What is PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma?
Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP is a yellow liquid consisting of blood plasma (the liquid part of blood) and floating in it, a high concentration of tiny cell fragments called platelets.
Plasma contains many factors essential for cell survival including nutrients, vitamins, hormones, electrolytes, growth factors (such as IGF and HGF), and proteins.
Platelets are so-named because under microscope magnification, they look like tiny plates. They provide Growth Factors incliding FGF, PDGF, TGF-β, EGF, VEGF, IGF, which are involved in stem cell migration, differentiation and proliferation. So they are very important in repair and this is what we harness in PRP treatment.
What is PRP Hair Treatment?
PRP Hair Treatment or PRP Scalp Treatment involves:
1. Creating your PTP
First, your PRP needs to be exracted from your blood
2. Next We Need to Deliver the PRP into your scalp, close to the cells of your hair follicles.
There are two main methods of getting the PRP to the target zone - injection and "microneedling".
Injections can be delivered traditionally with a needle and syringe - but at Growth Factor Hair Clinic we prefer droplet injection using an air-driven injector gun - because it is more precise, more comfortable and gives better results.
Microneedling involves making lots of tiny channels in the scalp with small needles and then applying the PRP, which soaks in to the freshly made channels like a sponge.
What are the Benefits of PRP Hair Treatment for Hair Loss?
Scientific evidence shows PRP Treatment can:
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Reduce hair shedding
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Increase hair density
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Increase hair shaft diameter
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Increase anagen time, decrease telogen time
PRP Treatment is also:
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Natural
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Vegan
What are the Risks of PRP Hair Treatment for Hair Loss?
The temporary risks of PRP immediately following treatment are:
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redness / pinkness
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pin point red marks
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feeling of fullness in the scalp
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headache
General risks of PRP treatment are:
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insufficient response
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infection
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bruise (arm where blood drawn)
How Does PRP Work?
Who Does PRP Hair Treatment Work For?
Condition
PRP scalp treatment works best for:
Androgenetic Alopecia - also known as Male Pattern Baldness or Female Pattern Hair Loss.
It can also be useful in selected cases of:
Early Patchy Alopecia Areata (as an addition to other treatments)
Early Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (as an addition to other treatments)
Mild / Early Traction Alopecia
Early hair loss - hairline going back or early thinning
General Health
You should be generally fit and well
Non-Smoker
Who Should Not Have PRP Hair Loss Treatment?
Condition
Severe Alopecia Areata (Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis)
Moderate or severe Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
Moderate or severe Androgenetic Alopecia
Moderate or severe traction alopecia
Severity
Moderate hair loss with unrealistic expectations
Severe hair loss
General Health
Blood clotting disorders
NSAIDs
Cancer or history of cancer
Will PRP Hair Treatment Help Me?
Book a Free 15 minute online / phone mini PRP Consultation for personalised advice from Dr Gwen Adey.
What Results Can I Expect from PRP Hair Treatment?
PRP Hair Treatment Before & Afters
How is PRP Created?
PRP is made from parts of your whole blood.
1. Blood Collection
Blood is drawn from your arm into a PRP processing tube medical device - at Growth Factor, we prefer RegenLab BCT medical device.
A fine single use sterile "butterfly needle" is used. The RegenLab BCT device is sterile and pyrogen-free.
2. Processing Blood into PRP
Your blood, sealed in the RegenLab BCT device is processed in a machine called a centrifuge. This spins very fast and uses gravity to separate the heavier parts of blood (red blood cells, white blood cells) from the liquid plasma and very lightweight platelets.
3. PRP and PPP
Depending on many individual factors, we remove some of the least concentrated PRP - called the PPP or Platelet Poor Plasma - and re-suspend the platelets in the plasma. We can create personalised dose solutions to match your clinical needs on the day of your treatment.
How can PRP Hair Treatment help me?
1 Strengthens thinning hair
If your hair is getting finer, more scalp is showing or your hairline is receding, PRP can help reinforce growth from hair follicles remaining. It can improve the thickness and density of your hair.
2. Reduces Shedding
Many people see a noticable reduction in hair fall within the first few months. PRP can help keep more hair in the active growth phase of the hair cycle and less in the shedding and dormant phase.
3. Improves hair dentisty over time
PRP can help boost the number of hairs actively growing
4. Boosts blood supply to follicles
A better blood supply means more oxygen and nutrients reach your hair follicles and this means better growth potential.
5. Suppoerts hair transplant results
If you're planning a hair transplant or already had one, PRP helps encourage earleir stronger growth and can reduce shock loss. it also helps to improve your native, non-transplanted hair
6. A good option if you don't want or can't take medication
Some people can't or don't want to use minoxidil or finasteride for example. PRP is completely drug-free, vegan and uses only your own biology.
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Natural, evidence-based treatment to support hair growth. Tap into the power of your body's natural healing ability to improve your hair growth.
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Uses a concentrated solution of healing cells from your own blood, delivered right where you need them -close to your hair follicles.
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Non-surgical
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No downtime
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Safe
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Effective in the right people. Find out if you're a good candidate for PRP success by booking a free 15 minute consultation - your choice phone or online.
How PRP works
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) works by delivering a concentrated dose of your own growth factors directly to the hair follicles that are becoming weaker in androgenetic alopecia.
Your blood naturally contains platelets — tiny cells fragments responsible for healing and regeneration. When these platelets are concentrated and injected into the scalp, they release natural chemical signals called Growth Factors that collectively support healthier, stronger hair growth.
Here’s what actually happens, step by step:
1. Blood Collection
A small volume of blood is drawn into a RegenLab BCT tube. This is just like having a blood test. We use fine "butterfly" needles and techniques to make this as comfortable as possible for you.
2. Processing with RegenLab centrifuge to create your PRP
Your sealed tube of blood is processed in a RegenLab centrifuge to separate your Platelet Rich Plasma from the rest of the blood. We consistently create high quality PRP, ideal for treating hair loss.
3. Precise, painless scalp injections
PRP is carefully injected into your scalp using a tiny needle in an air-driven PRP injector. Our specific Growth Factor protocols are tailored to exactly what you need and to the stage of treatment you are in.
4. Activation
Platelets become activated when they come into contact with the scalp, triggering release of their natural chemicals called Growth Factors.
5. Growth Factor Effects
Follicles receive signals that help improve hair growth.
What's involved?
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PRP Consultation to find out if PRP is suitable for you
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3-6 PRP Treatments, approximately one month apart
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Maintenance single PRP treatments every 6 months (3-12 months)
How much does expert PRP Hair Treatment cost?
Who will perform my PRP Treatment?
Your PRP treatment will be performed by Dr Gwen Adey BDS MFDS RCS or under her direct clinical supervision.
Gwen has more than 20 years of surgical and clinical experience and has focused specifically on PRP for hair loss for the past 4 years.
This is not a delgated, high volume treatment clinic. Every case is approached individually, with careful assessment, precise technique and genuine care.
Dr Gwen is regulated by the GDC and insured by Hamilton Fraser insurance.
Is PRP at Growth Factor Hair Clinic just like every other clinic offering PRP?
No. And this is important.
PRP treatment at Growth Factor is the main event, our flagship service - so we do a lot of it. It's not an added extra or service at the bottom of a list. Because it is our specialty, we can dedicate our time and resources to being at the forefront of new research and we have a huge mount of real practical experience treating other people with hair loss just like you.
Our protocols are evidence-led and evolving, linked to new scientific research as it becomes available. We are privileged to benefit from expert advice from our Scientific Adviser Professor Ryan Moseley. Protocols we use are strict and reproducible but treatment is tailored to your clinical needs at each treatment.
All of this means we can confidently offer you PRP treatment that we believe is most likely to give you the best hair growth results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Combining PRP with other treatments
It's not a case of "shall i have PRP or use minoxidil" or 'PRP or hair transplant' - usually combining treatments gives the best results.We can tailor recommendations for you personally at your consultation.