Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a promising, non-surgical option for hair restoration. This treatment harnesses the body’s own regenerative abilities to stimulate hair growth and increase hair density. While effective, PRP is not a permanent cure for hair loss, but rather a long-term management and maintenance therapy. It works by actively supporting hair follicles to counteract the progressive nature of common types of hair thinning.
Understanding Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment
Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy utilizes a concentrated component of the patient’s own blood to stimulate growth in the scalp. The process begins with drawing a small volume of blood, which is then placed into a centrifuge. This device rapidly spins the blood to separate its components.
The centrifugation process isolates the plasma layer containing a high concentration of platelets, known as “platelet-rich plasma.” Platelets are packed with regenerative proteins called growth factors, such as Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1).
Once isolated, the PRP serum is injected into the areas of the scalp experiencing hair thinning. The growth factors act as biological messengers, signaling dormant hair follicles to enter the active growth phase. They also improve blood supply to the follicles, delivering oxygen and nutrients to support healthier, thicker hair growth.
The Biological Basis for Non-Permanence
PRP is not a permanent solution because it treats androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), a genetic and hormonal condition characterized by progressive follicle miniaturization. The underlying cause, often sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is not eliminated by the treatment.
PRP introduces growth factors and anti-inflammatory agents directly to the scalp. This creates a supportive, nutrient-rich environment that counteracts the processes causing the follicle to shrink and the hair cycle to shorten. The growth factors specifically prolong the anagen (active growth) phase, allowing hair to grow longer and thicker.
The treatment targets the symptoms of hair loss, such as thinning hair, rather than providing a permanent cure for the genetic predisposition. Hair follicles require continuous stimulation to overcome the persistent effects of genetics and hormones. Without ongoing intervention, the underlying biological factors will reassert themselves, leading to a gradual return of the miniaturization process.
Standard Treatment Protocols and Maintenance Schedule
Achieving sustainable results requires a commitment to an initial intensive phase followed by regular maintenance. The first phase, known as the loading or induction phase, is designed to saturate the scalp with growth factors. This typically involves a series of three to four treatment sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart.
This initial schedule ensures follicles receive consistent signals to remain in the active growth phase. Patients often notice reduced shedding within the first few weeks. Visible hair thickening and regrowth typically appear three to six months after starting the initial series, with full results apparent around the six- to twelve-month mark.
Once the desired density and thickness are achieved, patients must transition into the maintenance phase to preserve their gains. Maintenance sessions are generally recommended once every six to twelve months, though some protocols suggest an interval of every four to six months, depending on the individual’s response. These periodic booster injections help keep the follicles stimulated and prevent regression.
What Happens When Treatment is Discontinued
Discontinuing the maintenance phase means removing continuous biological support from the hair follicles. Since the underlying cause of hair loss, such as androgenetic alopecia, remains active, the progressive thinning process will gradually resume its natural course. The therapeutic gains will slowly diminish over time, though hair loss does not typically worsen beyond the patient’s baseline condition.
Without the regular influx of growth factors, the supportive environment created by the PRP injections fades. The hair follicles will slowly revert to miniaturization, and the anagen phase will shorten again. This regression is a gradual process, not an immediate collapse of results.
The effects of the last PRP injection typically last between 12 and 18 months before the gains noticeably fade. Over the course of six to eighteen months after the last treatment, the achieved hair density and thickness will slowly regress toward the pre-treatment condition. The outcome is not accelerated hair loss, but simply a return to the natural, progressive rate of thinning dictated by genetics.