In short
PRP concentrates the platelets from your own blood and injects them into the scalp. In pattern hair loss it improves density compared with placebo, but the trials are small and protocols vary widely. It works best as an add-on to medical treatment, after a diagnosis confirms the follicles are still responsive.
Key points
- A meta-analysis of 9 trials (238 patients) found greater density than placebo at 3 and 6 months.
- The effect increases with more sessions and shorter gaps between them, according to a meta-analysis of 25 trials.
- A typical first course is 3 to 5 sessions one month apart, followed by a review.
- It does not replace medical treatment for pattern hair loss: it adds to it.
PRP is one of the most searched-for treatments for hair loss, and one of the most oversold. This guide sets out what the trials actually show, who it suits and what you can realistically expect, including how it works if you live in Spain or spend the season on the Costa del Sol.
What PRP for hair loss is
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. A small sample of your blood is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. That concentrate is then injected just under the skin in the areas of the scalp that have thinned.
The rationale is straightforward. Platelets release growth factors involved in tissue repair. Placed next to the follicle, they may lengthen its growth phase and slow the shrinking process behind pattern hair loss.
It is your own biological material, with nothing added. That explains why it is well tolerated, but it does not make it effective on its own. What matters is the evidence.
Who it is for: diagnosis comes first
The most common cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, or pattern hair loss. Over a lifetime it affects up to 80% of men and 42% of women of European descent [1]. It is progressive and follows a recognisable pattern.
Almost all PRP research has been done in pattern hair loss. So before it is offered, the doctor needs to confirm that this is your diagnosis and that the follicles are still responsive. Recommendations from the Indian dermatology association place the ideal candidate at grades II to V of the Hamilton-Norwood scale [6].
If your shedding is telogen effluvium after childbirth or a crash diet, alopecia areata or a scarring alopecia, PRP is not the answer. Those conditions are treated differently, and some need a dermatologist. Our guide to how hair loss is diagnosed explains how they are told apart.
What the evidence shows
There are plenty of trials, but they are small and very different from one another. This is what can be said with reasonable confidence:
- It improves density compared with placebo. A meta-analysis of 9 randomised trials, with 238 patients, found greater hair density at 3 and 6 months than with placebo [2].
- Not every measure improves. In the same analysis, hair count and hair thickness were not significantly different from placebo [2].
- The protocol matters. A network meta-analysis of 25 trials found that the effect increased with more sessions and shorter intervals between them [3].
- The quality of the evidence is low. In a comparison of non-surgical treatments, PRP ranked well in men, but the authors judged the quality of that evidence as low [4].
- There is a signal in women too. A review of 7 studies in female pattern hair loss found higher terminal hair density, with no clear change in thickness, and urged caution because the samples were small [5].
In short, PRP has moderate support as an add-on. It does not replace medical treatment for pattern hair loss, which European guidelines set out as the foundation [1]. The 2025 Canadian consensus lists it among recommended options, alongside prescription treatments and microneedling [7].
PRP, mesotherapy and microneedling: how they differ
All three are applied to the scalp and are easily confused. PRP uses a concentrate of your own blood. Mesotherapy injects a preparation made outside the body, and its composition varies widely between clinics. Microneedling creates controlled micro-punctures, on its own or alongside another treatment.
None of them replaces the underlying medical treatment. The choice depends on your diagnosis, how you feel about needles and how many clinic visits you can manage. The 2025 Canadian consensus recommends PRP and microneedling as part of a plan, not as a stand-alone fix [7].
What a session involves
- Blood is taken from your arm, as for a routine blood test.
- The sample is centrifuged to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich plasma.
- The scalp is cleaned and steps are taken to reduce discomfort.
- Fine, superficial injections are placed in the areas identified at diagnosis.
- You leave with written aftercare instructions.
Preparation is not standardised. Clinics differ in how many times the blood is spun, the platelet concentration and whether the plasma is activated. The network meta-analysis linked double spinning and activated plasma to better results [3], while the Indian recommendations do not consider activation necessary [6]. It is a good reason to be wary of anyone selling one protocol as the definitive one.
A typical first course is 3 to 5 sessions, one month apart, according to those recommendations [6]. After that, your doctor will discuss whether maintenance sessions make sense, and how often.
What to expect, realistically
A reasonable aim is to slow the loss and, for some people, regain a little density. It is not getting back the hair you had ten years ago.
Hair grows slowly. Trials measure change at 3 and 6 months [2], so it is too early to judge before then. That is why progress is tracked with standardised photographs, taken the same way each time.
Response varies from person to person. In the network meta-analysis, younger age and female sex were associated with a better response [3]. No one can promise you a specific result before you start.
If the underlying cause is left untreated, pattern hair loss carries on. PRP works best as part of a plan that includes the medical treatment indicated for you.
PRP alongside a hair transplant
PRP is also used with hair transplant surgery, during the procedure or in the weeks afterwards. A 2025 systematic review brought together 3 controlled studies with 217 participants [8].
In all three, adding PRP was associated with higher density, better graft survival and earlier regrowth [8]. But the protocols varied widely and none used a standardised measurement. It is a reasonable add-on, not yet an established standard. If you are weighing up a transplant, our guide to hair transplant candidacy and pre-operative assessment is a good next read.
Risks, and who should avoid it
The most common side effects are mild and short-lived: pain during the injections, redness, a tender scalp and small bruises. The meta-analysis of randomised trials reported no serious adverse effects [2].
It is not advisable, or needs careful assessment, if you have:
- A bleeding or platelet disorder.
- Anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment, which your doctor must always know about.
- An active infection or skin condition on the scalp.
- Active cancer or a general illness that is not under control.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding, because there are no studies.
- Expectations that no treatment can meet.
How it works with us in Spain
Every plan starts with a medical consultation. The hair loss diagnosis can be done by video consultation from anywhere in Spain, with guided photos and, if needed, a blood test at a laboratory near you. Consultations are available in English.
If you have pattern hair loss, the foundation is medical treatment for hair loss, with an electronic prescription when it is appropriate. PRP is offered as an add-on only when it adds something in your case.
PRP sessions take place at our clinic in Fuengirola, on the Costa del Sol, registered as a healthcare centre (NICA 62866). If you split your year between Spain and home, we can give you a written summary in English for your GP or dermatologist.
What the evidence says
Each statement shows its level of evidence and the sources behind it.
Supported
- Medical treatment for pattern hair loss is the foundation set out in the European guideline; PRP is considered as an add-on.[1]High-quality evidence
With caveats
When to see a doctor
Book a medical consultation, or go to A&E if it is severe or sudden, if you notice:
- Sudden, heavy shedding, hair coming out in clumps or round bald patches: these need a diagnosis before any procedure.
- Severe itching, pain, crusting or redness of the scalp.
- Hair loss together with tiredness, weight changes or changes to your periods.
- Fever, pus or spreading redness in the days after a session.
Frequently asked
Does PRP for hair loss hurt?
You will feel it, especially at the front of the scalp. We use measures to reduce discomfort, such as cooling or local anaesthetic depending on the case, and most people find it very manageable. The blood draw is the same as for a routine test.
Can I go back to work afterwards?
Usually, yes. Your scalp may feel tender or look a little red for a few hours. It is best not to plan hard exercise or an event where you would worry about how you look on the same day.
Can I wash my hair, colour it or go to the beach?
You will get written aftercare instructions after each session. As a rule, you wait a few hours before washing your hair and put off colouring and strong sun while the scalp is irritated.
Can I combine it with medical treatment for hair loss?
Yes, and that is the usual approach. Medical treatment tackles the underlying cause; PRP is added if your doctor thinks it will help.
What happens if I stop PRP?
Any gain may gradually fade, because pattern hair loss is progressive. After the first course, your doctor will discuss whether maintenance sessions are worthwhile and how often.
I only spend part of the year in Spain. Can I still do it?
Yes. Diagnosis and reviews can be done by video consultation, and sessions can be planned around your time on the Costa del Sol. We can also give you a written summary in English for your doctor at home.
Does PRP work for alopecia areata?
The main evidence for PRP is in pattern hair loss. Alopecia areata is treated differently and often needs a dermatologist. The first step is confirming the diagnosis.
References
Sources checked against PubMed or Crossref. Cited as plain text, without links.
- 1.Kanti V, Messenger A, Dobos G, Reygagne P, Finner A, Blumeyer A, et al. Evidence-based (S3) guideline for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women and in men - short version. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(1):11-22. doi: 10.1111/jdv.14624. PMID: 29178529.Verified on 2 October 2026
- 2.Zhang X, Ji Y, Zhou M, Zhou X, Xie Y, Zeng X, et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Cutan Med Surg. 2023;27(5):504-508. doi: 10.1177/12034754231191461. PMID: 37533146.Verified on 2 October 2026
- 3.Gupta AK, Bamimore M. Platelet-Rich Plasma Monotherapies for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Network Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression Study. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(9):943-952. doi: 10.36849/JDD.6948. PMID: 36074501.Verified on 2 October 2026
- 4.Gupta AK, Bamimore MA, Foley KA. Efficacy of non-surgical treatments for androgenetic alopecia in men and women: a systematic review with network meta-analyses, and an assessment of evidence quality. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;33(1):62-72. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1749547. PMID: 32250713.Verified on 2 October 2026
- 5.de Oliveira AFQ, Arcanjo FPN, Rodrigues MRP, Rosa E Silva AA, Hall PR. Use of autologous platelet-rich plasma in androgenetic alopecia in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dermatolog Treat. 2023;34(1):2138692. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2138692. PMID: 36264022.Verified on 2 October 2026
- 6.Sharma A, Chouhan K, Bhatia S, Dashore S. Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenetic Alopecia. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2021;12(Suppl 1):S31-S40. doi: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_328_21. PMID: 34976879.Verified on 2 October 2026
- 7.Landells I, Chow E, Gupta AK, Jasso Olivares JC, Thuraisingam T, Ahluwalia R, et al. A Canadian Consensus on Androgenetic Alopecia: Approach and Management. J Cutan Med Surg. 2025;29(5_suppl):5S-14S. doi: 10.1177/12034754251368849. PMID: 40986632.Verified on 2 October 2026
- 8.Sindhusen S, Tawanwongsri W, Eden C. Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma as an Adjunct to Hair Transplantation: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2025;17(10):e94116. doi: 10.7759/cureus.94116. PMID: 41069573.Verified on 2 October 2026
Educational content. It does not replace a medical consultation or provide a diagnosis. Tests and treatments are indicated only after medical consultation and in line with regulation.