PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Hair treatment

Platelet-Rich Plasma is a non-surgical treatment for hair loss which stimulates new growth. Here we explain how PRP hair treatment works and how effective it is

What is PRP Hair Treatment?

PRP (platelet rich plasma) is a non-surgical treatment for hair loss in which the scalp is injected with a client’s own platelets as obtained from a blood sample.

PRP contains a range of growth factors and proteins, with this helping to accelerate the body’s healing process, with the concentrated platelets thought to stimulate new hair growth.

Though PRP has been used for things like muscle injuries and skin restoration, PRP for hair loss is a relatively new treatment.

This is a clinically proven treatment with several studies showing PRP injections reduced hair loss, increased the diameter of the hair and improved overall growth density.

While the results of PRP on hair thinning will vary from patient to patient, the process itself is very safe and reliable.

How Does a PRP Treatment Work for Hair Loss?

In order to understand how a PRP hair treatment (or PRP therapy, as it’s sometimes known) works, you need to know that your blood is made up of three different components: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Platelets are small, disc-shaped cell fragments which float in your blood. They are responsible for promoting healing: when you are wounded, for example, the platelets in your blood will gather together at the site of the injury and plug the wound, which prevents excess blood from leaving the body (this process is known as ‘clotting’).

During a PRP treatment, a surgeon will extract a blood sample from the patient’s arm and place it in a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge then spins rapidly for roughly ten minutes, which separates out the different elements of the blood, creating three distinct solutions: red blood cells, platelet-poor plasma, and platelet-rich plasma.

The platelet-rich plasma contains approximately five times the number of platelets as a normal sample of blood. As platelets encourage healing, this solution will rejuvenate and heal the skin at the site where it is injected.

Therefore, the surgeon will collect the platelet-rich plasma in a syringe and inject it into multiple areas across the scalp. This will flood the hair follicles with healthy nutrients and oxygen, encourage damaged follicles to heal, and, ultimately, stimulate the growth of strong, new hair.

How Effective is PRP Treatment for Hair Loss?

PRP is thought to be more effective on areas of the scalp which are not yet entirely bald as this increases the chances of hair follicles being able to be repaired.

How Long Does a PRP Hair Treatment Take to Work?

The time that it takes for a PRP hair treatment to produce results will vary from person to person, as it depends on a variety of factors (such as the extent of the patient’s hair loss, or the attention that the patient pays to post-procedural instructions). Nevertheless, the timeline below outlines the average time that it takes for the effects of the treatment to become noticeable:

Day 1: The First Session

Patients should not expect to see any noticeable growth after their very first PRP hair treatment – so don’t panic if you still experience thinning or hair loss in the weeks that follow your first session. PRP therapy is a long-term investment, not a ‘quick fix’, and it takes time for the platelet-rich plasma to rejuvenate the skin cells of the scalp and produce thicker hair.

5 Weeks Later: The Second Session

The second session will take place after roughly 4 to 6 weeks have passed since the first. Patients must continue to be patient, as there will not be any visible growth just yet.

10 Weeks Later: The Third Session

After another 4 to 6 weeks have passed, it is time for the third round of PRP injections. Some patients will notice very minimal growth at this time, but it is uncommon.

3 Months Later:

Once 3 months have passed since your first PRP hair treatment, you may notice new hair sprouting in the scalp. The existing hair will also begin to appear thicker and darker at this time.

6 Months Later:

After 6 months since your first session, the final results of the treatment will be fully visible. New hair will have covered the balding areas of the head, and your existing hair will have grown longer and stronger. These results will last for roughly 2 years, though you can maintain your new hair for longer by arranging regular ‘top-up’ PRP treatments.

Who is PRP Suitable for?

A majority of individuals are eligible for PRP for hair loss, however you may be advised against the process if you fall into one of the following categories:

How Much Does PRP for Hair Loss Treatment Cost?

Generally PRP requires three treatment sessions, with each session 4-6 weeks apart and top up appointments advised for every 6 months to help sustain new growth. Generally PRP is deemed a cosmetic procedure and is therefore not covered by insurance plans, however you should always double check this in case. At Aventus Clinic the price of PRP starts at £300 per treatment. We want to ensure our clients receive the best possible value without compromising on quality.

PRP Hair Treatment Before and After Photos

If you’re interested in exploring PRP treatments in more detail get in touch with us today to book a consultation.

From this we will be able to assess your suitability for PRP or recommend on the best alternatives for you.

Common PRP Questions

How many PRP sessions will I need?

The number of separate PRP appointments that a patient requires depends on a variety of factors (such as the extent of the hair loss that they are experiencing), and so different patients will require a different course of sessions. Nevertheless, the average patient requires three separate appointments of PRP therapy, which occur at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks.

What are the side effects of a PRP for hair loss treatment?

PRP therapy boosts hair growth without the use of chemicals or medicines. Instead, the treatment works by injecting a patient’s own blood into the scalp, which means that the risk of an adverse reaction is very low. However, any form of injection may cause some swelling, redness and bruising at the injection site, though these symptoms will subside within 3 to 5 days.

What should I avoid doing after a PRP for hair loss treatment?

Your surgeon will provide you with a full list of aftercare instructions following your PRP hair treatment. For example, you will be advised to avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, swimming and direct sun exposure for two days after the procedure, whilst anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen or aspirin) should be avoided for three days. Crucially, patients must refrain from drinking, smoking or taking blood thinning agents (such as Cod Liver Oil, Vitamins E and A, or Essential Fatty Acids) for one week after the treatment, as the body is healing at this time.

How long-lasting are the results of this treatment?

The effects of a PRP hair treatment will last for approximately 12 months. However, the lifespan of your new hair will ultimately depend on how closely you follow the aftercare instructions that are given to you by your surgeon (some of which are listed above).

What is the success rate of PRP hair treatments?

There have been many studies which have shown that PRP therapy is an effective treatment for hair loss. However, the sample sizes of these experiments are often quite small, which throws the reliability of their findings into question.

A 2015 study, for example, investigated the effectiveness of this hair treatment by administering PRP injections on 10 participants every 2 to 3 weeks for 3 months. After the 3 months, all 10 of the participants demonstrated a clinical improvement in the number of hairs that could be counted on their scalps. The roots of the hair were also found to be stronger, and the thickness of the hairs had increased.

A more recent study (undertaken in 2019) explored the impact of PRP injections on the hair growth of 20 participants. These participants were compared against a control group (which also consisted of 20 people), who were using the hair-growth medication Minoxidil instead. After 6 months, the experiment found that the participants in the group receiving PRP injections experienced more hair growth than the group that was using Minoxidil.

Ultimately, the research so far suggests that PRP hair treatments are effective at stimulating the growth of new hair (whilst also thickening existing hair). However, more studies need to be undertaken - and larger sample sizes need to be used - for this to be conclusive.