What is PRP treatment for hair loss?
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is made from a small tube of your own blood. A centrifuge spins the sample to gather the platelets, and the resulting concentrate is injected where the scalp has thinned. Platelets give off growth factors, which are believed to help follicles that are shrinking yet still alive.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, studies show PRP can be a safe and effective treatment for hair loss. It does best as one part of a plan based on a correct diagnosis, rather than as a single answer for every type of thinning.
Which type of hair loss can PRP help?
The bulk of PRP research concerns androgenetic alopecia, the hereditary thinning often called male or female pattern hair loss. That is why the kind of hair loss has to be identified before anything else.
| Kind of hair loss | How it usually shows | Where PRP stands |
|---|---|---|
| Androgenetic alopecia (men) | Hairline moving back, thinner crown | Studied most; often paired with medical treatment |
| Female pattern hair loss | Wider parting, general thinning on top | Researched; may be paired with medical treatment |
| Telogen effluvium | Sudden shedding all over after illness, stress or giving birth | Find and treat the trigger first |
| Alopecia areata | Round, smooth bald patches | Limited evidence; specialist assessment needed |
| Scarring alopecia | Shiny, inflamed scalp with follicle openings lost | Requires a dermatology diagnosis; PRP is not a first-line option |
Before PRP is planned, Dr. Yazır asks about your history and examines the scalp, and if needed he suggests blood tests or a referral to a dermatologist.
What does the evidence show?
Several meta-analyses have looked at PRP in androgenetic alopecia. The findings are positive, but they need careful reading.
| Research | What it found |
|---|---|
| Meta-analysis, 9 randomised trials (2023) | Higher hair density with PRP than placebo at 3 and 6 months; no serious adverse reactions |
| Meta-analysis, 27 controlled trials, GRADE-rated (2023) | Density rose compared with saline, but the evidence was judged low quality; no serious adverse events |
| Network meta-analysis of non-surgical options (2018) | PRP, finasteride and minoxidil gave roughly similar changes in hair count; evidence for PRP very low in quality |
| Network meta-analysis of PRP schedules (2022) | Better outcomes were linked with more sessions at shorter intervals |
Put simply, PRP can thicken hair in many people with pattern hair loss, but responses differ, preparation methods vary a great deal and stronger trials are still required. A 2024 expert review made the same point about the missing consensus on an ideal protocol.
Who is a good candidate for PRP?
| Often a good match | Better to hold off or talk it through |
|---|---|
| Pattern thinning at an early or moderate stage | Areas that have been fully bald for years |
| Thin hair where follicles are still active | Hair loss without a clear diagnosis |
| People on medical therapy, or those who cannot use it | Platelet or bleeding disorders |
| Men and women diagnosed with pattern hair loss | Blood thinners or anti-platelet medicines |
| Realistic goals and ready to finish a course | Scalp infection, active cancer, pregnancy |
If you would rather have an injection based on vitamins or medicines, read about hair mesotherapy. Its research base is smaller and less consistent than that for PRP.
How is PRP for hair loss performed?
- Consultation and diagnosis. Your history is taken, the scalp is examined and standardised photos are made; blood tests are added if needed.
- Blood sample. A little blood is drawn from your arm.
- Processing. The centrifuge separates out the platelet-rich plasma.
- The injections. After the scalp is cleaned, a fine needle places small, evenly spaced amounts of PRP into the thinning areas.
- Afterwards. Usual activities can resume that day. Washing the hair is generally postponed for around 24 hours.
Dr. Yazır carries out every session himself at his clinic in the Egeperla building, Konak, Izmir.
What does recovery look like?
| When | Typical course |
|---|---|
| Same day | Tender scalp, a tight feeling, little red marks |
| Days 1 to 2 | Tenderness eases; washing is usually fine after 24 hours |
| Week 4 | Following session of the course |
| Months 3 to 6 | Less shedding and early gains in density, if you are responding |
| Once the course ends | Progress compared with your first photos; maintenance arranged |
For roughly 48 hours after every session, avoid hair colouring, saunas and hard exercise.
How do I plan my trip to Izmir?
Because the course runs over a few months, PRP suits people who come to Izmir often, stay for a while, or can link sessions to other trips.
| Stage | Timing that usually works |
|---|---|
| First trip | Consultation, diagnosis and the first PRP session |
| Next trips | Sessions roughly 4 weeks apart |
| Maintenance | Commonly every few months, checked against photos |
| In between | Any prescribed medical treatment at home |
The clinic in Konak is roughly 25 to 30 minutes by car from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB). Before travelling you can send scalp photos and a brief history by WhatsApp. Dr. Yazır confirms the plan only after examining you in person.
What are the risks of PRP for hair loss?
The injected material comes from your own blood, so an allergic reaction to it is not expected, and none of the meta-analyses mentioned above found serious adverse events. Side effects can include:
- Pain and soreness while injecting and afterwards
- A short-lived headache
- Redness, puffiness or slight bleeding where the needle went in
- A bruise where blood was drawn
- Infection (uncommon; sterile technique lowers the risk)
- In some people, little or no change
How long do results last?
Androgenetic alopecia keeps progressing, so PRP cannot halt it for good. Cleveland Clinic notes that more than one treatment may be needed and that PRP helps some people but not others. If it works for you, keeping the gain usually means maintenance sessions, often together with medical treatment.