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pattern thinning · active follicles · diagnosis first

PRP for Hair Lossin Brighton & Hove

Start with a diagnosis, not a needle.

PRP — platelet-rich plasma — is prepared from a small sample of your own blood and injected into the scalp. For selected patterns of thinning, where the follicles are still active, it may support density as part of a wider plan.

But “hair loss” is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and PRP is not a cure, not a stem-cell treatment, and not guaranteed. The evidence is real but modest and mixed. This page explains what it can and cannot do — by diagnosis and by sex — before any decision is made.

The first task is not to inject the scalp. It is to establish what is happening to your hair, and why.

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QUICK OVERVIEW

Quick overview

The essentials, before the detail.

This is education about PRP for hair, and about why diagnosis must come first. It is not a promise of regrowth, and treatment is decided only after an in-person scalp assessment — sometimes with blood tests, and sometimes the honest answer is that PRP is not the right step.

What it is: Autologous platelet-rich plasma — your own concentrated platelets — injected into selected areas of the scalp
Not: Not a stem-cell treatment, not a cure, not a transplant, and not a way to make new follicles
Clearest evidence: Androgenetic (pattern) hair loss where follicles remain active — a modest density gain for some^[4]
Appointment: About 60–90 minutes including assessment, blood draw, processing and treatment
Pain: Several fine scalp injections; comfort measures help but it is not always painless
Initial appearance: No immediate visible hair change; redness or tenderness on the day
Meaningful assessment: Usually 3–6 months, judged with standardised photographs — not the mirror
Course: Commonly about three sessions, 4–6 weeks apart, adjusted to diagnosis and response^[9]
Visible recovery: Tenderness, redness or sensitivity for the day; bruising possible but less common than facial PRP
Maintenance: Considered only if the first course worked — often 6–12-monthly, earned by result, not assumed
Key limitation: It cannot restore follicles that are gone, and often works best alongside established medical treatment
Fee: From £275 for a two-vial treatment; course options below. Confirmed only after diagnosis
Age: Adults 18+ only

PRP may support miniaturising follicles that are still active. It cannot create follicles where they are no longer present, and it does not switch off the underlying cause — which is why the plan comes after the diagnosis, never before it.

The one thing that matters most

“Hair loss” describes what you have noticed — it does not explain why. Two people can look identical in the mirror and have completely different causes, treated in completely different ways. Injecting a scalp before understanding the cause is usually the wrong order.

PRP may be relevant when

The diagnosis is reasonably clear — usually early or moderate pattern loss
Miniaturised follicles are still present and the scalp is healthy
Reversible medical causes have been considered

Another route comes first when

Shedding follows illness, stress, childbirth or rapid weight loss (telogen effluvium)
Iron, thyroid, hormonal or nutritional causes are untreated
There is patchy, scarring or inflammatory loss needing medical assessment

So the consultation does not begin with “how many PRP sessions?” It begins with a different question: what is happening to your hair, and why?

What PRP can — and cannot — do

Support, not restoration.

May help

Reduce excessive shedding and help stabilise hair
Improve density and the look of thinning areas in responders
Support miniaturised follicles that remain active
Add local support alongside a wider plan

Cannot do

Guarantee regrowth or restore a youthful hairline
Recover follicles that have permanently gone, or reverse advanced baldness
Correct untreated iron, thyroid or nutritional problems
Control active scarring alopecia, or replace a transplant

The first noticeable change is often simply less hair falling out; visible density takes longer. The result should look like better growth from your own follicles — no artificial hair, no change to its natural colour or character.

A realistic timeline — and honest recovery

On the dayNo visible hair change; redness, pinpoint bleeding, tenderness or a tight scalp; damp-looking hair for a while

First weeksUsually no meaningful visible difference; the scalp settles

2–3 monthsSome responders notice reduced shedding or that the hair feels more stable

3–6 monthsChanges in density or the look of thinning areas may become clearer — the fair point to judge worth^[4]

MaintenanceIf it worked, perhaps every 6–12 months — earned by the result, not automatic

Hair grows slowly and in cycles, so four weeks is far too early to judge. Progress is measured over a course with standardised photographs, because memory is a poor measuring tool. Most people return to ordinary activities the same day.

When another route — or none — is more appropriate

PRP is rarely the whole plan. Depending on the diagnosis, a different or additional route is often more direct:

Progressive pattern lossEstablished medical treatment is the evidence-supported first step to slow progression — a private prescribing decision made after assessment, never chosen from a website.

Iron, thyroid or nutritionCorrecting a deficiency — sometimes this does more for your hair than any injection.

Telogen effluviumTime and treating the trigger; shedding often recovers on its own.

Established baldnessHair transplant assessment — PRP does not move or create follicles.

Patchy, scarring or inflammatory lossDermatology assessment — sometimes urgent — before any cosmetic treatment.

Scalp or skin qualitySkincare or a skin-quality route; PRP for the skin is a separate treatment.

The decision

A consultation establishes what is changing, whether the cause needs investigating, and whether PRP is likely to add real value — or whether medical treatment, referral or simply waiting would serve you better. The recommendation is honest, and the decision is yours.

Book a clinical consultation Continue to the full guide

Full clinical guide

Diagnosis · DecidingTreatment & results · SafetyEvidence by diagnosis & sex · Fees

Full clinical guide

The real detail, when you are ready for it.

For patients who want to understand this properly: what PRP for hair is and how it differs from skin PRP, the hair-cycle biology in plain language, why the diagnosis decides everything, what the evidence actually shows by diagnosis and by sex, the realistic timeline, the real risks, and when medical treatment, referral or no treatment is the better answer. It is long on purpose, and it replaces nothing said in a face-to-face assessment. Where I give a personal view, I say so and keep it separate from the published evidence.

01What PRP for hair is

Your own platelets, concentrated — not a stem-cell treatment.

PRP — platelet-rich plasma — is prepared from a small sample of your own blood, spun in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich portion, which is then injected into selected areas of the scalp. Platelets carry growth factors and signalling proteins involved in normal tissue repair; around miniaturising follicles, those signals may influence the local environment and growth cycle.^[11] It is autologous (from you), so allergy to the main material is unlikely. It is not a stem-cell treatment, and describing it as one is inaccurate.

This differs from PRP for the skin, where the aim is skin quality rather than the hair follicle. Scalp PRP targets follicles that are still active; the preparation and the injection pattern are planned for the scalp. PRP for skin is a separate treatment on its own page. Because platelet preparation varies — blood volume, spin settings, activation, platelet concentration and how much is injected all differ between systems and studies — results are not automatically transferable between one protocol and another.

02Hair-cycle biology, briefly

Why hair changes slowly, and in cycles.

Each follicle cycles through a growing phase (anagen), a brief transition (catagen), a resting phase (telogen) and shedding. In pattern hair loss, genetically susceptible follicles gradually miniaturise — producing shorter, finer, less pigmented hairs over successive cycles until some stop producing meaningful hair. PRP is thought to act on the follicle’s support structures: encouraging the dermal papilla, prolonging the growth phase and supporting local blood supply.^[11] That is a biologically plausible idea, not a guarantee — and because the cycle is slow, real change takes months, and early judgement misleads.

03Shedding is a symptom, not a diagnosis

The single most important point on this page.

Hair loss is not one condition. It describes what someone has noticed; it does not explain why. Two people can look almost identical in the mirror while having completely different underlying problems — and they are not treated the same way. Injecting the scalp before understanding the cause is, more often than not, the wrong order of operations. The possibilities weighed before ever discussing PRP include:

Androgenetic (pattern) hair loss
Telogen effluvium after illness, stress, surgery or childbirth
Iron deficiency or reduced iron stores
Thyroid dysfunction
Hormonal change or medication-related shedding
Nutritional deficiency or rapid weight loss
Alopecia areata (autoimmune)
Scarring (cicatricial) alopecia
Traction alopecia from tension
Scalp inflammation or skin disease

These are not treated in the same way — PRP may help in one and be largely irrelevant in another. Sometimes correcting iron, thyroid or nutrition does more for your hair than any injection would. So the consultation begins with a different question: “What is happening to your hair, and why?”

04Where PRP fits — by cause

The same “thinning” means different things.

Male-pattern hair loss. Temples, hairline, top and crown may be affected. PRP may support density where miniaturised follicles remain; long-bald areas are unlikely to respond, and the receding hairline is often less responsive than the crown.

Female-pattern hair loss. A wider parting, reduced density on top or a thinner ponytail can occur while the frontal hairline is preserved. Iron status, thyroid function, hormonal context and medication often need consideration first; there is randomised evidence for a density gain in women (below).

Telogen effluvium. Diffuse shedding weeks or months after illness, stress, surgery or childbirth — it often improves once the trigger resolves, so PRP is rarely the first step.

After rapid weight loss. Shedding can follow rapid loss, low protein or nutritional deficiency, often with a delay. PRP cannot replace iron, protein or nutrition; the medical context comes first.

Alopecia areata. Patchy autoimmune loss requiring assessment; the diagnosis and established treatment pathway take priority, and the PRP evidence here is weaker and uncertain.^[6]

Scarring alopecia. Burning, itch, redness, pustules, smooth shiny areas or loss of follicular openings can signal permanent follicular damage. Medical assessment — sometimes biopsy — must not be delayed by PRP; where the follicle is destroyed, there is nothing for PRP to rescue.

Traction alopecia. Tension from tight braids, extensions or ponytails; the mechanical cause must stop first.

Around a hair transplant. PRP is sometimes used to support healing or the local follicular environment, coordinated with the transplant surgeon — it does not move or create follicles.

05What it may achieve — and cannot promise

Support and preservation, not manufacture.

The strongest evidence is in androgenetic alopecia where follicles are still active: PRP may improve density and reduce shedding for some people.^[4] The person with the most advanced loss is not necessarily the one most likely to benefit — PRP needs a functioning follicle to work with. A widening parting or gradual thinning is often more treatable than an area smooth and bald for years.

May help: reduce excessive shedding; improve density; improve the appearance of thinning areas; support miniaturised follicles; help preserve existing hair as part of a plan. Cannot promise: guaranteed regrowth or a restored juvenile hairline; recovery of follicles that are gone; reversal of advanced baldness; correction of untreated iron or thyroid problems; control of active scarring alopecia; or the same result in everyone. PRP can improve density in some appropriately selected patients — that is different from “growing your hair back”.

06Who benefits — and when it is poor value

Honest candidacy.

Worth considering when: the diagnosis is reasonably clear; thinning is early or moderate with miniaturised hairs still present; the scalp is healthy enough to treat; reversible medical causes have been considered; medication may also be recommended and that is understood; expectations are about improvement, not full restoration; and a proper course and review are realistic.

Likely poor value when: the diagnosis has not been established; the area has been bald for years or follicular openings are gone; there is untreated scarring or inflammatory disease; a deficiency or ongoing rapid weight loss has not been addressed; or only one isolated session with no realistic review is possible. Advising against PRP in these situations is not giving up — it is avoiding a treatment unlikely to justify its cost.

07PRP is rarely the whole plan

Understand this before paying for a course.

Pattern hair loss is progressive: the biological process causing miniaturisation may continue whether or not PRP is injected. PRP may support the follicle; it does not necessarily switch off the process working against it.^[8] For progressive pattern loss, established medical treatment is the evidence-supported first step to slow progression, and earlier treatment achieves the better outcome. Where the diagnosis and history support it, appropriate medical management is usually considered alongside PRP — and meta-analysis suggests the combination can outperform either alone for some patients.^[5]

Any medicine is a prescribing decision made privately after assessment — it is never chosen from a website, and this page does not recommend or advertise a specific medicine. Not everyone can, wants or needs medication; PRP can still be considered in selected cases, understanding that PRP alone may give a smaller or less durable result if the underlying process remains active. The decision is yours; my job is to be clear about the difference between what is possible and what is most likely to work.

A clinical perspectivePiotr Wojtowicz

08How it differs from other options

Where PRP sits.

Established medical treatment acts on the hair-loss process itself and is the evidence-supported first step for progressive pattern loss; often works well alongside PRP. A prescribing decision made individually — not advertised here.
Treating the cause — iron, thyroid, medication, nutrition, stress, illness — is often the highest-value step, sometimes the only one needed.
Hair transplant surgically redistributes existing follicles for established loss where follicles are already absent; PRP does not move or create follicles.
PRF (a fibrin-rich preparation, also from your blood) has no evidence of being universally better for hair; PRP has the broader research base.
Doing nothing, or monitoring with photographs, is legitimate — especially where shedding is likely to recover on its own.

09Consultation, scalp examination & blood tests

Not a “book and inject” procedure.

The consultation is where I decide whether PRP deserves to be part of your plan — asking when the loss began, whether you are shedding or thinning, how fast it has changed, which areas are affected, family history, illness or stress, weight and nutrition, hormonal history, medication and previous treatments, and what you are hoping for. I examine the pattern and the scalp, and magnified assessment can show miniaturisation, inflammation, scaling and whether follicular openings remain. The plan comes after this — not before it.

Will I need blood tests?

Sometimes. They are not automatic for everyone, but they are appropriate where the history or pattern points to a correctable cause — iron deficiency, anaemia, thyroid dysfunction, nutritional or hormonal disturbance, or systemic illness. Testing is directed by the clinical picture, not ordered wholesale. Where investigation or referral is the better step — including urgent referral for signs of scarring or inflammatory disease — I will say so, and PRP waits.

10Preparation, pain & the appointment

What the visit involves.

Preparing. Eat normally and arrive well hydrated, with a clean scalp and without heavy oils, fibres or concealing products. Tell me about all medication and supplements, recent illness or antibiotics, any scalp rash or inflammation, and if you have ever fainted during a blood test. Do not stop prescribed or blood-thinning medication simply to become eligible — any changes are discussed properly first.

01 Assessment and baseline photographs — hair changes slowly, and memory is a poor measuring tool
02 A small blood sample, taken as for a routine blood test — I carry out the draw myself
03 Centrifugation to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich plasma
04 The scalp is cleaned; comfort measures or local anaesthetic where appropriate
05 A series of small injections across the selected area
06 Aftercare guidance matched to your scalp, and a planned review

Does it hurt, and how will my scalp look?

The scalp is sensitive and several injections are needed, so it can pinch, sting or feel tight; some areas are more sensitive than others. Comfort is managed, but I will not promise a painless procedure, because that would not be true for everyone. Afterwards you may have redness, pinpoint bleeding, small raised points, mild swelling or occasional bruising, and the hair can look damp for a while. Most settles quickly; tenderness may linger a few days. No shaving is needed — the hair is sectioned, and long or curly hair is fine.

11Timeline, course & maintenance

Patience is part of the treatment.

Hair grows slowly and in cycles, so PRP produces no immediate visual change. Shedding may settle before density visibly changes, and progress is judged over a course, not one visit. Four weeks is generally too early to use new density as the test of success.^[4]

First few weeksUsually no meaningful visible difference; the scalp settles

2–3 monthsSome responders notice reduced shedding or more stable hair

3–6 monthsDensity or the look of thinning areas may become more apparent

6 months +A fair point to compare standardised photographs and judge worth

MaintenanceIf it worked, perhaps every 6–12 months — earned by the result, not automatic

PRP for hair is a course, not an event — commonly about three sessions, roughly four to six weeks apart, sometimes a fourth, adjusted to diagnosis and response; one isolated session rarely gives enough information, and network meta-analysis suggests efficacy improves with more sessions and shorter intervals.^[9] Most people return to ordinary activities quickly, though the scalp may stay tender or red for the day. You may be advised to postpone strenuous exercise, saunas and heat, swimming, vigorous massage, colouring or irritating scalp products, with written guidance. Maintenance is considered only after the first course has been judged, and depends on the response, whether medical treatment is used consistently, the rate of progression and whether the benefit justifies the cost.

12Safety & risks

Safe, but not risk-free.

Because PRP is made from your own blood, allergy to the principal injected material is unlikely, and across the clinical trials no serious adverse events were attributed to it.^[1] That does not make it risk-free — its safety rests more on the standards of the person performing it than on the material itself. Most trials report only mild, transient effects and do not give precise numerators, so honest ranges matter more than false precision.

Common — expected & temporary

Injection discomfort

Most people

Pinching, stinging or a tight scalp during and briefly after treatment.

Managed by

Comfort measures; some areas are more sensitive than others.

Redness, tenderness, pinpoint bleeding

Common, hours–days

Settles quickly; the hair may look damp for a while.

Depends on

Area treated, individual sensitivity.

Less common

Bruising & mild swelling

Possible

Less common on the scalp than with facial PRP; resolves over days.

Depends on

Technique, bruising tendency, blood-thinning medicines.

Headache or tight scalp; feeling faint at the draw

Occasional

Short-lived; tell me if you have fainted during blood tests before.

Reduced by

Hydration, eating beforehand, lying the draw down if needed.

Rare

Infection or prolonged inflammation

Rare

Any injection carries a small infection risk; needs prompt assessment and sometimes antibiotics.

Reduced by

Sterile technique, aftercare, treating scalp disease first.

Persistent pain, bleeding, or an absent result

Rare / variable

Not everyone responds; a genuine non-response is possible and is discussed honestly.

Note

Other materials (antiseptic, anticoagulant, anaesthetic) carry their own considerations.

Contact the clinic promptly if pain increases rather than settles, the scalp becomes hot or swollen, redness spreads, or there is discharge or fever. The written aftercare provides the relevant contact route.

13Who should not have it

Contraindications & cautions.

Active scalp infection or untreated inflammatory scalp disease
Unexplained patchy or scarring loss not yet assessed
Significant current illness or fever; uncontrolled medical illness
Clinically important anaemia; platelet, blood or bleeding disorders
Medication that materially affects bleeding — assessed individually
Inability to give a suitable blood sample
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Too few viable follicles to treat, or unrealistic expectations

These are not arbitrary barriers — they are situations where treatment may be unsafe, ineffective or simply poor value. Suitability is decided at a full assessment, and I decline treatment where it is not clearly in your interest.

14One clinician, and choosing care

Start to finish, one clinician.

I carry out the consultation, scalp assessment, blood draw, preparation and treatment myself, so the process stays clinically connected from beginning to end. That matters for hair loss, because PRP sits between scalp assessment, dermatology, blood collection, regenerative treatment and, very often, medical management. My background spans pharmacy and independent prescribing, an MSc in Cosmetic & Aesthetic Medicine, postgraduate dermatology training and formal phlebotomy training.

Because I can consider the wider medical plan, PRP does not have to be presented as the only answer. I can look at whether the diagnosis fits, whether investigation is needed, whether the scalp needs treating first, whether medication should be considered, whether PRP is likely to add enough value, whether a referral or a transplant conversation is more appropriate — or whether no treatment should begin yet. I would rather tell you that before a course than after you have paid for one.

15The evidence, study by study

A real signal — usually modest, and mixed.

Each card reports what actually happened to patients in a specific study: how many took part, the design and comparator, the preparation and area where reported, the sessions, the exact measure, how much changed, when, how long, satisfaction where measured, adverse events, the limitations, and the plain-English meaning. Cards are kept separate by diagnosis, sex and preparation and are not pooled or transferred. Positive and negative results are shown side by side, because both are true.

Male AGA · split-head RCT

Does PRP beat placebo on the same head?

Participants & design

23 men with androgenetic alopecia; randomised half-head — activated PRP one side, placebo the other (Gentile 2015).

Protocol

Activated PRP (single-spin), 3 sessions at 30-day intervals, injected into the scalp target area.

Endpoint & magnitude

Hair density (computerised trichogram): +45.9 hairs/cm²; about +33 hairs in the target area; ~+36.8 hairs/cm² more on the PRP side vs placebo at 14 weeks (p<0.0001). Histology showed more Ki67 keratinocytes and perifollicular vessels.

Timing / persistence

Measured to ~14 weeks; longer persistence not established here.

Satisfaction

Patient satisfaction surveys used and favourable; exact percentage not reported here.

Adverse events

Transient injection discomfort; no serious adverse events reported.

Limitations

Small (n=23); short follow-up; single technique; split-head cannot capture whole-scalp or systemic effect.

For a patient

In selected early/moderate male AGA, a real density gain over placebo within one course — not proof of lasting whole-head regrowth.

Certainty & reference

RCT, small — moderate–low · [12]

Female pattern hair loss · split-head RCT

Does it work for women?

Participants & design

30 women with female pattern hair loss; randomised half-head — activated PRP vs saline (Tawfik & Osman 2018).

Protocol

Activated PRP, 4 weekly sessions.

Endpoint & magnitude

Hair density (trichoscopy) at 6 months: PRP side +77.28 hairs/cm² vs placebo side +17.81 hairs/cm² — favouring PRP.

Timing / persistence

Assessed 6 months after treatment.

Satisfaction

Reported favourable; exact percentage not reported here.

Adverse events

Mild, transient injection-site effects; no serious adverse events.

Limitations

Small (n=30); single centre; split-head; 6-month horizon; iron/thyroid/hormonal control varies.

For a patient

Women with FPHL and viable follicles can respond — sex-specific evidence, still small.

Certainty & reference

RCT, small — moderate–low · [13]

Male AGA · placebo-controlled RCT (negative)

Does PRP always work? No.

Participants & design

30 men with untreated AGA; randomised, placebo-controlled pilot — 20 PRP, 10 saline (Gressenberger 2020).

Protocol

Intracutaneous PRP, 5 treatments at 4–6-week intervals, plus 2 follow-ups.

Endpoint & result

Hair number & diameter (TrichoScan), blinded 5-point photo rating and satisfaction survey: no improvement on any measure — PRP monotherapy did not improve hair growth.

Satisfaction

Survey collected; no meaningful benefit.

Adverse events

No serious adverse events reported.

Limitations

Pilot; modest n; monotherapy only; preparation/protocol differ from the positive trials.

For a patient

A well-conducted trial found no benefit from PRP alone — a genuine negative that belongs beside the positive results.

Certainty & reference

RCT, small — the key negative signal · [14]

All alopecia · systematic review (best synthesis)

What does the most careful review conclude?

Participants & design

27 controlled trials, 1,117 subjects; PRP vs saline/control (Cruciani 2021, Blood Transfus).

Result

PRP increased hair density versus saline — but the overall evidence was rated low quality, undermined by inconsistency and risk of bias. For alopecia areata it was uncertain whether PRP beat steroid injection.

Adverse events

No serious adverse events attributed to PRP across the trials.

Limitations

Heterogeneous protocols and preparations; low certainty; weak evidence in alopecia areata.

For a patient

There is a real density signal, but the evidence base is weak — modest and not guaranteed.

Certainty & reference

SR/MA — low-quality body of evidence · [1]

AGA · meta-analysis (magnitude)

How much more hair, on average?

Participants & design

14 studies / 431 patients (13 in the meta-analysis); PRP vs placebo (2024 systematic review & meta-analysis).

Endpoint & magnitude

Density: mean difference +27.55 hairs/cm² (95% CI 14.04–41.06; p<0.05). Hair diameter: +2.02 µm (95% CI −0.85–4.88) — not significant.

Limitations

Very high heterogeneity (I²≈96%), low quality, and evident publication bias — the pooled figure is unstable and likely biased upward.

For a patient

Pooled, about 28 more hairs/cm² than placebo — density only, not thickness — but treat the exact number with caution.

Certainty & reference

Meta-analysis — low · [15]

AGA · combination & protocol (meta-analyses)

Does it do better in a plan, and does protocol matter?

Design

Meta-analysis of PRP combined with established topical medical treatment vs either alone (Xiao 2024); and a network meta-analysis of PRP regimens (Gupta 2022).

Result

The combination significantly outperformed either alone for density, diameter and patient satisfaction. Separately, efficacy improved with more sessions and shorter intervals between them.

Numbers not reported here

The pooled participant total and study count for the combination meta-analysis were not captured from the source and are not stated rather than guessed.

Limitations

Pooled and heterogeneous; the combination is confounded by the co-treatment; the protocol effect is associational.

For a patient

PRP tends to perform best alongside established medical treatment and delivered as a proper course — not occasional single sessions.

Certainty & reference

MA / network MA — low–moderate for direction · [5][9]

The reasonable conclusion: for the right patient with androgenetic alopecia, PRP may modestly improve density; it performs best as part of a plan rather than alone; its results depend on a proper course and protocol; and it is not guaranteed — one well-conducted trial found no benefit at all. Alopecia areata is different, and the evidence there is weaker.^[1]^[6] That is precisely how it is presented here. Start with a diagnosis, not a needle.

16Fees

Fees

PRP for hair is normally planned as a course, so the figures below are a guide to the preparation used, not a fixed prescription. What you actually need — if anything — is confirmed in person, after diagnosis. Consultation (£50, or a free focused 20-minute consult) is applied in full toward treatment within six months.

Two-vial scalp treatment£275

Two-vial course of four£750

Three-vial treatment£375

Three-vial course of four£1,050

Any medical treatment considered alongside PRP is a separate prescribing decision, discussed and priced individually. Full fees: fees.

17Questions, answered

PRP for hair — answered.

Does it work, and for whom

Does PRP really work for hair loss?

It can, for selected patients — particularly early or moderate pattern loss with follicles still active. Trials are mixed: several show a modest density gain over placebo, at least one well-conducted trial found no benefit from PRP alone, and the overall evidence is low quality. It works best as part of a plan, not alone.

How much hair can actually come back?

Realistically, a modest improvement in density for responders — pooled studies suggest on the order of tens of extra hairs per cm², density rather than thickness, and the figures are unstable. The first sign is often simply less shedding. It is improvement, not full restoration.

Does it work for women, after pregnancy, or after menopause?

It can in female pattern hair loss where follicles remain viable, once iron, thyroid and hormonal causes are considered — a randomised study in women found greater density on the PRP side at six months. Post-partum shedding usually recovers on its own, so it should not be treated automatically. After menopause, suitability depends on the diagnosis and scalp, not age alone.

Can PRP regrow hair on a completely bald scalp?

Unlikely where follicles have been absent for a long time. PRP supports follicles that remain; it does not manufacture new ones. In longstanding bald areas a transplant is usually more relevant, and the crown often responds better than a significantly receded hairline.

Is it a stem-cell treatment?

No. PRP is a concentrate of your own platelets and the growth factors they carry. It is not a stem-cell treatment and should not be described as one.

Results, timing & maintenance

When should photographs be compared, and can shedding get worse first?

Compare standardised photographs at baseline and at 3–6 months — daily mirror-checking misleads. Some people notice a little more shedding early as the hair cycle shifts; this is not a sign of failure, and judgement waits for the course to play out.

How long does benefit last, and is maintenance necessary?

Any benefit may gradually reduce, especially if the underlying process stays active — long-term durability beyond several months is not well established. If the first course worked, maintenance is often discussed at 6–12-month intervals; it is earned by the result, not assumed.

Do I usually need medication as well, and can I refuse it?

For progressive pattern loss, established medical treatment is commonly part of the discussion because it manages the ongoing process while PRP adds local support; the combination outperforms either alone in some studies. Any prescribing decision is made individually after assessment, never chosen from a website. You can decline it and still consider PRP, understanding the result may be smaller or less durable.

Can it be combined with other pathways?

Yes — PRP is often one part of a plan alongside treating the cause (iron, thyroid, nutrition), established medical treatment, and sometimes around a hair transplant coordinated with the surgeon. What combination suits you depends on the diagnosis.

Practicalities & safety

Does it hurt, and do I need to shave?

There is a blood draw and several fine scalp injections; topical anaesthetic and comfort measures help but do not remove all sensation. No shaving is needed — the hair is sectioned, and long or curly hair is fine.

Can I wash, exercise or colour my hair afterwards?

Usually you can return to ordinary activities the same day. Strenuous exercise, saunas, swimming, vigorous massage and colouring are postponed briefly, with written guidance matched to your scalp; arrive with a clean scalp and no heavy products.

Why do some people not respond?

Response varies genuinely between people — the diagnosis, the stage of loss, how many viable follicles remain, protocol and individual biology all matter. A well-conducted trial found no benefit from PRP alone, so a true non-response is possible; we judge it honestly at review rather than simply selling more sessions.

What if PRP is not right for me?

I will explain why. The next step may be medical treatment, investigation, scalp treatment, monitoring, a dermatology referral or a conversation about hair transplantation. A useful consultation does not have to end with an injection.

18References

References & sources

Primary randomised trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and mechanism/consensus sources, labelled by type. PRP preparation and protocol vary between studies, so results are presented per study and not transferred between protocols. Access date 23 July 2026.

Systematic review (27 trials / 1,117; low-quality evidence): Cruciani M, et al. Platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Blood Transfus. 2021. doi.org/10.2450/2021.0216-21.
Meta-analysis (density vs control): Giordano S, et al. Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: does it work? Evidence from meta-analysis. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017. doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12331.
Systematic review (9 RCTs): Zhang X, et al. Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Cutan Med Surg. 2023. doi.org/10.1177/12034754231191461.
Overview — AGA density signal: see refs 1, 3 & 15 (pooled randomised evidence of a modest density gain over placebo).
Meta-analysis (PRP + topical medical treatment vs either alone): Xiao C, et al. Meta-analysis of efficacy of platelet-rich plasma combined with minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2024. doi.org/10.1007/s00266-024-04054-6.
Alopecia areata review: Zhou C, et al. Alopecia areata: an update on etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2021. doi.org/10.1007/s12016-021-08883-0.
Male pattern loss treatment review: York K, et al. A review of the treatment of male pattern hair loss. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2020. doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2020.1721463.
Progressive nature / earlier treatment: see ref 7 (pattern loss is progressive; earlier management achieves the better outcome).
Network meta-analysis (protocol: sessions & intervals): Gupta AK, Bamimore M. Platelet-rich plasma monotherapies for androgenetic alopecia: a network meta-analysis and meta-regression study. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022. doi.org/10.36849/JDD.6948.
Mechanism review (plausibility): Paichitrojjana A, Paichitrojjana A. Platelet-rich plasma and its use in hair regrowth: a review. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2022. doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S356858.
RCT, male AGA, split-head (n=23): Gentile P, et al. The effect of platelet-rich plasma in hair regrowth: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2015;4:1317–1323. doi.org/10.5966/sctm.2015-0107.
RCT, female pattern hair loss, split-head (n=30): Tawfik AA, Osman MAR. The effect of autologous activated platelet-rich plasma injection on female pattern hair loss: a randomized placebo-controlled study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17:47–53. doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12357.
RCT, male AGA, placebo-controlled (negative; n=30): Gressenberger P, et al. Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia treatment: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. Acta Derm Venereol. 2020;100:adv00247. doi.org/10.2340/00015555-3609.
Meta-analysis (14 studies / 431; +27.55 hairs/cm², publication bias): Is autologous platelet-rich plasma capable of increasing hair density in patients with androgenic alopecia? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39013743/.

This page is general information about a medical procedure, not individual medical advice or an inducement to treatment. Evidence for PRP in hair loss is evolving and of variable quality; suitability and outcomes vary between people and are established only after a face-to-face assessment.

Written and clinically reviewed by

Piotr Wojtowicz

MPharm · Pharmacist Independent Prescriber · MSc Cosmetic & Aesthetic Medicine · PGDip Dermatology in Clinical Practice

odNOVA Aesthetics · Brighton & Hove · By appointment
Last reviewed: 26 July 2026 · About the author · Book a consultation · Contact the clinic

Diagnosis first

Start with the diagnosis.

If you are worried about your hair, the first task is to establish what is happening and why. The consultation assesses the pattern, examines the scalp, considers the possible causes and explains honestly whether PRP is likely to add meaningful value — or whether medical treatment, investigation, referral or simply waiting would serve you better.

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