Why PRP Hair Treatment Works Differently in Different People — Part 2: The Hair Loss Factor (Type of Hair Loss, Severity, and Follicle Presence)

In Part 1, we looked at the general health side of PRP—how your underlying biology influences your response to treatment.

But even if your biology is optimal…

There’s another factor that matters just as much:

your hair follicles.

🧠 The Most Important Principle

Before anything else, we need to be clear about one key point:

PRP can only work where hair follicles are still present.

If a follicle is:

• No longer present

• Replaced by scar tissue

• Permanently lost

Then:

❗ PRP cannot bring it back

❗ No treatment can bring it back

⚠️ This Is Where Many People Go Wrong

PRP is often described as a “hair regrowth treatment.”

That’s true—but only within limits.

It does not:

• Create new hair follicles

• Reverse advanced scarring

• Restore long-standing bald areas

Instead, it works by:

Supporting and strengthening follicles that are still present but underperforming

🔬 Which Types of Hair Loss Respond Best to PRP?

✔ Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss)

This is where PRP tends to work best.

Why?

Because in early to moderate stages:

• Hair follicles are still present

• They are miniaturised, not lost

👉 PRP can:

• Improve thickness

• Increase density

• Prolong the growth phase

⚖️ Early vs Advanced Matters More Than You Think

Even within androgenetic alopecia:

Early stage:

• Many follicles still present

• Better blood supply

• Stronger response

More advanced stage:

• Fewer follicles present

• Greater long-term loss

• Reduced response

👉 Same condition, very different outcomes.

⚠️ Telogen Effluvium

PRP can sometimes help support recovery —but it’s not the main treatment.

Because:

• Hair follicles are still present

• The issue is often systemic (e.g. stress, illness, nutritional deficiency)

👉 Addressing the underlying cause is much more important than PRP alone.

🚫 Scarring Alopecias (e.g. Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia)

This is where expectations must be realistic.

In scarring alopecia:

• Hair follicles are no longer present in affected areas

• They have been replaced by scar tissue

👉 PRP may:

• Support surrounding follicles that are still present

• Improve scalp quality

But:

❗ It cannot regrow hair where follicles are no longer present

🧬 Follicle Presence: The Deciding Factor

Across all types of hair loss, the key question is:

Are the follicles still present?

If yes:

• PRP may help

If no:

• PRP will not work

🧠 This Explains a Lot of Confusion

Two people can both say:

“I had PRP”

But:

• One has early androgenetic alopecia

• The other has advanced androgenetic alopecia or a scarring hair loss condition or alopecia areata

👉 Completely different conditions

👉 Completely different potential outcomes

🔍 Why Timing Matters

PRP is most effective when used:

Early - before follicles are lost.

This is why early assessment matters.

Waiting until hair loss is advanced often means:

• Fewer follicles present

• Less capacity for improvement

🧬 A Better Way to Think About PRP

PRP is not a cure.

It’s not a last resort.

It is:

A treatment that supports follicles that are still present

🧠 The Growth Factor Hair Clinic Approach

Before recommending PRP, we focus on:

• Identifying the type of hair loss

• Assessing the stage and severity

• Determining whether follicles are still present

Because the most important question is:

“Are there still follicles present that could respond?”

🧬 Bringing It Together (Part 1 + Part 2)

From Part 1:

• Your biology influences how well you respond

From Part 2:

• Your follicles determine whether you can respond at all

📈 Final Thought

PRP works best when three things are true:

1. Your biology is supportive

2. Your follicles are still present

3. Your PRP is created and delivered optimally

If any are missing:

Results will be limited—no matter how strong the other two elements.

📖 Read Part 1

If you haven’t already, Part 1 explains how your general health influences PRP outcomes:

Why PRP Hair Treatment Works Differently in Different People — Part 1: The General Health Issue

If you’re unsure whether PRP is suitable for your hair loss:

A proper assessment can help determine:

• Your type of hair loss

• Whether follicles are still present

• What results you can realistically expect

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