Nothing can shake your confidence as much as when you notice your hair beginning to thin. Your head of hair has been a crucial part of your self-image all your life—whether you had to battle the frizz or fight stubborn straight hair until you found the look that felt like you. It took a long time and a lot of bad haircuts to get there (we all remember mullets and bowl cuts), but does a thinning head of hair mean all that is behind you for good? Not anymore. New treatments have revealed a natural and non-invasive means of restoring to you your luscious locks. A PRP hair treatment in NYC may be the answer, but here are five things to consider before you decide whether or not it’s for you.

1. It isn’t as scary as it sounds

A PRP hair treatment in NYC, otherwise known as a platelet-rich plasma treatment, follows the same principle as the vampire facial. That’s right; it uses your own blood. Well, actually it uses the plasma portion of your blood, which is composed of white blood cells and platelets because those cells and platelets have a lot of growth potential. They essentially notify your body’s cells that they need to get to work, thereby stimulating cellular growth. The particular scientific principles behind this treatment have a number of medical applications, but when it is used to stimulate hair follicles, it can actually cause hair growth in the most biologically natural way possible. Essentially, the treatment uses an understanding of the body’s natural processes to stimulate those processes and promote the result you are looking for: hair growth.

2. It might not be for everyone

Eligible candidates for PRP hair treatments do include anyone who is experiencing hair loss, but those who are experiencing early hair loss and those who have androgenic alopecia tend to see the best results. The treatment does involve injections, though, so if you are phobic of needles, you may feel more comfortable seeking alternative options.

3. There are few risks

For the most part, a PRP hair treatment in NYC tends to be relatively risk-free. While there are injections involved, the plasma is derived from your own blood, so the risk of a negative reaction is minimal. Further, the procedure itself causes minimal discomfort and requires minimal downtime. The procedure is usually completed in a half hour, and any slight bruising that may occur will usually subside within a week or two.

4. There are a lot of rewards

Like getting back to the hairstyle you love. If you follow a consistent pattern of PRP hair treatments in NYC (once a month for the first three or four months, then every three to six months after), follow each treatment with a warm shower to stimulate blood flow and circulation, and take a couple of days off from coloring, blow-drying, straightening, or curling your hair after each treatment, you should see the desired results within three months.

5. No matter what you decide, make sure you stick with the professionals

Whether you decide to go with PRP hair treatments in NYC or another form of treatment, remember that your best results come from consulting with professionals who have certifications in the treatments they are offering.