PRP Hair Restoration

What PRP hair restoration is

Platelet-rich plasma is the part of blood plasma that holds a higher concentration of platelets than normal blood. For hair, it is applied to areas of the scalp where the hair has thinned. Because it is prepared from the patient’s own sample, no donor product or synthetic filler is involved.

Why patients ask about it

Patients raise PRP for a range of reasons, such as:

• gradual thinning at the crown or along the part line
• a hairline that has receded over several years
• wanting to compare it with other hair loss treatments before choosing

Thinning hair has many possible causes, including genetics, hormonal changes, low iron, thyroid conditions, certain medicines and scalp conditions. Some of these are best managed by treating the cause itself, which is why a medical assessment comes first.

From blood sample to treatment

Treatment happens in three stages:

• blood is drawn from the arm, in the same way as for a standard blood test
• the blood is spun down so the platelet-rich layer can be separated out
• the doctor then applies this layer to the thinning areas of the scalp

Mild tenderness or redness of the scalp can occur afterwards.

Your consultation

Nothing is booked until you have seen a GP. The first appointment covers:

• your health background and how the hair loss has progressed
• each step of the treatment
• side effects and risks to be aware of
• whether PRP fits your situation, and which other options exist
• your own questions

You are free to decide against treatment once the appointment is over.

Preparing for the consultation

It helps to think about the following before your appointment:

• when you first noticed thinning and whether it has changed
• any family history of hair loss
• medicines, supplements and hair treatments you use
• recent illness, surgery, weight change or major stress

Photos of your hair taken over time can also show how it has changed.

What PRP can and cannot do

Only a doctor can judge whether PRP is right for a particular person, and for some people it is not. Results differ from one patient to the next and no one can promise a specific outcome, so go in with realistic expectations and weigh up the alternatives too.

When hair loss needs a different kind of check

Sudden or patchy hair loss, shedding alongside tiredness or weight change, or a sore, red or scaly scalp can point to a medical cause that needs its own assessment. Mention any of these at your appointment, and book sooner if they are new.

Common questions