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The concept of using platelet rich plasma (PRP) to promote healing and growth after injuries or surgery has been well studied over the years. It is a legitimate method and is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for hair loss. In fact, many clinics are now offering it as a standalone intervention or combined with others.
It involves using the patient’s own blood to separate the platelets, which can then be injected into an area via a syringe, so it is less invasive than the typical hair transplant surgery. PRP can, in fact, promote hair growth in addition to helping heal damaged tissues, and we will explore to what extent this is possible and just how effective it can be.
How PRP Works for Hair Loss
The benefits stem from the fact that it releases various growth factors directly into the hair follicles. These are combined with cytokines and signaling proteins and have a profound effect on the cells. Platelet rich plasma therapy prolongs the growth phase and strengthens the root, which are all crucial for optimal hair restoration.
The Full Process Explained
This is a methodical approach, but it doesn’t take much time. It can be broken down into a few simple steps:
- Collection – the medical technician draws a bit of blood from the patient’s arm.
- Separation – the tubes containing the blood are spun at high speeds for about 10—20 minutes to separate it into PPP, red blood cells, and PRP.
- Preparing the serum – the technicians may add an anticoagulant or activator during the final preparation and load the serum into a syringe.
- Injection – the doctor will inject PRP into the thinning or bald areas of the head to stimulate hair growth.
You will need to have multiple sessions over the span of several months to get the best effects.
Who is a Good Candidate for PRP?
This treatment is great for those who have only recently started noticing some thinning on the top of the head, and still have most of their hair, although some strands may be weaker and whisper. You cannot use PRP for hair restoration in bald spots, as it can only strengthen existing follicles, not create new ones. It also works well after a hair transplant to help give you even better results.
How Many PRP Sessions Are Needed?
It’s best to schedule multiple visits, four to five work well in most cases, and get a treatment at least once a month or so to fully regenerate the follicles. After that, you can come in for follow-ups 2–3 times a year to maintain your results.
Side Effects and Safety of PRP Injections
As it’s not an invasive procedure, and the serum comes from your own blood, you don’t really get many risks and side effects, apart from a few minor inconveniences. The most common thing patients experience is some swelling and itchiness at the injection site for a day or two, sometimes accompanied by light pain. If not administered in a fully sterile environment, an infection could develop, but the chances of that happening in a professional clinical setting are slim.
Cost of PRP Treatment for Hair Loss
While it is certainly more expensive than the readily available medications, PRP is still fairly affordable when compared to other common options. Let’s look at the typical costs of various options, including the most popular types of hair transplants.
Treatment | Average Cost (Turkey) | Effectiveness |
PRP | $150–$250 per session | Multiple sessions needed |
Laser Therapy (LLLT) | $500–$1,500 per course | Ongoing maintenance is often required |
FUE (3,000 grafts) | $2,500–$3,500 (one-time) | Permanent results |
DHI (3,000 grafts) | $3,000–$4,500 (one-time) | More precise and higher density |
PRP as a Bridge to Hair Transplant Surgery
The main limitations of getting an operation are that the existing hair around the recipient area may continue to weaken and eventually fall out over time. It all depends on what stage of male pattern baldness you are at currently and how fast it is progressing.
That’s why doctors often recommend additional treatments, primarily PRP, as a way to slow down or stop this process and bring the existing hair back to its former glory. If you look at the many available hair transplant before & after pictures, you can see just how natural the end result can look.
FAQs
Does PRP therapy really regrow hair?
Not exactly. It restores miniaturized or damaged follicles to their full potential and thickens the shafts, making it seem as though the patient is experiencing full hair regrowth. However, if there is already a bald patch, no new strands will appear.
How long do PRP results last for hair loss?
It takes a couple of months to see the initial results, but it takes a while longer, up to half a year, to get the full, dense look with thicker strands. That’s simply because it takes time for the follicles to heal up properly.
What are the disadvantages of PRP?
The main issues people have with it are that not everyone will get the same results and that it takes several sessions over a longer time to get the full benefits. It also can’t help you regrow hair if you have severe hair loss.
Is PRP better than a hair transplant?
It may be a more affordable and less invasive option for anyone who has just recently noticed some thinning, as both FUE and DHI operations require the patient to be at least at Stage 3 Norwood. That being said, it is definitely a less effective option, as transplants are permanent and can cover large bald areas.
Can PRP be combined with a hair transplant?
It can be, and often is, provided as part of an all-inclusive package when you get a hair transplant in Turkey. The final results from such surgeries are visible after 12 months, and getting a few sessions of PRP in the meantime helps give the rest of your hair a healthier and more voluminous look.
