Is PRP an effective hair loss treatment?

PRP is marketed as an effective safe alternative treatment for hair loss in both men and women, but does it really work and what exactly is it?

What is PRP?
Human blood contains specific plasma rich growth factors that assist in wound healing and tissue regeneration. For many years platelet rich plasma or PRP has been used to augment other medical therapies with its ability to promote wound healing and more recently with its aesthetic and skin-rejuvenating effects.

PRP therapy has attracted attention recently as a promising treatment for hair loss, although the method of treatment is still in the early stages of being researched and more extensive studies are required. The role of PRP in hair restoration is to prolong and stimulate inactive hair follicles, into an active growth phase.

How is it performed?
Approximately 10mls of blood is drawn from the patient. The blood is spun in a centrifuge which separates the plasma from the red blood cells. Through a process of micro-needling the highly concentrated platelet rich plasma is injected into the scalp.

Patients require at least two sessions, one month apart before any results are seen. Typically 3 sessions over a 3 month period are required with maintenance sessions every 3 - 4 months. It can be used concurrently with other non-surgical treatments, minoxidil and DHT blockers but it does not offer a permanent solution to hair loss unlike hair restoration
surgery.

Does the treatment hurt?
Patients should only experience very mild discomfort without anaesthesia. This largely depends on the expertise of the practitioner, the method of injecting or micro-needling and skin sensitivity.

Does PRP really work?
Reportedly some patients respond well and perhaps this could be a method of treatment for carefully selected patients, particularly those that are not suitable for other hair loss treatments or surgery and the treatment is without side-effects. As with all hair loss treatments, one needs to have realistic expectations and results cannot be guaranteed.