Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP is not a cure for hair loss, but it is a temporary solution that is thought to work by the action of concentrated growth-activating factors injected directly into the scalp. It is believed that these growth factors support a weakening follicle’s ability to grow hair, improving hair shaft thickness, stimulating dormant (resting) hair follicles, helping to prolong the growth phase and improving the blood supply to the follicles. PRP treatments involve a three-step process where the patient’s own blood is drawn, processed in a centrifuge, and then injected into the scalp in multiple regions of the area to be treated. Different clinics use different treatment protocols, devices, and topical adjuvant treatments. PRP requires an initial series of 4 to 6 treatments followed by maintenance treatments every six months. Although it is marketed as having a lower cost than hair transplants, the need for continued maintenance treatments can easily surpass the price of a hair transplant.

PRP seems to work best for a very small subset of patients. It works for female patients and young men who still have quite a bit of hair and are just starting to show signs of hair loss. It is not for those with advanced stages of hair loss. When you are at the point of seeing pattern hair loss and considering surgery, PRP is not going to do much for you. It may be effective in hair loss that is autoimmune-mediated. And it works best to enhance other hair loss treatments.

Injection and activation in the scalp can be painful and lead to an inflammatory response that may include swelling, redness, and bruising. This treatment can risk injury to blood vessels and nerves. Repeated injections also lead to the development of scar tissue. PRP has been used since the 1980s for the treatment of orthopedic injuries, but there needs to be more data to prove it is very effective for the treatment of hair loss. Although there is limited clinical proof of its effectiveness, many believe it is a safe and effective way to maintain hair growth. The research on PRP as a treatment for hair loss is based on small sample sizes that may not be generalizable to a larger scale.