PRP hair treatment

How a PRP session works

A small amount of your blood is drawn, much like a routine blood test. It is placed in a centrifuge that separates the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. The plasma is then injected into the areas of the scalp where hair is thinning, with numbing used as needed.

The session is brief, you can usually return to your day afterwards, and you may have mild tenderness or redness at the injection sites. Your clinician will give you instructions on washing and activity.

What PRP can and cannot do

Platelets contain growth factors, and the idea is to support follicles that are shrinking but still alive. The published research is encouraging and still developing, protocols differ between clinics, and results vary from person to person.

PRP cannot create new follicles. It will not restore a hairline in an area that is completely bald. Dr. Contractor will say plainly when a transplant is the more realistic option and when PRP is a reasonable thing to try.

PRP alongside a transplant

Some patients have PRP in addition to a transplant, as a way to support the transplanted and surrounding hair. It is optional and priced separately. It is not a substitute for planning the procedure carefully, and we do not present it as a guarantee of better growth.

If you are not having a transplant, a typical plan involves a series of sessions followed by maintenance. The schedule is set with you and reviewed over time so you can decide whether it is worth continuing.

Who should talk to a doctor first

Tell your clinician about any blood conditions, blood-thinning medication, infection or skin condition on the scalp, and about supplements you take. These can affect whether PRP is appropriate. A consultation is the right place to review them, along with the likely causes of your thinning.

Hair thinning has many causes, including genetics, hormones, nutrition and medication. Treating the right cause matters more than choosing the newest treatment.

Preparing for a session and what to expect afterwards

Drink water beforehand, eat normally and tell the team about any medication or supplement that thins the blood. Some clinicians ask patients to avoid certain anti-inflammatory medication around the session, so follow the specific advice you are given rather than general rules.

Afterwards the scalp can feel tender or look slightly pink for a short time. Gentle handling, and following the washing and activity instructions you receive, is the usual advice. If anything seems unusual, such as spreading redness, increasing pain or swelling, call the practice.

Because PRP is gradual, we suggest taking standardised photographs before the first session and at set intervals. Looking at a photograph taken in the same light and angle is far more reliable than judging change in the mirror.