PRP, which stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma, is a medical procedure which uses a patient’s own blood as a regenerative treatment. Sounds a bit like Halloween has come early we know, but it’s existed for a while to treat damaged tissues and wounds to promote healing. And now it's being used as a treatment for male pattern baldness too.
In this blog, we’ll outline what PRP is, how helpful it is as a hair loss treatment, plus other factors you might want to keep in mind if you’re considering it as a treatment.
How does PRP work?
Platelets are small fragments in the blood which clump together to form a clot when we’re wounded to stop bleeding (plus they help heal the wound). Platelets are rich in growth factors, so they’re thought to stimulate hair follicles by getting the ball rolling on a crucial process called cell proliferation, which is basically the rapid division of cells needed to grow new hairs. Through stimulating the hair follicle cells, platelets are thought to help maintain anagen - the growth phase of the hair cycle.
If you visit a clinic to have a session of PRP, this is how the procedure will typically go:
Step 1
You’ll have a small amount of blood drawn from your arm.
Step 2
The blood sample is spun in a centrifuge, which separates the platelets from the red blood cells.
Step 3
The platelet-rich plasma will be injected into the areas of your scalp where you’re experiencing hair loss.
Is PRP effective for hair loss?
Yes, the clinical research on PRP shows it’s a promising treatment for hair loss.
· A 2020 study found a significant increase in hair density after three months of PRP treatments.
· A 2021 study showed three sessions, one month apart, improved hair count, density, and diameter.
· A 2022 study found improvements in hair pull tests, hair count and terminal hair count/density. However, PRP was combined with microneedling every 2 weeks in the study.
While the above trials found positive results, the methods and frequency of sessions were not standardized. This can lead to inconsistent results, as other studies found no improvements between groups receiving PRP treatment and placebo groups. Again, this could be down to differences in PRP preparation and administration.
How many sessions will you need?
This is where it gets tricky – there’s no official consensus on how many sessions are needed to achieve results. This 2025 review of PRP as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) pointed out that PRP procedures differ quite a bit in both frequency and methodology, which can make clinical results unreliable.
How the blood sample is prepared is vital, because the final amount of platelets in the sample seems to make a big difference to the results that can be achieved. For example, how much blood is collected, how long it is spun for in the centrifuge, plus natural discrepancies in platelet count all influence how successful the treatment is likely to be. Not to mention how often the procedure should be performed - some clinics recommend three sessions over 6 months, while others might advise up to 6 sessions. Then, follow-up sessions, with a PRP session once every 6 months, are typically recommended.
Can you use PRP with other treatments?
Yes, PRP can be done alongside other hair loss treatments.
Finasteride tablets and Minoxidil Spray are licensed as treatments for male pattern baldness, both clinically proven to be effective at stopping hair loss. PRP could potentially boost results, but there’s limited clinical research explicitly looking into combination treatments, so it’s hard to say for certain.
One study did look into this with three groups: one used PRP alone, another topical 5% minoxidil, and the third a combination of the two. The group receiving both treatments had the best results and reported the most satisfaction.
Also, microneedling has been shown in studies to be beneficial for promoting hair growth, especially when used with Minoxidil Spray. Based on existing research, microneedling also seems to be beneficial alongside PRP. Microneedling can be done at home with a hand-held tool like a derma roller or a derma pen, but it can also be performed in a clinic with longer needles.
Does PRP have any side effects?
Generally, PRP is considered safe and comes with mild side effects. Typically, patients might experience redness, swelling, pain and/or irritation. Plus, it’s not suitable for everybody. Smokers, people on certain medications, or anyone with certain health conditions, might be rejected from receiving treatment.
How long do results from PRP last?
It’s hard to say, as there’s not much clinical research looking into the lasting effects of PRP for hair loss with long-term follow-ups. A 2014 study on 20 people found that PRP treatment caused improvements in hair density after three months, but hair density started to decrease 6 months after treatment. This is why most clinics recommend at least one session every 6 months to maintain results.
Ongoing treatment is required to stop hair loss, so we recommend finding a treatment which works for you, which you can use consistently. If you need help finding a treatment, we offer a free consultation which recommends plans based on your stage of hair loss, preferences and medical profile.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
