💇 Platelet-Rich Plasma Scalp Injection Simulator

Venous Blood Collection

A small blood sample is the raw material for the entire therapy.

• 20–60 mL: Volume drawn (per session)
• ACD-A: Tube type (anticoagulant citrate)
• Antecubital vein: Draw site (forearm)
• ~2 min: Draw time (standard phlebotomy)

Why autologous blood

Patient's own blood avoids rejection risk.

No donor matching or disease transmission concerns.

Anticoagulant handling

Citrate additive prevents clotting before spin.

Gentle mixing preserves platelet integrity.

Density-Based Layer Separation

Spinning sorts blood components by density into distinct bands.

• 1500–3200 rpm: Spin speed (protocol dependent)
• 5–15 min: Spin duration (single or double spin)
• RBCs: Bottom layer (densest, discarded)
• Buffy coat: Middle layer (platelets + WBCs)

Single vs double spin

First spin separates plasma from RBCs.

Second spin concentrates platelets further.

Quality drives yield

Speed and balance determine platelet recovery.

Poor spin leaves platelets trapped in RBC layer.

Concentrating the Platelet Layer

The platelet-rich band is drawn off and prepared for injection.

• 3–7×: Target concentration (baseline platelet count)
• 3–8 mL: Extracted volume (per treatment)
• Optional: Activation (calcium chloride/thrombin)
• ~10 min: Prep time (total processing)

Pipetting the buffy coat

Careful aspiration avoids RBC contamination.

Higher purity means fewer inflammatory side effects.

Activation choice

Activating releases growth factors immediately.

Unactivated PRP activates naturally at injection site.

Delivering PRP to the Follicle Bulge

Micro-injections place PRP near dermal papilla and stem cell niche.

• 3–5 mm: Injection depth (dermis/subcutis)
• PDGF, VEGF, EGF: Growth factors (key signaling proteins)
• ~100–150: Injections/session (grid pattern)
• 4–6 weeks: Session interval (between treatments)

Growth factor cascade

PDGF drives proliferation, VEGF drives vascularization.

EGF supports keratinocyte and follicle cell growth.

Grid injection pattern

Evenly spaced injections cover thinning zones.

Density of coverage affects overall response.

Telogen-to-Anagen Transition

Growth factors wake dormant follicles across repeated monthly sessions.

• Telogen → Anagen: Cycle phases (resting to growth)
• 3–6 sessions: Typical course (monthly intervals)
• ~2–3 months: Visible response (after series start)
• ~70–80%: Responders (androgenetic alopecia)

Stem cell activation

Bulge stem cells respond to growth factor signaling.

Activation nudges follicles out of dormancy.

Cumulative effect

Each session compounds follicle recruitment.

Maintenance sessions sustain long-term density.