You're looking for something to combat hair loss and eventually come across PRP. A skin clinic or dermatologist draws some blood, spins it in a centrifuge, and injects it back into your scalp. It sounds like something out of a science fiction story, and the price reflects that: often 300 to 700 euros per session, and you usually need several.
The question you probably have is: is it worth the money, or is it mostly an expensive placebo with a scientific-sounding story around it? The answer is less exciting than you might want: a little bit of both. Research has been done, and the results are not insignificant, but they are also not what the glossy brochures of clinics lead you to believe.
What exactly is PRP?
PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. The treatment works as follows: a small amount of blood is drawn, roughly the same amount as for a blood test. That blood goes into a centrifuge, which separates it into layers. From this, they extract the layer with the highest concentration of platelets, and they inject it with a thin needle into your scalp, usually in the areas where your hair is thinning.
Platelets are full of growth factors, proteins with names like PDGF, VEGF, TGF beta, and EGF. These growth factors play a role in tissue repair and stimulating blood vessels. The idea behind PRP: these growth factors signal the hair follicle to become more active, resulting in increased blood flow, a longer growth phase, and potentially thicker hair.
What the research says
PRP has been used for some time in sports medicine for injuries and has also become popular for hair loss in recent years. A fair amount of research has been done on it, including studies that can be taken seriously.
A 2024 meta-analysis compiled 14 randomized studies with a total of 431 participants with hereditary hair loss. The conclusion: PRP led to an average increase of approximately 27 hairs per square centimeter compared to a placebo treatment. This is a measurable effect, not a coincidence, but also not a stunning transformation.
A larger 2025 meta-analysis, which combined 43 studies with almost 1900 participants, came to a similar conclusion: moderate evidence that PRP improves hair density, reduces hair loss, and satisfies users. The researchers noted that the quality of the studies varies widely and that the evidence is not equally strong for every protocol.
The effect is real but moderate, and it strongly depends on how often and how well the treatment is performed.
How often should you do it?
Most clinics use a protocol of at least three treatments, approximately once a month, especially in the first three months. This is often followed by a maintenance phase with treatments every few months, especially in the first year. Stopping after one session makes little sense: most studies measure the effect after repeated treatments, not after a single injection.
This means the costs quickly add up. At 300 to 700 euros per session and at least three to four sessions in the first year, you quickly reach 1000 to 2000 euros, without insurance companies covering this.
Side effects and pain
PRP is generally considered safe because it is your own blood that is reinjected. There is no risk of an allergic reaction to a foreign substance. The most reported side effects: slight pain during injections, small blood spots, redness, and sometimes some swelling. These usually disappear within a few days.
Many people find the treatment less unpleasant than they expected. It's not a pleasure, but it's not torture either.
When will you see results?
As with other hair loss treatments, don't expect to see a difference after the first session. Hair grows slowly, and the hair growth cycle takes months. Most studies measure effects after three to six months, after the initial series of treatments. Anyone who concludes after one PRP session that it does nothing is making that conclusion too soon.
Even after a successful course of treatment, the results are not permanent without maintenance. PRP does not address the underlying cause of hereditary hair loss: if you stop the treatments completely, the benefit will gradually disappear over time. This is not a reason to forgo the treatment, but it is something to consider in your expectations and budget.
When choosing a clinic, also pay attention to who performs the treatment. A doctor or nurse specialist with experience in this specific treatment makes a difference, as does the quality of the equipment used to process the blood. Not every PRP treatment is the same: a cheaper provider sometimes uses a less concentrated preparation than what was tested in the studies.
Who can benefit?
PRP appears to be most effective in men with early to moderate hereditary hair loss, where the follicles are still active but weakening. As with minoxidil, a derma roller, or red light therapy, the more advanced the baldness, the less there is to stimulate. For completely bald spots where follicles have produced nothing for years, PRP will do little.
It is also an option for men who do not want to use medication, for example due to side effects of finasteride or dutasteride. PRP does not interfere with DHT, so it is not a substitute for these agents if DHT sensitivity is the primary cause of your hair loss. It acts more as an additional stimulant than a solution for the underlying cause.
Combining PRP with other treatments
Clinics regularly combine PRP with microneedling to improve absorption into the scalp. This is essentially the same principle as using a derma roller at home, but with a professional needle setting and in combination with the injections themselves.
If you find the cost of PRP too high, or want to see if a cheaper approach makes a difference first, you can start with a daily routine of a Hairborn Growth Serum, possibly supplemented with the Hairborn Derma Roller once a week. This costs a fraction of a PRP course of treatment and is a logical starting point before investing in a clinic treatment.
In short
PRP is neither nonsense nor a miracle cure. Studies show a real but moderate effect, especially with early hair loss, and the treatment is generally safe. However, the costs add up, you need multiple sessions, and it is not a substitute for other products if DHT is the main cause of your hair loss.
Are you unsure whether to spend your money on this? Then start with the cheaper and well-researched basics first: a serum and possibly a derma roller. If you still have budget left and want to take an extra step, PRP is a reasonably well-supported option to consider at a dermatologist or clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have PRP done if you are taking blood thinners?
Always discuss this in advance with the treating physician, as blood thinners can increase the risk of bruising or prolonged bleeding at the injection sites. The treatment itself does not have to be an absolute contraindication, but it requires careful coordination.
Is PRP more painful than a dermaroller session?
The experience varies per person, but many people describe PRP as similar or slightly more painful than a dermaroller, due to the injections with a needle instead of superficial micro-punctures. Some clinics use anesthesia to make it more comfortable.
Can you perform a PRP-like treatment yourself at home?
No, PRP requires specialized equipment to centrifuge blood and a sterile, medical environment for the injections. This is not a treatment that can be safely performed at home and should always be done by a doctor or qualified professional.
Is PRP covered by health insurance?
No, PRP for hair loss is considered a cosmetic treatment in the Netherlands and is not covered by basic insurance or most supplementary insurance policies.
Can you combine PRP with finasteride or minoxidil?
Yes, PRP works through a different mechanism than finasteride and minoxidil, so the combination is often used in practice. Discuss with your treating physician the correct order and timing if you are considering multiple treatments at the same time.
Is there an age limit for PRP treatments?
There is no strict age limit, but clinics assess individually whether the treatment is useful based on the stage of hair loss, not just age. For very young men, other, less invasive options are often considered first to see if they are sufficient.
How do you recognize a high-quality PRP clinic?
Check if the clinic employs a doctor or nurse specialist with specific PRP experience and if they are transparent about the centrifuge equipment and protocol used. Also ask about the number of treatments they deem necessary and why.
Is PRP suitable for women with hair loss?
Yes, PRP is also used in women with hair loss, and the available studies often include both men and women, with similar, moderate results.
Can you use PRP after a hair transplant?
Yes, PRP is sometimes used after a hair transplant to support recovery and stimulate the surrounding follicles. Discuss with your treating physician the best time to start this after the procedure.
How long does an average PRP session last?
An average session, including blood collection, processing in the centrifuge, and the injections themselves, usually lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the clinic and the area to be treated.
