Hair loss is a deeply personal concern, one that affects both men and women across a wide age range and for a variety of reasons. At Enesima, we offer Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy as part of our hair restoration offering, and we're often asked whether it genuinely works.
The honest answer is: yes, for the right candidates and with realistic expectations, PRP can be a meaningful treatment for hair thinning and early-to-moderate hair loss. Here's what you need to know.
What Is PRP?
PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma, a concentrate derived from your own blood that is rich in growth factors. Platelets are the clotting cells of the blood, but they're also primary carriers of proteins called growth factors, which play a central role in tissue repair and regeneration throughout the body.
In hair restoration, these growth factors are harnessed to stimulate the follicles, the tiny structures in the scalp from which hair grows. A follicle that has become miniaturised or dormant due to androgenic hair loss (the most common pattern) may respond to this biological stimulus by re-entering the active growth phase.
How the Treatment Works
At Enesima, PRP hair treatment follows a straightforward process:
Blood Draw: A small volume of blood is drawn from your arm, similar to a standard blood test.
Centrifugation: The blood is placed in a centrifuge, which separates the blood components by weight. The platelet-rich plasma layer is isolated and concentrated.
Scalp Preparation: The treatment area of the scalp is cleansed. A topical numbing agent is applied to ensure comfort during the procedure.
Injection: The concentrated PRP is injected directly into the scalp at the level of the hair follicles, targeting the areas of thinning or loss.
The session typically takes between forty-five and sixty minutes in total, including preparation and recovery time. Most clients find the treatment well-tolerated, particularly with topical anaesthetic applied.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
PRP hair treatment tends to produce the best outcomes in clients who:
Have androgenic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss): This is the most common form of hair loss and one of the best studied in relation to PRP. Clients who still have living follicles, even if miniaturised, are more likely to respond than those in advanced stages of loss where follicles have been permanently destroyed.
Are in the early to moderate stages of hair loss: PRP works best when there is still viable follicular tissue to stimulate. It is less effective in areas of complete and long-standing baldness.
Have realistic expectations: PRP is not a hair transplant. It works by supporting existing follicles, improving hair density, and in some cases reactivating dormant follicles. It will not generate entirely new hair where none exists.
Are committed to a course of treatment: A single session of PRP rarely produces the outcomes clients are hoping for. A standard protocol involves three to four sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart, followed by maintenance treatments every six to twelve months.
PRP is not typically recommended for clients with certain blood disorders, those on anticoagulant medications, or those with active scalp infections. A thorough consultation is essential before beginning any programme.
What Results to Expect
Most clients who respond to PRP begin to notice improvement after the second or third session, typically increased hair density, reduced shedding, and improved thickness in existing strands. In some cases, previously dormant follicles may produce fine new hairs.
Results develop gradually and are cumulative. The most significant improvement is usually observed several months after completing the initial course of treatments.
It is important to note that PRP does not halt the underlying hormonal drivers of androgenic alopecia. Maintenance treatments are an important part of sustaining results over time.
PRP at Enesima
We approach PRP hair treatment at Enesima with the same care and personalisation that underpins everything we do. Before beginning any programme, we assess your hair loss pattern, discuss your history and goals, and give you an honest appraisal of what PRP can and cannot achieve for your specific situation.
We also consider whether complementary approaches, such as specific topical treatments or lifestyle adjustments, might support your results. Our goal is to design a programme that gives you the best possible chance of a meaningful outcome.
To find out whether PRP hair treatment is appropriate for your hair loss, book a consultation at Enesima in Malvern.