Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Hair Loss: Evidence-Based Insights

Hair loss is a common concern affecting both men and women, with causes ranging from genetic predisposition to inflammatory and stress-related factors. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) has emerged as a regenerative treatment option that uses a patient’s own biologic material to stimulate hair follicles and improve hair quality. PRP is prepared by concentrating platelets from the patient’s blood and delivering growth factors directly into the scalp to support follicular activity.

The clinical rationale for PRP lies in its ability to enhance the hair growth cycle by promoting angiogenesis, reducing inflammation, and stimulating dermal papilla cell activity. PRP has been studied most extensively for pattern hair loss, but growing evidence supports its role in other forms of hair loss, including chronic telogen effluvium and selected cases of alopecia areata. When used appropriately, PRP can help maintain existing hair and thicken miniaturizing follicles.

A 2023 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated statistically significant increases in hair density and hair shaft diameter in patients treated with PRP compared with saline injections. More recently, a 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed that PRP consistently outperformed placebo in objective hair growth measurements while maintaining an excellent safety profile.

In clinical practice, PRP is typically administered as a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart, followed by maintenance sessions. PRP is often combined with other therapies such as oral or topical medications and laser-based treatments to maximize outcomes. While PRP is not a cure for hair loss, PRP can play an important role in maintaining hair, slowing progression, and thickening thinning hair when incorporated into a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan.