Platelet Rich Plasma
Get essential information about platelet rich plasma for hair loss.
The Science
What Is PRP?
Platelet Rich Plasma therapy involves drawing a small amount of blood from your body. This blood is then placed in a centrifuge to separate your blood into different layers.
One of the layers will contain a high level of platelets. This blood is then injected into your scalp.
PRP is usually performed once per month for 3 months. After this point, maintenance sessions can take place every 3 to 6 months.
How Does PRP Work?
PRP injections seem to generate an increase in growth factors by triggering biological mechanisms.
Hair follicles are encouraged to switch to their growth (anagen) phase. New blood vessels are formed which increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the injected area.
PRP Results
PRP is a hair loss solution that has rapidly emerged, with a number of studies performed on recent years.
- PRP injections were found to increase hair density for men with androgenetic alopecia.(1)
- An analysis of 12 studies investigating PRP for hair loss found that most of the studies showed an improvement in hair density and thickness.(2)
- A comparison of treatments for male pattern baldness found PRP to be the most effective treatment ahead of finasteride and minoxidil.(3)
- 57% of women suffering from androgenetic alopecia had improved hair appearance after 3 PRP injections.(4)
- PRP produced an average increase of 36.84 hairs/cm2 when the results of several studies were combined.(5)
- Hair density in men was increased by 19.17% at 6 months follow up after 3 PRP injections.(6)
Researchers also found that an increased frequency of PRP injections seems to lead to more hair growth.
Weight Of Science
A wave of studies have investigated PRP for hair loss since around 2014. While results seem positive, it is still a new treatment.
More research is needed to give a good overview of the best treatment regimes and any adverse impacts that may develop in the long term.
Side Effects
As PRP injections take blood from your own body, the risk of infection or an allergic reaction should be minimal. Any persistent issues should be reported to the Dr who performed the procedure.
The side effects usually linked to PRP are normally minor.
Localised Pain
The injections into the scalp can cause pain during and after treatment. Mild headaches have also been reported.
Bruising
Scalp tenderness and bruising may develop soon after the PRP injections. They usually resolve quickly in a matter of days.
What Does It Cost?
Prices start from around £400/$400 for each PRP hair loss injection. Most research has focused on using at least 3 injections to obtain positive results.
Private clinics can be found online. As always, be mindful of the Dr’s experience and reviews before booking a consultation. As PRP is a new hair loss treatment, it’s imperative to avoid using a clinic with little to no experience.
Unless you are a medical professional NEVER be tempted to attempt PRP at home. Drawing blood and then reinjecting plasma into your body is not for a novice to try. Your health is more important than saving money!
What Are The Main Alternatives To PRP?
Synthetic chemical treatments that could encourage hair growth include finasteride and minoxidil. Both can have undesirable side effects and must be used daily on a continuous basis for them to work.
Hair transplants require surgery but have the advantage of being an effective ‘cure’ for bald areas of the head.
Similarly, scalp micropigmentation can permanently cover hair loss but is only of use if you want a ‘shaven head’ look for the rest of your life.
Our full list of proven, effective hair loss treatments can be found here.
References
(2) https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/477671
(3) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jdv.15081
(4) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190962220321642
(5) https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/12/3/342
(6) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1578219020302031