Skin science · 5 min read
Does PRP Work for Hair Loss? What the Evidence Says and Who It Helps
PRP for hair is neither the miracle it is marketed as nor the gimmick sceptics call it. The truth sits in between, and depends on who you are.
Thinning hair is distressing in a way that is easy to underestimate, and the market for treatments reflects that. Platelet-rich plasma has become one of the most requested, and I am asked about it weekly. Here is what I tell patients.
What PRP is
A small amount of your blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and the resulting plasma is injected into the scalp in the thinning areas. Platelets release growth factors that appear to prolong the growth phase of hair follicles, improve blood supply around them, and stimulate dormant follicles to re-enter growth. There is no drug and no foreign substance; it is your own tissue.
What the evidence actually shows
Multiple randomised trials and several systematic reviews have found that PRP increases hair density and hair shaft thickness in androgenetic alopecia, the common pattern hair loss that affects both men and women, when compared with placebo injections. The improvement is moderate: typically a measurable increase in hairs per square centimetre and thicker individual hairs, rather than a dramatic regrowth of a bald area. The quality of the evidence is reasonable but not perfect, because preparation methods and injection protocols vary between studies.
In plain terms: for the right patient, PRP reliably slows loss and produces visible thickening. It does not regrow hair on scalp that has been smooth for years, because the follicles there are gone.
Who responds
The best candidates are patients in the early to moderate stages of pattern thinning, whose follicles are miniaturised but still present. Diffuse thinning at the crown and part line in women, and receding temples or a thinning crown in men, respond well. Patients with long-standing, advanced loss, or with scarring forms of alopecia, respond poorly or not at all. Certain medical conditions and medications also affect suitability, which is why a medical history is taken first.
The protocol
An initial course is three to four sessions, four weeks apart, followed by maintenance every four to six months. Each session takes about forty-five minutes including the blood draw. The scalp is tender for a day and may be mildly swollen; you can wash your hair the next day and there is no visible downtime. First changes, usually reduced shedding, appear at two to three months. Density improvements are assessed at six months with photographs taken under the same lighting. At the clinic, PRP for hair is $450 per session.
What PRP is not
It is not a replacement for the treatments with the strongest evidence, which remain topical minoxidil and, for men and some women, oral finasteride or its alternatives. PRP works best alongside these, not instead of them. It is also not a treatment for hair loss caused by iron deficiency, thyroid disease, recent illness, rapid weight loss or medication, all of which need to be identified and addressed first. Part of the consultation is bloodwork, because injecting a scalp that is shedding for a treatable medical reason is a waste of your money.
The honest summary
If you are in the early stages of pattern thinning, willing to commit to a course and maintenance, and prepared to combine it with proven medical therapy, PRP is a reasonable, well-tolerated option with a real but moderate benefit. If your loss is advanced or has a medical cause, it is not the right first step, and I will tell you so.
Common questions
Does PRP really regrow hair?
In pattern hair loss, randomised trials show PRP increases hair density and thickness compared with placebo. The effect is moderate: it thickens existing miniaturised hairs and slows loss. It does not regrow hair where follicles have been absent for years.
How many PRP sessions are needed for hair loss?
Usually three to four sessions four weeks apart, then maintenance every four to six months. Reduced shedding is often noticed at two to three months and density is assessed at six months.
Who is a good candidate for PRP hair treatment?
Patients with early to moderate pattern thinning whose follicles are still present. Advanced loss, scarring alopecia, and hair loss caused by medical conditions such as iron deficiency or thyroid disease respond poorly or need different treatment first.
Is PRP for hair painful?
The scalp injections are uncomfortable but brief, and topical anaesthetic or a nerve block can be used. The scalp is tender for about a day. There is no visible downtime.
How much does PRP for hair loss cost in Markham?
At the clinic, PRP for hair loss is $450 per session. A course and maintenance plan is set at your consultation, and bloodwork is reviewed first to rule out treatable causes.
Dr. Mazzuca is a licensed physician practising medical aesthetics in Markham, Ontario, with additional training in cosmetic medicine, facial anatomy, women's health, and longevity medicine. Every treatment at the clinic is performed by her personally. Her registration can be verified through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Monique Mazzuca, MD, CCFP. Published September 11, 2026.
This article is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for an in-person assessment. Results vary between patients, and every treatment carries risks that are reviewed with you before you consent. Suitability is determined by Dr. Mazzuca at your consultation.
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