The short answer
It supports what you still have
In androgenetic hair loss, follicles do not disappear suddenly. They miniaturise — producing progressively finer, shorter, weaker hairs over years. PRP delivers concentrated growth factors into the scalp to support those follicles while they are still viable.
Book a scalp assessmentMechanism
What the injection is doing
A small amount of blood is drawn and processed to concentrate the platelet fraction. Platelets carry growth factors that influence the hair cycle — including signalling that helps push follicles from the resting phase back into active growth and supports the small blood vessels feeding them.
It is your own blood, so there is no drug to tolerate and no daily routine to maintain, which is a large part of the appeal for people who cannot or would rather not take oral medication.
The evidence
What the research actually shows
PRP for androgenetic alopecia has a genuine evidence base — better than most non-pharmaceutical options marketed for hair.
- Most randomised trials, and the systematic reviews pooling them, show increased hair density and shaft thickness compared with placebo.
- Differences reach statistical significance most consistently at three and six months.
- It works alongside minoxidil and oral therapies rather than replacing them, and is also used to support hair transplant results.
- Reviews consistently identify variability in preparation as the main reason outcomes differ between studies.
Variability
Why one clinic's PRP is not another's
This is the part patients are almost never told. PRP is not a standardised product — it is a family of preparations, and the differences change results.
| Variable | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Spin protocol | Comparative work favours double-spin preparation over single-spin for hair |
| Activation | Activated PRP has outperformed non-activated in comparative studies, with fewer adverse effects |
| Platelet concentration | Too low may do nothing; concentration differs widely between systems |
| Injection technique | Depth, spacing and coverage across the thinning area all vary by operator |
When you are comparing providers, these are better questions than price.
Before you treat
Find out why you are losing hair first
Not all hair loss is genetic, and the treatable causes are common. Injecting a scalp while ignoring a thyroid problem wastes both the treatment and the money.
- Low ferritin — one of the most common reversible causes of shedding, particularly in menstruating women, and frequently missed because standard iron studies can look normal
- Thyroid dysfunction — both underactive and overactive thyroid cause hair loss, and a single TSH is not a complete assessment
- Hormonal change — perimenopause, post-partum shifts and androgen changes all affect the hair cycle
- Rapid weight loss — including on GLP-1 medication, where shedding is common and manageable if someone is watching for it
- Vitamin D deficiency and inadequate protein intake
Candidates
Who it suits, and who it does not
- Good fit: early-to-moderate thinning with living follicles — crown and mid-scalp in men, widening part in women
- Good fit: increased shedding after pregnancy, illness, stress or rapid weight loss
- Good fit: people supporting a hair transplant result, or who cannot tolerate daily medication
- Poor fit: areas that are completely bare — grafting, not PRP, is what puts hair there
- Poor fit: anyone expecting visible regrowth within a few weeks
Practicalities
What a course looks like
Assessment and bloodwork
Examine the pattern of loss and test for thyroid, iron and hormonal causes before assuming it is genetic.
Draw and preparation
A small blood draw in the office, processed to concentrate the platelet fraction.
Scalp injection
A series of small injections across the thinning areas, with topical numbing. Most patients find it very tolerable.
The series
Sessions spaced over several months rather than a one-off. You should be told the expected schedule before you begin.
Review and maintenance
Density is reassessed before planning maintenance treatment.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PRP sessions do I need for hair?
A series over several months, followed by maintenance. Anyone quoting a single session as a complete treatment is not describing how the trials were run.
When will I see results?
Improvement is usually measured first as reduced shedding, then as increased density over months. Trials report significant differences at three and six months, not weeks.
Does PRP work for women?
Yes. Female pattern thinning is common and frequently dismissed. It is treated here with the same seriousness as male pattern loss, and the underlying hormonal and iron causes are often more relevant in women.
Will PRP regrow hair on a bald area?
No. PRP supports follicles that are still viable. A completely bare scalp needs grafting, and we will tell you that rather than sell you a course that will not work.
Can I combine PRP with minoxidil or finasteride?
Yes — PRP is commonly used alongside them rather than instead of them, and combination approaches are typical in practice.
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