Hair thinning is rarely just one problem with one solution. It often has multiple causes, and the best treatment depends on what is actually driving it. Some people respond well to a single option, while others need a combination plan and patience, as results can take months. There’s no single treatment that works for everyone, even when the hair loss looks similar.
This guide compares PRP (platelet-rich plasma) with more traditional hair loss treatments, including what each option can realistically do, where each one falls short, and how many clinics build effective combination plans.
What is PRP for Hair Loss?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, and it is a treatment made from a small sample of your own blood. The blood is spun in a machine so the helpful part, called platelets, is separated and concentrated. Platelets have natural healing signals that can support the scalp and hair roots. Then the PRP is placed into the thinning areas of the scalp with small injections. Over time, this may help reduce shedding and make hair look thicker in people who are good candidates, especially when hair loss is still in the early stages.
What Counts as Traditional Hair Loss Treatment?
Most evidence-based, widely used treatments for hair loss fall into these categories:
- Medications (topical or oral): Treatments applied to the scalp or taken by mouth to slow hair loss or help regrow hair.
- Energy-based devices (laser and light therapy): Devices that use light to stimulate the scalp and support healthier hair growth.
- Surgery (hair transplantation): A procedure that moves hair follicles from thicker areas to thinning or bald areas.
- Camouflage/support: Ways to make hair look fuller using products, scalp “dot” tattooing, or hairstyling tricks.
PRP is different. It is a regenerative treatment that uses the patient’s own blood components, and it is often used as a standalone option for early thinning or as an add-on to improve results.
Traditional Option 1: Minoxidil
What it is: Minoxidil is a medication applied to the scalp (and sometimes used orally off-label in select cases) to support hair growth. Minoxidil (2% and 5% solutions/foam) is FDA-approved for androgenetic alopecia in men and women.
Benefits
- Widely available, well-studied, and commonly used as a primary option
- Can help slow shedding and support regrowth in androgenetic alopecia
- Works for both men and women (topical forms)
Limitations
- Requires consistency, and benefits typically take months
- Results tend to fade if use stops
- Some people see scalp irritation or unwanted facial hair growth depending on product and application
Best fit: Early to moderate pattern thinning, especially when patients are willing to commit to long-term maintenance.
Traditional Option 2: Finasteride
What it is: Finasteride is a prescription medication that reduces dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a key driver of male pattern hair loss in genetically susceptible men. The FDA label for Propecia (finasteride 1 mg) states it is indicated for male pattern hair loss in men only and is not indicated for women.
Benefits
- Strong evidence base for slowing male pattern hair loss
- Useful for stabilizing loss, especially at the crown and mid-scalp
Limitations
- Not indicated for women on the FDA label, and it has pregnancy-related warnings
- Some patients experience side effects; the Propecia label lists sexual adverse events such as decreased libido and erectile dysfunction occurring in a small percentage of users in clinical trials
- Requires ongoing use to maintain benefit, and discontinuation can reverse effects over time
Best fit: Men with androgenetic alopecia who want a medication-based approach and can be appropriately screened and monitored.
Traditional Option 3: Low-level Laser and Light Therapy
What it is: Low-level laser or light therapy (often marketed as laser caps/helmets) uses red light to stimulate the scalp. Several devices have received FDA clearance for androgenetic alopecia.
Benefits
- Non-drug option that some patients prefer
- Can be used alongside medications or PRP
- Often minimal downtime and low daily disruption
Limitations
- Requires consistent, repeated sessions to maintain results
- Effect size varies and depends on device, frequency, and patient factors
- Not a substitute for medical evaluation if shedding is sudden or severe
Best fit: Patients seeking a non-drug add-on, or patients who prefer a device-based routine as part of a combination plan.
Traditional Option 4: Hair Transplantation
What it is: Surgical redistribution of hair follicles from donor areas (often the back/sides of scalp) to thinning areas.
Benefits
- Most definitive option for restoring hair in areas where follicles are no longer active
- Can create meaningful cosmetic change, especially for advanced loss
Limitations
- Surgery, cost, and downtime
- Results depend on donor density, surgical planning, and ongoing stabilization of native hair
- Many patients still use medical therapies to protect existing hair and optimize long-term outcomes
Best fit: Moderate to advanced pattern hair loss, especially when medication and non-surgical approaches are not enough on their own.
What the Research Says about PRP for Androgenetic Alopecia
Evidence for PRP has grown, especially for androgenetic alopecia. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials reported that PRP increased hair density at 3 and 6 months compared with placebo, with no serious adverse reactions reported in the included trials.
That does not mean PRP is a guaranteed solution. Protocols vary between clinics, including platelet concentration, injection technique, session frequency, and maintenance schedules. Results also depend heavily on whether follicles are still active and whether the hair loss pattern is treatable with stimulation-based therapies.
PRP vs Traditional Treatments
PRP tends to be effective when:
- Hair loss is early or moderate and follicles are still active
- Patients want a drug-free approach or want to reduce reliance on daily medications
- The goal is improved density, thickness, and overall hair quality over time
- A combination plan is acceptable, such as PRP plus minoxidil or laser therapy
Traditional treatments tend to shine when:
- There is a clear diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia and a desire for first-line options
- Budget favors a lower-cost monthly routine over procedure-based care
- The plan includes long-term maintenance and realistic timelines
Where both approaches have limitations:
- Neither PRP nor medications turn back the clock completely, and genetics and aging still matter
- Results take time, and inconsistent use leads to inconsistent outcomes
- Advanced bald areas without active follicles often require surgical solutions instead of stimulation-based therapies
Common Combination Therapies
In many clinics, the most reliable results often come from combining therapies based on diagnosis and tolerance. For example:
- Minoxidil and PRP: Supports both follicle stimulation and a consistent at-home regimen.
- Finasteride (men) and PRP: Helps lower DHT hormone that causes male-pattern hair loss and supports thicker-looking hair.
- Laser/light therapy and PRP: A non-drug combination plan for patients who prefer procedural and device-based care.
- Hair transplant and PRP: PRP may be used along with a transplant to support healing and strengthen nearby thinning hair, depending on provider preference and patient goals.
Stubborn hair loss sometimes requires trying different treatments before finding what works, and the results often take months.
What Patients Should Know Before Choosing PRP or Traditional Treatments
1. Timelines are slow by design
Hair cycles are slow. Most evidence-based hair regrowth approaches require months of consistent treatment before meaningful improvement is visible.
2. Maintenance matters
Hair loss treatments are typically maintenance-based. Medications require ongoing use, and PRP often requires follow-up sessions to help maintain gains depending on the individual plan.
3. Safety and candidacy are real considerations
Medications have defined risk profiles, and PRP requires a healthy platelet count and an appropriate scalp condition. A consultation should cover health history, current medications, and realistic expectations.
4. The best plan is the one that matches diagnosis and lifestyle
A plan that is too complicated or too expensive to maintain often fails, even if it is medically sound. Sustainable routines tend to outperform perfect plans that are not followed.
PRP Hair Restoration in Seattle
PRP In Seattle offers PRP services across Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland. If you’re comparing PRP to traditional hair loss treatments, the next step is usually a diagnosis-focused consultation that clarifies the type of hair loss, the degree of follicle miniaturization, and which combination plan best fits the patient’s goals and tolerance for maintenance. Call us at (206) 279-2112 to book a consultation.
FAQs
Does PRP actually work for hair loss?
PRP can help reduce shedding and improve hair thickness for many people with early to moderate hair thinning, especially pattern hair loss, but results vary by individual.
How much does PRP for hair loss cost?
The cost depends on the clinic, provider expertise, treatment area, and the number of sessions needed to reach and maintain results.
How painful is the PRP procedure?
PRP injections are usually mildly to moderately uncomfortable, but numbing options can make the treatment more tolerable.
How long does PRP last for hair?
Results often last several months, but maintenance sessions are commonly recommended to help sustain improvements over time.
Read more:
What to Expect During and After a PRP Hair Restoration Treatment
