Hair Loss Beyond Finasteride: PRP Therapy Explained
PRP therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is a non-surgical treatment for hair loss that uses your own blood to stimulate hair follicles. It’s especially effective for early thinning and works by boosting blood flow and growth signals in the scalp. Results typically appear within 3–6 months after treatment.
Hair loss affects millions of people in the UK and worldwide. For many, it’s not just about looks;, it can also make them feel sad, worried, or less confident.
For a long time, one of the most common treatments for male hair loss has been a medication called finasteride. This medicine helps by lowering a hormone called DHT, which can cause hair to thin and fall out. Finasteride can slow down hair loss and sometimes help new hair grow.
However, finasteride may not work for everyone. Some people experience side effects, and you may need to continue taking it for an extended period to see results. As a result, an increasing number of people are seeking alternative methods to address hair loss, particularly treatments that harness the body's natural healing capabilities.
One new and exciting treatment is called Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. Doctors first used PRP to help athletes recover more quickly from injuries. Now, it’s also being used in skin and hair clinics to help with hair loss.
But what is PRP? How does it work? And can it help if other treatments like finasteride don’t?
In this article, we’ll explain PRP therapy in simple terms. We’ll look at where it came from, how it works, what the science says, and how it compares to other hair loss treatments. Whether you’re thinking about trying PRP by itself or along with other treatments, this guide will help you understand your options and make the best choice for you.
Why Hair Loss Happens and Why Finasteride May Not Be Enough
Before discussing how PRP therapy helps with hair loss, it's essential to understand why hair loss occurs, particularly a common type known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA). This type of hair loss affects both men and women.
AGA is something you can inherit from your family. It's caused by a hormone called DHT (short for dihydrotestosterone). In people with AGA, DHT attaches to the hair follicles, causing them to shrink over time. This process is called miniaturisation. As the follicles get smaller, the hair they grow becomes thinner, shorter, and weaker. Eventually, the hair stops growing altogether.
In men, AGA typically presents as a receding hairline or a bald spot on the top of the head. In women, it often presents as thinning hair throughout the scalp.
One treatment for AGA is a medicine called finasteride. It works by preventing the body from producing excessive DHT. This can help slow down hair loss and sometimes bring back some hair. But it doesn’t always work, especially for women. And it can cause side effects in some people, like lower interest in sex, mood changes, or trouble with erections.
Additionally, if someone stops taking finasteride, their hair loss typically resumes. Some people even continue to lose hair while still using it. This may be due to poor blood flow to the scalp, inflammation, stress, a poor diet, or health issues such as alopecia areata, which is caused by the immune system.
Because of this, more people are looking for other ways to treat hair loss. Some of these options include minoxidil (available in lotion or foam form), laser therapy, microneedling, and improving one's nutrition. But one treatment that's getting a lot of attention is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy.
What Is PRP Therapy and How Does It Work for Hair Loss?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a regenerative treatment that utilizes the body's natural healing mechanisms to promote tissue repair and rejuvenation. Initially developed for use in sports medicine and orthopaedics to accelerate recovery in injured joints, tendons, and ligaments, it has since gained traction in dermatology and aesthetic medicine, particularly for hair restoration and rejuvenation.
PRP is derived from your blood. A small sample is drawn, typically from your arm, and then placed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins at high speeds to separate the various blood components. This process isolates a concentrated layer of plasma rich in platelet-tiny cell fragments, which play a critical role in wound healing and tissue regeneration.
What makes platelets so valuable is their content of growth factors, proteins that signal the body to repair and regenerate tissue. These include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), among others. When injected into the scalp, these growth factors are believed to stimulate dormant or weakened hair follicles, prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, and improve blood supply to the follicular units.
There are different kinds of PRP treatments. Some clinics spin your blood once to get the platelets, while others spin it twice to get even more of the helpful parts. There are also newer types called PRF and PRFM. These use a soft, sticky material called fibrin that holds the growth factors longer, so they can help your hair grow for a bit more time.
Unlike synthetic medications, PRP is autologous, meaning it comes from your own body, which significantly reduces the risk of allergic reactions or adverse effects. But how well the treatment works can depend on a few things—like how many platelets are in the PRP, how the doctor does the treatment, and how much hair you've already lost or why you're losing it.
Step-by-Step: How PRP Therapy Is Done
PRP therapy might sound tricky, but it's actually pretty simple. It's a treatment based on science that uses your own blood to help your hair grow. There are three main steps: first, a small amount of blood is taken from your arm. Then, the blood is spun in a machine to separate the useful parts. Finally, the part with the helpful cells is injected into your scalp where your hair is thinning.
1. Taking Your Blood
First, a nurse or doctor takes a small amount of your blood—about one or two teaspoons. This is just like getting a blood test at the doctor’s office.
2. Spinning the Blood
Next, the blood is processed in a machine called a centrifuge. This machine spins the blood extremely fast, which separates it into its different components. The goal is to collect the part of the blood that has the most platelets. Platelets are tiny cells that help with healing and repair.
There are two ways to spin the blood:
- Single-spin: Faster but gives fewer platelets.
- Double-spin: Slower, but gives more platelets and better results.
Doctors usually prefer the double-spin method because it yields a stronger PRP, which may be more effective for hair growth.
3. Injecting the PRP
Once the PRP is ready, it gets injected into the parts of your scalp where your hair is thinning. This procedure is performed using a tiny needle, and it typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. Some people feel a little pain, but numbing cream can help make it more comfortable.
The PRP is full of growth factors, which are natural substances in your blood that help cells grow and heal. These growth factors help your hair in several ways:
- They increase blood flow to your hair roots.
- They keep your hair in the growing phase for longer.
- They wake up “sleeping” hair follicles so they can grow again.
- They calm down inflammation that may be harming your hair.
A review found that individuals who received PRP treatment had thicker, fuller hair than those who didn't receive any treatment.
Scientists also believe PRP helps hair by protecting the hair cells from dying too early and by activating stem cells, which are essential for healthy hair growth.
When Do You See Results?
PRP starts working inside your scalp just a few days after treatment, but you won't see results right away. Most people start noticing better hair after a few weeks or months. The best results typically appear around 3 to 6 months after starting treatment.
One study showed that people who received three PRP treatments, one per month, experienced significant improvement and were satisfied with the results, even six months later.
Does PRP Work? Latest Studies on PRP for Hair Growth (2025)
PRP therapy is gaining popularity in hair clinics, but it's not just a trend. Scientists and doctors have been studying it for years to see if it helps people with hair loss, and the results look promising.
What the Research Shows
Numerous studies have demonstrated that PRP can stimulate hair growth, increase hair thickness, and improve the appearance of a fuller scalp.
- A study examined 10 smaller studies involving over 200 participants. It was found that PRP helped increase hair growth and made hair strands thicker, particularly in individuals who were experiencing early signs of hair loss.
- Another study gave PRP to one group and a fake (placebo) treatment to another. After 3 sessions, the PRP group had more hair and were happier with how their hair looked.
- A study found that administering PRP once a month for three months resulted in approximately a 30% increase in hair growth. People also said their hair felt better and looked fuller.
|
Treatment |
Best For |
Time to See Results |
Invasive? |
Side Effects |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PRP Therapy |
Early hair thinning |
3–6 months |
No |
Mild redness, bruising |
Medium |
|
Finasteride |
Male pattern hair loss |
3–4 months |
No |
Sexual side effects |
Low |
|
Hair Transplant |
Bald spots |
6–12 months |
Yes (surgery) |
Scarring, recovery time |
High |
When Will You See the Results?
PRP doesn’t work overnight. You need to be patient and stick with the plan. Here’s what most people experience:
- First signs (less hair falling out): in 4 to 6 weeks
- Visible hair growth: around 3 months
- Best results: between 4 and 6 months
- Touch-ups: every 6 to 12 months to keep the results
Most people require 3 or 4 PRP treatments, spaced approximately one month apart, to notice a significant difference.
What Hair Problems Does PRP Help With?
PRP works best for people with androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness). It may not work as well for other hair problems, like alopecia areata, which is caused by the immune system attacking the hair.
One study found that PRP didn’t help much for people with alopecia areata. That’s because their hair loss is caused by inflammation that PRP can’t always fix.
Still, doctors have found that PRP works even better when combined with other treatments like:
- Finasteride
- Minoxidil
- Microneedling
Why PRP Doesn’t Work the Same for Everyone
PRP doesn’t give the same results to every person. Here’s why:
- Some clinics use different methods to prepare PRP (single vs. double spin).
- Platelet levels in the blood can vary.
- A person’s age, health, and habits (like smoking) make a difference.
- The way the doctor injects the PRP also matters.
Is PRP Safe? Who Should and Shouldn’t Try It for Hair Loss?
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy is a treatment that uses your blood to help with things like hair loss. It's popular because it's safe and uses natural parts from your body.
Is PRP Safe?
Yes, it's very safe when done by a trained doctor or nurse. Since the treatment uses your blood, you don't have to worry about allergies or your body rejecting it. It's also not surgery — there are no cuts or stitches, and you can go back to everyday life quickly.
Possible Side Effects
Most people feel fine after PRP, but some small side effects can happen. These are usually mild and go away in a few days:
- Swelling or redness where you got the shot
- Mild pain or soreness for a day or two
- Bruising (mainly around the forehead or hairline)
- Itching or tingling as your skin heals
You can use ice packs or regular pain medicine if needed.
Who Can Get PRP Therapy?
PRP is most effective for individuals who are just beginning to experience hair loss. It can help men and women who:
- Have thinning hair from genetics (like male or female pattern baldness)
- Are you losing hair all over, not just in one spot
- Want to use PRP along with other hair loss treatments
- Recently, they had a hair transplant and want to help their hair grow faster.
Who Shouldn’t Get PRP?
PRP may not work well for people who:
- They are completely bald in some areas (no hair follicles left)
- Have specific immune system problems, like lupus or severe alopecia areata
- Have blood or platelet problems.
- Take blood thinners or strong immune system medicine.
- Have infections or skin problems on their scalp
Why the Right Doctor Matters
For PRP to work well and be safe, you need a trained medical professional. Make sure your doctor:
- Keeps everything clean and sterile
- Uses the right equipment
- Knows a lot about hair and scalp conditions
Avoid going to non-medical places like unlicensed spas. If PRP is performed incorrectly, it may not be effective or could cause complications.
Conclusion
Losing hair can be frustrating, especially when medicines like finasteride don't work well or cause side effects. That's why many people are now turning to PRP therapy. PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. It's a treatment that utilises your blood to help stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth, resulting in thicker and stronger hair. It's safe, natural, and doesn't involve surgery.
PRP works best if you still have some hair left. It may not be effective in areas that are already completely bald. However, if you start early and adhere to your treatments, it can make a significant difference. You can also use it in conjunction with other treatments, such as minoxidil, laser therapy, or vitamins, for even better results.
If you’re not sure if PRP is right for you, you can speak to a doctor online. Mobi Doctor makes it easy to talk to a real medical expert from home. They can answer your questions and help you decide what treatment is best for your hair.
