PRP might seem like a new solution for hair loss, but doctors have used platelet-rich plasma therapy to heal wounds and injuries for decades.
The treatment works in three steps and uses your own blood to stimulate hair growth. Research points to promising outcomes, helping to increase hair thickness, protect follicles from early shedding, and enhance overall hair density.
Let’s examine how PRP works for hair loss and the science behind its effectiveness. This will help you decide if PRP matches your hair restoration goals.
Understanding PRP Hair Treatment Science
The science behind PRP hair treatment starts with understanding what makes this therapy work for hair loss. The basic idea is to control the body’s natural healing mechanisms that stimulate dormant hair follicles.
What Exactly is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma is your blood that contains substantially higher levels of platelets than normal circulation. These tiny blood cell fragments help clotting and are vital to tissue repair and regeneration.
The PRP Hair Restoration Procedure
The PRP hair restoration process takes just 30 to 60 minutes. It needs minimal prep work and recovery time, making it a popular choice for people looking to regrow their hair.
Blood Collection and Processing Steps
A medical services provider draws a small amount of blood from your arm—about 10 to 60 milliliters (two to four tablespoons). The process feels just like a regular blood test.
The blood sample goes into a centrifuge machine that spins faster to separate different components based on their density. After about 10 minutes of spinning, your blood forms three distinct layers:
- Platelet-poor plasma (top layer)
- Platelet-rich plasma (middle layer)
- Red blood cells (bottom layer)
Your provider carefully extracts the middle layer—a golden-colored platelet-rich plasma. This concentrated solution has up to eight times more platelets than regular blood. These platelets pack growth factors that play a significant role in stimulating hair follicles.
Injection Techniques for Scalp Treatment
The provider cleans your scalp and might apply a numbing cream to keep you comfortable. Your provider uses fine needles to inject the PRP directly into spots where your hair is thinning, usually the crown, temples, and front hairline.
You’ll get between 10 to 30 injections spaced a few millimeters apart, depending on the treatment area. Most people feel mild pressure or slight pinching instead of pain. Some providers gently massage your scalp after the injections to spread the PRP evenly.
Typical Treatment Timeline and Frequency
PRP hair treatments work best with a regular schedule. While different providers might vary their approach, you’ll typically start with a series of treatments followed by maintenance sessions.
The plan usually starts with three treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. This helps kick-start hair regrowth and follicle stimulation.
You’ll need maintenance sessions every 4 to 12 months to keep up the results. These follow-up treatments help maintain and boost what you achieved in the first phase.
Results vary between patients, but you should notice improvements within two to three months after starting treatment. The full effects take 6 to 12 months to show up. During this time, your hair becomes thicker, stronger, and denser.
Patience plays a key role in PRP hair treatments. The growth factors start working immediately, but visible results develop gradually as your hair follicles respond to the treatment.
Success Rates in Male vs. Female Pattern Hair Loss
Studies show both men and women can benefit from PRP treatments—just in different ways. A meta-analysis revealed men got thicker hair that was also denser, while women’s hair got thicker but wasn’t much denser.
PRP treatment works 70-80% of the time for male pattern baldness, based on clinical observations. Women might actually do better with PRP, based on a big review of 42 studies that looked at 1,569 patients (776 were women). This research showed that PRP worked well for women’s pattern hair loss compared to the control group.
Another key study looked at 56 patients with androgenetic alopecia who went through PRP treatment. The results looked promising, with 64% of patients saying their hair was thicker while 57% saw new growth. Doctors confirmed these results, noting 68% of patients had new hair growth and 46% showed thicker hair overall.
Both men and women reported high rates of patient satisfaction.
Who Makes an Ideal Candidate?
Finding the right candidates for PRP hair treatment helps predict the best possible outcomes. Your specific hair loss condition, overall health, and timing of therapy all play vital roles in the success rate.
PRP therapy works well for androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness). This condition affects up to 80% of white men and 40% of women. Clinical studies show patients often get better hair density and thickness after treatment. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune-related condition that causes patchy baldness, can also benefit from PRP’s anti-inflammatory effects. In fact, research suggests PRP might work better than standard treatments for this condition.
Your natural platelet count matters as well. People with higher platelet levels usually get better results because more growth factors reach their hair follicles.
However, note that realistic expectations are key—PRP works best to thicken your existing hair rather than regrow completely lost hair.
When PRP Might Not Work
PRP might not help everyone with hair loss. People with large areas of permanent hair loss might not see much improvement. The treatment doesn’t work well on completely bald spots because active hair follicles are needed to stimulate them.
Medical Conditions That May Affect Results
Your overall health has a significant effect on the overall effectiveness of PRP. Good candidates should not have blood clotting disorders or conditions that affect platelet function. You should avoid this treatment if you have active skin conditions, skin cancer (especially bone- or blood-related), anemia, or certain systemic diseases, such as an autoimmune disorder. Patients who smoke, use blood thinners, or have taken NSAIDs in the 48 hours leading up to treatment might not be suitable candidates, either.
Age and Hair Loss Progression Factors
Treatment timing is a vital part of getting good outcomes. People with recent or early-stage hair loss respond better than those who’ve been dealing with baldness for years. Completely bald areas won’t benefit from PRP because the treatment needs active follicles to work. Younger patients (usually under 40) tend to see better results due to their follicular health and growth potential. Older patients can still benefit if they have enough remaining hair follicles.
Ask the Beauty Vault in West Hollywood About PRP Hair Restoration Treatments
Nothing boosts self-confidence like a head of great hair, and the Beauty Vault team in West Hollywood wants you to have it. They’re prepared to answer any questions or concerns you might have about what to expect and whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure. Schedule a consultation today by calling (323) 800-6770 or filling out a contact form.
FAQs
Q1. How effective is PRP for treating hair loss? PRP has shown promising results for hair loss treatment, particularly for androgenetic alopecia. Clinical studies report significant improvements in hair density and thickness in many patients, with success rates ranging from 70-80%. However, individual results may vary depending on factors such as the severity of hair loss and overall health.
Q2. Are there any side effects associated with PRP hair treatment? Most side effects of PRP hair treatment are mild and temporary. Common reactions include scalp tenderness, mild swelling, and slight discomfort at injection sites. These typically resolve within hours to days. Serious complications are rare, but it’s important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider before undergoing treatment.
Q3. Who is an ideal candidate for PRP hair restoration? Ideal candidates for PRP hair treatment are typically those experiencing early-stage hair loss or thinning, particularly due to androgenetic alopecia. The treatment tends to be more effective for younger patients (under 40) with active hair follicles. However, older individuals can still benefit if they have sufficient remaining hair follicles.
Q4. Can PRP regrow hair on completely bald areas? PRP is generally not effective for regrowing hair on completely bald areas. The treatment works best for thickening existing hair and stimulating growth in areas with thinning hair. Active hair follicles are necessary for PRP to be effective, so areas without any hair growth are unlikely to respond to the treatment.
