PRP Hair Restorationat RAAC Richmond
Concentrated growth factors delivered to the scalp's dermal papilla — reactivating dormant follicles and extending the anagen growth phase
Androgenetic hair loss follows a predictable biology: the anagen (growth) phase shortens cycle by cycle, follicles miniaturise, and shedding accelerates. Scalp PRP addresses this at the source — your blood is drawn, centrifuged to isolate a 5–8× platelet concentrate, and injected at the dermal papilla level where follicle stem cell signalling occurs. Dr. Charles Jiang (CPSBC), Medical Director of Richmond Anti-Aging Clinic with over 20 years of clinical experience, performs every injection personally using a precision scalp-mapping protocol tailored to your individual thinning pattern.
The Science Behind Natural Regrowth
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) — the most prevalent cause of hair thinning in men and women — miniaturises follicles progressively over years without eliminating them entirely. PRP exploits this window of opportunity: the dermal papilla cells governing follicle cycling remain alive and responsive long into the AGA process. Delivered at sufficient concentration and the correct dermal depth, the growth factors in PRP can override the miniaturisation signal, re-extending anagen and improving shaft calibre. Clinical evidence supports benefit in early-to-mid AGA, female pattern thinning, and post-stress telogen effluvium. PRP cannot restore follicles that have been absent for years on a fully bald scalp.
Every PRP hair session at RAAC begins with a structured scalp assessment by Dr. Jiang: loss pattern classification, follicle density estimation, scalp health review, and contraindication screening. Treatment is tailored to your anatomy — not applied from a template. Realistic timelines and expectations are established before any blood is drawn.
Autologous — Zero Foreign Material
PRP is isolated from your own blood and reintroduced into your scalp — no donor tissue, no synthetic additives, no risk of immune rejection. Every treatment is performed under CPSBC physician oversight at RAAC.
Scalp-Specific Injection Protocol
Unlike generalised PRP applications, scalp PRP at RAAC uses a depth-calibrated technique that targets the dermal papilla layer rather than superficial dermis. Injection depth, distribution grid, and volume per zone are individually adjusted by Dr. Jiang to match your thinning pattern.
Synergy with Medical Hair Therapy
Scalp PRP works alongside finasteride or topical minoxidil rather than replacing them — addressing the follicle's growth-phase biology while medical therapy manages the hormonal driver. Dr. Jiang can design a combined protocol at your consultation.
Blood Draw to Scalp Injection
The complete session — venipuncture, centrifugation, scalp numbing, zone mapping, and injection — takes approximately 60–75 minutes. While the centrifuge runs for 10–15 minutes, topical anaesthetic is applied to the scalp, maximising numbing time without extending the appointment. Dr. Jiang draws up the isolated PRP immediately before injection to preserve growth factor viability at the point of delivery.
Calibrated Medical Centrifuge
A validated centrifugation protocol separates red blood cells, platelet-poor plasma, and the platelet-rich buffy coat into discrete layers. The PRP fraction — 5–8× normal platelet concentration — is extracted carefully to minimise red cell contamination, which can impair growth factor activity at the injection site.
Dermal Papilla Depth Targeting
Injection depth is calibrated to reach the dermal papilla at the base of each follicle — the control hub for hair cycle transitions. Superficial injection misses this anatomical target entirely. Dr. Jiang adjusts depth by zone and scalp anatomy across each treatment session.
Precision Scalp Mapping Grid
Before the first injection, Dr. Jiang maps active thinning zones and determines the distribution grid — spacing, injection point density, and volume per point — ensuring systematic coverage without over-concentrating PRP in any single follicle cluster.
Unadulterated Autologous Biologic
No synthetic activators or chemical additives are introduced. The PRP is used in its natural isolated state, relying on the body's own platelet activation response at the injection site to trigger the cascade of growth factor release that stimulates follicle activity.
Assessing Your Suitability
Dr. Jiang reviews your medical history, current medications, and performs a thorough scalp examination at your initial consultation to confirm clinical suitability before any blood is drawn.
PRP is most effective for:
- +Early-to-mid androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in men and women — follicles still present and miniaturising but not yet lost
- +Female pattern hair loss presenting as diffuse crown and part-line thinning with preserved follicle density
- +Post-stress or post-illness telogen effluvium — including post-COVID diffuse shedding — where the follicle cycle has been disrupted
- +Those seeking a non-surgical, physician-supervised option prior to evaluating hair transplant candidacy
- +Patients already using finasteride or minoxidil who want to enhance follicle-level response alongside medical therapy
PRP is not appropriate for:
- –Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- –Patients with haematological disorders, platelet dysfunction, or those requiring anticoagulant therapy
- –Active scalp infection, open scalp wounds, or certain inflammatory scalp conditions requiring treatment first
- –Complete scalp baldness where no residual follicular activity remains — no viable dermal papilla cells to stimulate
- –Active alopecia areata flare — treatment should be deferred until the inflammatory phase is 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 standards applied to all our medical aesthetic procedures.
Dr. Charles Jiang, CPSBC — Every Injection, Every Visit
Scalp PRP is a precision medical procedure where injection depth, distribution density, and volume per zone all influence follicle response. At RAAC, Dr. Jiang performs every treatment himself — never delegated to a technician. His 20+ years of clinical experience and working knowledge of scalp anatomy translate into a more targeted protocol than a standardised injection template allows.
Validated Centrifugation for Consistent Platelet Yield
PRP quality varies significantly by centrifuge model, spin protocol, and extraction technique. RAAC uses a medical-grade centrifuge running a validated protocol to achieve a consistent 5–8× platelet concentration. The buffy coat is extracted precisely to minimise red cell contamination — a factor that meaningfully affects growth factor efficacy at the follicle level.
Pattern-Based Scalp Assessment at Every Session
Hair loss patterns shift over time — the thinning distribution at your first session may differ from your fifth. Before each treatment, Dr. Jiang reassesses density, shaft calibre, shedding rate, and zone progression, adjusting the injection grid to match your current scalp state rather than repeating a fixed protocol.
Mandarin & Cantonese Service Available
Dr. Jiang and the RAAC team communicate fluently in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese — ensuring Richmond's Chinese community can discuss hair loss concerns in depth and understand the full treatment plan without language barriers.
Where PRP Can Help
Scalp PRP at RAAC is mapped to your individual thinning pattern rather than applied uniformly across the entire scalp. Dr. Jiang identifies zones where follicles are actively miniaturising but still viable, concentrating the injection grid where growth factor delivery will have the greatest impact on density recovery.
Crown (Vertex)
The primary AGA progression zone in men. Vertex follicles carry the highest density of androgen receptors and typically respond well to PRP when miniaturisation is early-to-mid stage and fine hairs are still present.
Hairline and Frontal Zone
Frontal recession and hairline thinning in both men and women. PRP may slow frontal recession and improve density of existing miniaturised hairs, though this zone tends to show more variable response than the crown.
Temples
Bitemporal recession is an early AGA sign in men and a common feature of female pattern loss. PRP targets the follicles defining facial framing — with the goal of stabilising and partially recovering this zone.
Mid-Scalp and Part Line
Widening part line and diffuse mid-scalp thinning are hallmarks of female pattern hair loss. Dr. Jiang applies a distributed injection pattern calibrated to the density deficit across this zone, addressing the follicle miniaturisation that widens the visible part.
Generalised Diffuse Thinning
Telogen effluvium and post-illness hair loss often affect the entire scalp globally rather than following a defined pattern. Dr. Jiang may recommend a whole-scalp protocol in these cases, with higher injection-point density concentrated in the most affected areas.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect
Most patients complete 3–4 initial sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart to establish the foundational growth factor stimulus, then transition to maintenance appointments every 4–6 months. Individual response varies by AGA stage and scalp biology — Dr. Jiang reassesses your progress at each visit and adjusts the protocol accordingly.
Before Your Appointment
Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and other blood-thinning medications for 5–7 days prior — discuss any prescribed anticoagulants with Dr. Jiang before stopping them
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your session to reduce the risk of bruising at injection sites
Arrive well-hydrated — adequate hydration makes venipuncture easier and improves overall PRP yield from the blood draw
Wash your hair the morning of your appointment; do not apply styling products, dry shampoo, or scalp treatments beforehand
Bring a complete list of current medications and supplements so Dr. Jiang can screen for contraindications at the start of your session
During the Session (~60–75 minutes)
Blood Collection
A measured volume of blood (typically 20–30 mL) is drawn from your arm via standard venipuncture — comparable to a routine blood test. The draw itself takes approximately 2–3 minutes.
Centrifugation and PRP Isolation
The sample is spun in a medical centrifuge for 10–15 minutes, separating red blood cells, platelet-poor plasma, and the platelet-rich buffy coat into distinct layers. The PRP fraction is carefully extracted. Topical numbing cream is applied to the scalp during this window to maximise anaesthetic effect.
Scalp Mapping and Zone Preparation
Dr. Jiang marks the target injection zones based on your thinning pattern and calibrates injection depth by scalp region. The treatment area is cleansed with antiseptic and the numbing cream removed once the scalp is adequately anaesthetised.
Depth-Calibrated Dermal Papilla Injection
Using fine-gauge needles, Dr. Jiang delivers PRP to the dermal papilla depth across the mapped zones in measured volumes per injection point. Most patients describe mild scalp pressure or brief pinpoint sting — significant pain is uncommon with adequate numbing and correct technique.
After Your Treatment
Mild scalp tenderness and pinpoint redness at injection sites are a normal post-procedure response and typically resolve within 24–48 hours
Avoid touching, rubbing, or washing the scalp for 6–8 hours post-treatment to allow the injected PRP to remain localised at the treatment sites
Resume regular gentle shampooing the following morning; avoid chemical scalp treatments such as colour, bleach, or relaxers for 72 hours
No strenuous exercise or activities that produce heavy scalp sweating for 48 hours after each session
Avoid saunas, steam rooms, and swimming pools for 1 week following each PRP session
**Individual results vary. PRP is most effective in early-to-mid androgenetic alopecia where viable follicles remain present. It cannot restore density on a scalp where follicles have been absent for years. Maintenance treatments are recommended to sustain long-term benefit.
What Patients Ask Us
How many PRP sessions will I need?+
RAAC's standard protocol is 3–4 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart for the initial course, followed by maintenance every 4–6 months once the foundational stimulus is established. The precise number depends on your AGA stage, residual follicle density, scalp response between sessions, and whether you are combining PRP with finasteride or minoxidil. Dr. Jiang reassesses your progress at every visit and adjusts the treatment schedule based on what your scalp is actually showing — not a fixed formula.
Is scalp PRP injection painful?+
Topical numbing cream is applied to the scalp during the centrifugation step, giving it adequate time to anaesthetise the treatment area before injections begin. Most patients describe mild scalp pressure or brief pinpoint stinging at each injection point as the needle reaches the dermal papilla depth — not sharp or sustained pain. The scalp may feel mildly tender for 24–48 hours afterward as a normal response to micro-injection. Significant or prolonged discomfort is uncommon and should be reported to Dr. Jiang at your follow-up.
When will I notice results?+
The most consistent early sign is reduced daily shedding — many patients notice the hair on their pillow or in the shower decreasing around weeks 4–8, as the anagen phase begins to extend in treated follicles. Visible regrowth and improved density typically become apparent at 12–16 weeks. Peak density improvement usually occurs around 6 months after the initial course is complete. Because hair cycles are inherently slow biological processes, results build progressively rather than appearing overnight — adherence to the maintenance schedule is as important as the initial sessions.
Can PRP stop my hair loss from getting worse?+
Clinical studies suggest scalp PRP may slow the progression of androgenetic alopecia by strengthening miniaturising follicles and improving the scalp microenvironment that sustains them. Reduced daily shedding is the most commonly reported early outcome. However, PRP does not block the hormonal mechanism — DHT-driven miniaturisation — the way finasteride does. Combining PRP with appropriate medical therapy tends to produce more durable stabilisation than either treatment alone, which is why Dr. Jiang often discusses a combined protocol at consultation for patients with active AGA.
Are there contraindications I should know about?+
Yes — scalp PRP is not suitable for everyone, and the screening process matters. Patients with platelet dysfunction, haematological disorders, or those requiring anticoagulant medications may be ineligible or need medical clearance before proceeding. Active scalp infections, certain inflammatory scalp conditions, active alopecia areata flares, and pregnancy are also contraindications. Dr. Jiang conducts a structured medical review at your consultation — reviewing your full medication list, medical history, and performing a scalp examination — before any treatment is scheduled. This is not a routine intake form process.
Start Your PRP Hair Consultation with Dr. Jiang
Dr. Charles Jiang (CPSBC) will classify your hair loss pattern, assess follicle density and scalp health, screen for contraindications, and build a personalised scalp injection protocol. 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