PRP is your own centrifuged blood injected into the scalp. Some studies show modest gains; many are small, unblinded, or incomparable. It is an adjunct, not an FDA-approved hair-loss drug.
Platelet-rich plasma is prepared from a blood draw, spun to concentrate platelets, then injected. The theory is growth factors. For androgenetic alopecia, systematic reviews find a signal of increased hair density in some randomised trials — and also high heterogeneity: spin methods, platelet counts, injection grids, session number, and whether minoxidil was continued all differ. That is why two clinics can both say ‘the literature supports PRP’ while doing different procedures. PRP is not a licensed equivalent of minoxidil or finasteride. Alopecia areata and scarring alopecias are separate questions with even patchier data.
Downsides are cost, repeated visits, pain, bruise, and rare infection. Exosome and ‘stem cell’ add-ons sold in the same chair are often a further marketing layer with even less standardisation. If you try PRP, keep the treatments that already have stronger evidence, demand a diagnosis first, and judge with photos at a fixed interval — not a week after the numbing wears off. Pregnancy: elective scalp injections are not a first-trimester hobby; ask your obstetric clinician. This is not medical advice. Be sceptical of packages that require paying for six sessions before anyone will look at a trichoscope.
Try the free self-check →Sources: AGA review (CCID) ↗
FAQ
Is PRP FDA-approved to grow hair?
PRP devices and kits may be cleared for processing blood. That is not the same as FDA approval of PRP as a drug proven to treat baldness. Clinics sometimes blur that language.
Should I do PRP instead of finasteride?
For male pattern loss, finasteride and minoxidil have a clearer evidence hierarchy. PRP is optional and mixed. Replacing proven drugs with injections because a brochure looks scientific is a common and expensive mistake.
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⚠️ When to see a doctor — don’t self-treat
- Sudden patchy or circular bald spots
- Redness, scaling, pus, pain or itch (possible scarring alopecia — treat urgently)
- Broken hairs or rapid loss
- Loss with body-wide signs (weight loss, fatigue, cycle changes, acne, extra hair)
- Loss right after a new medication
- Any hair loss in a child