PRP & Hair Restoration

The blood draw is a standard needle prick. Scalp injections are the more uncomfortable part — the scalp is sensitive — but topical anaesthetic is applied beforehand and the needle is very fine. Most patients rate it as tolerable and manageable, and it is over quickly. Tenderness for a day or so afterwards is normal.

An initial course commonly runs to 3–4 sessions spaced roughly 4–6 weeks apart, with maintenance considered thereafter. These are typical ranges rather than a fixed protocol — Dr. Bangalee sets your schedule from the cause and extent of your hair loss and how you respond. A single session is unlikely to produce a lasting result.

No — and this is the most important thing to understand before booking. PRP stimulates follicles that are still alive but miniaturising. Where an area has been bald for years and the follicles are dormant, there is nothing for PRP to stimulate. It is a treatment for thinning, not for restoring lost hair. Dr. Bangalee will assess your pattern of loss and tell you honestly what is achievable.

Because PRP uses your own blood, the risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission is very low. It is not without risk: bruising, tenderness, swelling and, rarely, infection are possible, as with any injection. It must only be performed by a trained medical practitioner in a properly sterile clinical setting, and suitability is assessed individually.

Because hair loss is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiency and certain medications all cause hair to thin — and no amount of PRP will fix hair loss driven by an untreated thyroid problem or low ferritin. Establishing the cause first is what makes this a medical treatment rather than a cosmetic one.

For skin, PRP is most commonly combined with Dermapen microneedling. The micro-channels created by the needling allow the growth factors to penetrate deeply, amplifying the collagen-building response beyond microneedling alone. It is used particularly for significant acne scarring and stubborn pigmentation, where an enhanced healing response justifies the additional treatment.

Not for 24 hours. After that, wash gently with a mild shampoo. Avoid hair colouring, chemical straightening or other chemical treatments for 48 hours, and avoid swimming pools and saunas for 24 hours.

Yes, and combination usually outperforms any single approach. PRP works well alongside topical and oral medical therapy where those are appropriate for you. Dr. Bangalee will discuss the full range of medical options at your assessment rather than presenting PRP as the only answer.

Where PRP helps, the first change reported is often reduced shedding during the first month, and any visible new growth more commonly appears from around 8–12 weeks, with density continuing to change through months 3–6. These are patterns seen in some patients, not outcomes that can be promised — response varies with the cause of the hair loss and some patients see little change. If you are expecting a difference within a fortnight, the timeline needs resetting before you start.

PRP is not performed during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or in patients with blood disorders, platelet dysfunction, active infection at the treatment site, active malignancy, or those on anticoagulant therapy that cannot be safely interrupted. A full medical history and, where indicated, blood tests are taken before treatment is agreed.