian blowout damaged my follicles and I see more hair loss as time goes by because more follicles are dying at once and i may be having scaring. My husband wants proof of the endocrinologist’s disgnosis by having me get a scalp biopsi (he is an md) he still believes that my problem is a matter of time and I will heal on my own (my scalp still burns and aches). I started reading about The platelet rich plasma treatments and was wondering if you have any update on how your treatment is coming along and if some people have had positive results. I called Dr. Greco’s office and they said that they have cured about 95% of the Brazilian blowout hair loss patients. Do you have any reference studies that I could read about as my husband has done extensive research with platelet rich plasma and I am trying to convince him to let me do this treatment but he’s questioning The mechanics of how the treatment can produce hair growing cells as opposed to any type of other cells. If anyone has had success please share as well. Thank you for providing this forum in which I have actually find helpful information and comfort.

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Leila August 1, 2014 at 10:39 am

Hello everyone my brother did this PRP only once and he was so pleased with the result everybody could see his hair getting fuller… So I did it as well 10 days ago in London I paid £500 for the prp and £150 for the visit ;$ but still no result I think it’s too early to see the result now… Any way i would do anything and spend as much to make sure I have healthy hair…. But at the moment my hair is getting thinner ! Nothing seems to work on my head yet ! :(((

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Molly October 29, 2014 at 2:17 pm

I have a question for the father of the 13 year old daughter. I live close to Tacoma and wondered how his daughter’s treatment went. Did it help at all and what did he think of the doctor and treatment. Thanks.

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Jessica November 10, 2014 at 11:10 am

Hi! Could anyone tell me of any good doctors who perform this procedute in Chicago?

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Diana December 12, 2014 at 10:09 am

Thank you for sharing. I’m happy for you!
You mention: “I do know my hair loss will keep progressing no matter what”. So despite doing the PRP, hair loss STILL progresses? I would have thought it at least prevented it from getting worse? What do you think?
I live in the UK and would appreciate any recommendations on a good practitioner (anyone?)
Many thanks xxx

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Melissa July 5, 2015 at 9:52 am

Hi ladies – Has anyone had PRP performed by Dr. Bernstein in NYC? Or know of any other great PRP practitioners in the NYC area? I would love your advice. Also, what is the difference between the various methods of PRP injection – I’ve read some doctors use spiked rollers, others use syringe injections, etc. and some systems use A-Cell or other additives. Which is the safest and most effective option?

Thanks so much for this website and amazing resource!

M

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Melissa July 5, 2015 at 9:58 am

Also – what is the difference between CRP and PRP? Thank you! xo

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Jennifer September 7, 2016 at 4:17 pm

Melissa, did u ever find a,doc in NY?? I’m very interested in doing this!

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Jessica December 17, 2019 at 10:06 pm

Any updates on this?? I’m considering getting this done, but haven’t found enough reviews…

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