PRP Hair Restorationat RAAC Richmond
Stimulate dormant follicles with your own growth factors — a regulated medical procedure led by Dr. Charles Jiang
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy concentrates the healing proteins already in your blood and delivers them directly into the scalp, where they wake up dormant hair follicles and extend the active growth phase. Dr. Charles Jiang (CPSBC), Medical Director of Richmond Anti-Aging Clinic with over 20 years of clinical experience, performs every treatment personally — combining precise injection technique with a thorough hair-loss evaluation.
The Science Behind Natural Regrowth
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) — the most common hair-loss pattern in both men and women — causes follicles to miniaturise and eventually become dormant, but rarely destroys them entirely. PRP works precisely in this window: as long as live follicles remain, the concentrated growth factors can re-activate them. Clinical studies indicate meaningful density improvement in early-to-mid AGA, female pattern hair loss, post-stress telogen effluvium, and post-COVID shedding. PRP does not regrow hair on a completely bald scalp where follicles have been absent for years.
PRP hair restoration at RAAC is a regulated medical procedure. Every treatment begins with a comprehensive hair and scalp evaluation by Dr. Jiang, who will assess your loss pattern, review your medical history for contraindications, and explain realistic expectations before any blood is drawn.
Autologous — No Foreign Substances
Because PRP is derived from your own blood, there is no risk of allergic reaction or immune rejection. It is a regulated medical procedure administered by Dr. Jiang under CPSBC oversight.
Physician-Directed Treatment
Dr. Charles Jiang evaluates your hair-loss pattern, rules out contraindications, and adjusts injection depth and distribution based on your scalp anatomy — not a standardised template.
Complements Medical Therapy
PRP works synergistically with oral finasteride or topical minoxidil when those are appropriate. Dr. Jiang can advise on a combined protocol during your consultation.
Blood Draw to Scalp Injection
The entire session — blood collection, centrifugation, scalp preparation, and injection — takes approximately 60–75 minutes. The centrifuge runs for 10–15 minutes, concentrating your platelets to therapeutic levels before the PRP is drawn up and injected across the target zones. Topical numbing cream is applied during this window so the scalp is comfortable for treatment.
Medical Centrifugation
A calibrated medical centrifuge separates red blood cells, platelet-poor plasma, and platelet-rich plasma into distinct layers. The PRP layer — containing 5–8× the normal platelet concentration — is extracted for injection.
Growth Factor Release
Once injected, activated platelets release PDGF, VEGF, EGF, and IGF-1 — the signalling proteins that trigger follicle stem cell activity and extend the anagen growth phase.
Precision Micro-Injection
Dr. Jiang uses fine-gauge needles to distribute PRP at the correct dermal depth across the thinning zones, ensuring each follicle receives an adequate dose of growth factors.
Autologous Biologic
No synthetic additives, no donor material. The treatment uses only what your body already produces — making it one of the safest biological interventions available for hair restoration.
Assessing Your Suitability
Dr. Jiang reviews your medical history, current medications, and performs a scalp examination at your consultation to confirm suitability before proceeding.
PRP is most effective for:
- +Early-to-mid androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in men and women — follicles still present but miniaturising
- +Female pattern hair loss with diffuse thinning across the crown and part line
- +Post-stress or post-illness telogen effluvium, including post-COVID shedding
- +Individuals who want a non-surgical, medically supervised option before considering hair transplant
- +Patients already on finasteride or minoxidil who want to enhance their response
PRP is not appropriate for:
- –Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- –Patients with blood disorders, platelet dysfunction, or on anticoagulant therapy
- –Active scalp infection, open wounds, or certain inflammatory scalp conditions
- –Complete scalp baldness with no residual follicular activity (no follicles to stimulate)
- –Active autoimmune alopecia areata flare (treatment should be deferred until stable)
Physician-Led Care, Richmond's Trusted Clinic
RAAC is a physician-led medical clinic in Richmond, BC. PRP hair treatments are conducted under CPSBC oversight with the same clinical rigour applied to all our medical aesthetic procedures.
Dr. Charles Jiang, CPSBC — 20+ Years Experience
Every PRP hair treatment at RAAC is performed by Dr. Jiang, not delegated to a technician. His background in medical aesthetics and hair loss management means your injection technique, depth calibration, and follow-up plan are determined by an experienced physician.
Medical-Grade Centrifugation Protocol
RAAC uses a calibrated medical centrifuge running a validated protocol to achieve consistent platelet concentration. The quality of the PRP — not just the injection — directly affects your outcome.
Comprehensive Hair Loss Assessment
Before treatment begins, Dr. Jiang evaluates your loss pattern, density, scalp health, and relevant medical history. This rules out conditions that mimic AGA and ensures PRP is the right intervention for your specific situation.
Mandarin & Cantonese Service Available
Dr. Jiang and the RAAC team communicate fluently in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese — ensuring Richmond's Chinese community can discuss their concerns and understand the treatment plan fully.
Where PRP Can Help
PRP can be distributed across any scalp zone where active but miniaturising follicles are present. Dr. Jiang maps your thinning pattern at consultation and customises the injection grid accordingly — rather than applying a uniform distribution that ignores your individual anatomy.
Crown (Vertex)
The most common zone of AGA progression in men. Crown thinning typically responds well to PRP when follicles are still present and producing fine, miniaturised hairs.
Hairline and Frontal Zone
Receding hairlines and frontal thinning in both men and women. PRP can help slow recession and improve density in this area, though results are more variable than at the crown.
Temples
Temporal recession is common in androgenetic alopecia. PRP injected here targets the follicles responsible for the natural framing of the face.
Mid-Scalp and Part Line
Diffuse thinning along the part line is the hallmark of female pattern hair loss. PRP addresses this zone with a distributed injection pattern matching the density deficit.
Generalised Diffuse Thinning
In telogen effluvium and post-illness shedding, thinning is often global. Dr. Jiang may recommend a whole-scalp protocol in these cases.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect
Most patients undergo 3–4 initial sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart to build the foundation, then transition to maintenance appointments every 4–6 months. Individual response varies — Dr. Jiang will reassess your progress at each visit.
Before Your Appointment
Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anticoagulant or blood-thinning medications for 5–7 days prior — discuss any prescription anticoagulants with Dr. Jiang before stopping them
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your session to reduce bruising risk
Arrive well-hydrated — this makes blood draw easier and improves PRP yield
Wash your hair the morning of treatment; do not apply styling products or dry shampoo
Bring a list of current medications and supplements so Dr. Jiang can screen for contraindications
During the Session (~60–75 minutes)
Blood Collection
A small volume of blood (typically 20–30 mL) is drawn from your arm — comparable to a routine blood test. The draw takes 2–3 minutes.
Centrifugation and PRP Preparation
The sample is spun in a medical centrifuge for 10–15 minutes, separating the platelet-rich layer. Topical numbing cream is applied to the scalp during this window.
Scalp Mapping and Preparation
Dr. Jiang marks the target injection zones based on your thinning pattern. The scalp is cleansed with antiseptic, and the numbing cream is removed once the scalp is adequately anaesthetised.
PRP Injection
Using fine-gauge needles, Dr. Jiang distributes the PRP across the mapped zones at the correct dermal depth. Most patients report mild scalp pressure or pinpoint discomfort — significant pain is uncommon with adequate numbing.
After Your Treatment
Mild scalp tenderness and pinpoint redness at injection sites are normal and typically resolve within 24–48 hours
Avoid touching, rubbing, or washing the scalp for 6–8 hours post-treatment
Resume your regular gentle shampoo the following morning; avoid harsh chemical treatments (colour, bleach, relaxers) for 72 hours
No strenuous exercise or activities causing heavy scalp sweating for 48 hours
Avoid saunas, steam rooms, and swimming for 1 week following each session
**Individual results vary. PRP is most effective in early-to-mid androgenetic alopecia where viable follicles are present. It cannot reverse complete baldness. Maintenance treatments are recommended to sustain benefit.
What Patients Ask Us
How many PRP sessions will I need?+
The standard protocol at RAAC is 3–4 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart for the initial course, followed by maintenance every 4–6 months. The exact number depends on your degree of hair loss, how your scalp responds, and whether you are combining PRP with medical therapy. Dr. Jiang will reassess at each visit and adjust the plan accordingly.
Is PRP hair treatment painful?+
Topical numbing cream is applied to the scalp during the centrifugation step, giving it adequate time to work before injections begin. Most patients describe mild pressure or pinpoint stinging during the injections — significant pain is uncommon. The scalp may feel mildly sore for 24–48 hours afterward, which is a normal response to the micro-injections.
When will I see results?+
Reduced shedding is often the first sign, noticed around 4–8 weeks into treatment. Visible density improvement typically becomes apparent at 12–16 weeks, with peak results around 6 months after the initial course. Hair growth cycles are slow, so patience and adherence to the maintenance schedule matter as much as the treatment itself.
Can PRP stop further hair loss?+
Clinical studies indicate PRP can slow the progression of androgenetic alopecia by strengthening miniaturising follicles and improving scalp circulation. Most patients report reduced daily shedding. It does not block the hormonal driver (DHT) the way finasteride does, which is why combining PRP with appropriate medical therapy often produces better long-term stability than either alone.
Are there any contraindications I should know about?+
Yes — PRP is not suitable for everyone. Patients with blood disorders, platelet dysfunction, or who are on anticoagulant medications require medical clearance or may be ineligible. Active scalp infections, certain inflammatory conditions, and pregnancy are also contraindications. This is exactly why Dr. Jiang conducts a thorough medical review before treatment rather than relying on a simple intake form.
Start Your PRP Hair Consultation with Dr. Jiang
Dr. Charles Jiang (CPSBC) will evaluate your hair loss pattern, review your suitability, and build a personalised treatment plan. English, Mandarin, and Cantonese consultations available at RAAC Richmond.
Also offered at our Burnaby location
SkinArt MD offers the same treatment. If Burnaby is more convenient, our sister clinic can help.
#101 - 4378 Beresford St, Burnaby, BC V5H 0H6 · +1 (604) 639-2581