Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has become a popular solution for individuals dealing with thinning hair or early-stage hair loss. By using growth factors from the patient’s own blood, PRP offers a natural and minimally invasive way to stimulate dormant hair follicles and promote regrowth. Whether you’re a medical aesthetician exploring advanced hair restoration options or a patient curious about what PRP for hair loss involves, this guide will walk you through the treatment process, expected results, benefits, limitations, and how to optimize outcomes for long-term success.
What makes PRP especially appealing for both patients and practitioners is the low-risk nature of the procedure. Because the plasma comes from the patient’s own blood, the likelihood of an allergic reaction or rejection is minimal. There's no synthetic material involved, and the treatment doesn't require general anesthesia or significant downtime.
What Is PRP and How Does It Support Hair Growth?
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a regenerative treatment derived from the patient’s own blood. It works by harnessing a concentrated dose of platelets and growth factors: key components in healing and tissue repair. When injected into the scalp, these growth factors stimulate dormant or weakened hair follicles, helping them re-enter the active growth phase (anagen).
PRP for hair loss is gaining popularity because it’s:
- Autologous (comes from the patient’s own body)
- Minimally invasive
- Customizable and low-risk
This makes it especially appealing for patients seeking natural alternatives to medication or surgery. We wrote about prp for hair loss in a separate blog post for your convenience.
Step-by-Step: The PRP Treatment Process
Understanding how PRP for hair loss is performed can help patients feel more confident and comfortable heading into treatment. Although it sounds technical, the entire procedure is relatively quick, minimally invasive, and typically completed in under an hour. Here’s a closer look at what happens during each stage:
1. Initial Consultation and Scalp Assessment
Before anything else, a thorough consultation is essential. The practitioner will evaluate the patient’s scalp, medical history, and the type of hair loss they’re experiencing. This helps determine if PRP treatment for hair loss is appropriate or if it should be combined with other therapies like microneedling, exosomes, or polynucleotides. It's also the time to set realistic expectations and discuss the recommended treatment schedule.
2. Blood Draw
The first step of the actual procedure involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood—usually from the arm, similar to a routine blood test. This blood will be used to extract platelet-rich plasma, which contains powerful growth factors that support hair follicle health and regeneration.
3. Centrifugation
The collected blood is placed into a centrifuge—a device that spins at high speeds to separate the various blood components. This spinning process isolates the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from red blood cells and other unwanted elements. What’s left is a golden, plasma-rich solution concentrated with healing proteins and growth factors. This is the star ingredient in PRP platelet rich plasma hair loss treatment.
4. Preparation of the Scalp
Before the PRP is injected, the scalp is cleansed, and a topical numbing cream may be applied to reduce any discomfort during the injections. Most patients report the procedure is very tolerable, with only mild sensitivity in some areas.
5. Injection or Microneedling Delivery
Next comes the actual delivery of PRP into the scalp. There are two main methods:
- Direct Injections: Small amounts of PRP are injected directly into the areas of hair thinning using a fine needle. These PRP injections for hair loss are usually spaced about 1 cm apart.
- Microneedling-Assisted Delivery: Some practitioners use microneedling to create tiny channels in the scalp, allowing PRP to penetrate more deeply. This method is often used when combining microneedling for hair loss with PRP to further stimulate collagen production and boost results.
Some clinics also offer a hybrid approach, using both injection and microneedling for enhanced effectiveness.
6. Post-Treatment Cooling or Soothing
Once the PRP has been delivered, the treated area may be cooled with a soothing serum or cold compress to minimize redness and swelling. Patients can usually return to normal activities right after the session, although it’s best to avoid washing the scalp or using harsh hair products for the first 24–48 hours.
What Types of Hair Loss Can PRP Treat?
PRP is most effective for:
- Androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness)
- Early-stage hair thinning, especially when the follicles are still active
- Postpartum hair loss and diffuse thinning
- Some cases of traction alopecia, though results vary
However, it’s less effective on completely bald areas where follicles are no longer viable. In such cases, a combination approach may yield better results, which we covered in different posts: polynucleotides for hair loss as well as exosomes for hair loss.
Treatment Timeline: Sessions and Duration
- A typical PRP hair loss treatment protocol includes:
- Initial phase: 3 to 4 sessions spaced about 4–6 weeks apart
- Maintenance phase: 1 session every 4–6 months
This phased approach allows the scalp to gradually respond and encourages long-term follicle stimulation.
Results: What to Expect and When
Patients usually notice improvements around the third month, though some may see changes earlier. Results continue to improve for up to 6–12 months.
Visible signs of success may include:
- Reduced hair shedding
- Thicker, denser hair growth
- New baby hairs along the hairline or thinning zones
It’s important to set realistic expectations: PRP doesn’t regrow hair overnight, but it can significantly improve hair density and scalp health with consistent sessions and follow-up care.
Benefits of PRP Hair Loss Therapy
One of the biggest reasons PRP (platelet-rich plasma) has become so popular in the aesthetic and hair restoration world is its ability to deliver impressive results using the body’s own natural healing properties. PRP injections for hair loss work by stimulating sluggish or weakened hair follicles with concentrated growth factors, essentially giving the scalp a biological boost. The benefits include:
- Natural and safe: Uses your own blood, minimizing allergic reactions
- Minimal downtime: Most patients return to daily life immediately
- Customizable: Can be paired with other techniques like microneedling or exosomes
- Suitable for many patients: Particularly those in the early stages of hair loss
Limitations and When to Combine Treatments
PRP isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Some patients may need a more aggressive or multimodal approach.
For example:
- Exosomes for hair loss offer a high concentration of growth factors that can supercharge PRP’s effects.
- Polynucleotides for hair loss improve tissue hydration and elasticity, supporting scalp recovery.
- Microneedling for hair loss can boost absorption and stimulate collagen in the scalp.
Combining modalities often leads to the most satisfying and sustained outcomes.
Post-Treatment Care and Long-Term Maintenance
To get the most from PRP, patients should follow these care guidelines:
- Avoid washing hair for 24–48 hours after treatment
- Refrain from heavy workouts and sweating for at least 24 hours
- Avoid sun exposure to the scalp for a few days
- Skip harsh hair products or dyes for 48–72 hours
- Follow practitioner-recommended maintenance treatments
Educating patients about the importance of a maintenance routine can also help set realistic expectations. Like with skincare, consistency is key when it comes to PRP therapy for hair loss.
Practitioner Tips: Patient Selection & Setting Expectations
- Assess follicular activity before recommending PRP
- Explain the gradual nature of results
- Offer package pricing or maintenance plans to encourage treatment adherence
- Keep before-and-after photos to show patients their progress
- Stay up to date through aesthetics courses online or future hair loss training sessions on advanced protocols
FAQ
Does PRP actually work for hair loss?
Yes, especially for androgenetic alopecia and early thinning. Results depend on consistency and the health of the follicles.
How much does PRP for hair loss cost?
Costs range from $400 to $1,500 per session depending on location, provider, and treatment protocol.
What is the success rate of PRP for hair loss?
Studies suggest a success rate of 70–80% in properly selected patients, with improved hair density and reduced shedding.
Is there a better option than PRP?
PRP is highly effective for many, but exosomes, polynucleotides, or combination therapies may outperform it in advanced cases.
What are the negatives of PRP?
PRP requires multiple sessions and results are not guaranteed. Some patients may experience mild swelling or discomfort at the injection sites.
Sources
1. Stevens J, Khetarpal S. Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: A review of the literature and proposed treatment protocol. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2018;5(1):46-51. Published 2018 Sep 21. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2018.08.004 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6374694/
2. Gentile P, Garcovich S. Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Minoxidil®, Finasteride®, and Adult Stem Cell-Based Therapy. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(8):2702. Published 2020 Apr 13. doi:10.3390/ijms21082702 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7216252/
3. Ikumi, Akira & Hara, Yuki & Yoshioka, Tomokazu & Kanamori, Akihiro & Yamazaki, Masashi. (2017). Effect of local administration of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) on peripheral nerve regeneration: An experimental study in the rabbit model. Microsurgery. 38. 10.1002/micr.30263. DOI: 10.1002/micr.30263