What to Expect at a PRP Hair Session

A PRP hair session usually takes about an hour from start to finish. A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm, spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and then injected into thinning areas of your scalp with a fine needle. Most people return to normal activities the same day, with some scalp tenderness for a day or two.

Before your appointment

Your first PRP visit should follow a consultation where the cause of your hair loss is assessed and your medical history is reviewed. That review is when the physician checks for reasons PRP might not be safe for you, such as a bleeding disorder, low platelets, active infection, pregnancy, certain cancers, or blood-thinning medication.

In the days before treatment, you may be given instructions like these:

• Eat a normal meal and drink plenty of water beforehand, which makes the blood draw easier and lowers the chance of feeling faint
• Wash your hair the night before or that morning, and skip styling products, gels and sprays
• Avoid alcohol for a day or so before treatment
• Ask whether to pause over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkillers or supplements such as fish oil, which may affect platelets
• Continue all prescribed medication unless your own doctor advises otherwise

Let the clinic know if you have had a cold sore outbreak on the scalp, a recent illness, or any new scalp rash.

Step 1: Check-in and baseline photos

At the start, your health questions are reviewed again and consent is confirmed. Standardised photos of your scalp are often taken from the same angles at each visit. These photos are the most reliable way to track change over months, since day-to-day impressions in the mirror are unreliable. You may also be asked how much shedding you have noticed recently and whether anything has changed since your consultation, such as a new medication or illness.

Step 2: The blood draw

A small sample of blood is taken from a vein in your arm, much like routine blood work. The volume is modest, and most people tolerate it well. If you tend to feel woozy with needles, say so; you can lie down for the draw.

Step 3: Preparing the PRP

The blood tube is placed in a centrifuge, which spins it to separate red cells from plasma. The platelet-rich layer is then drawn off into syringes. This step takes several minutes, and you can relax while it is done. The exact process depends on the system used, which is something you are welcome to ask about. The sample stays labelled and in view of the treating team, and it is used only for you during that visit. It is not stored for later sessions, so each treatment involves a fresh blood draw.

Step 4: Scalp injections

The scalp is cleaned with an antiseptic. The physician then injects small amounts of PRP just under the skin across the thinning areas, in a grid-like pattern. The injection part typically takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how much area is treated.

Comfort varies. Many people describe a series of quick pinches with a sense of pressure, and the hairline and crown can be more sensitive than other areas. Measures that may be offered include:

• Cooling the scalp with a cold pack or a cool-air device
• Vibration near the injection site to distract the nerves
• A local anaesthetic in selected cases, or a nerve block given by the physician
• Short breaks if you need them

Topical numbing creams are less effective through hair, but your physician can discuss what suits you. It helps to tell the team how you are doing as the injections go along, since adjustments can often be made. Once the injections are finished, any blood spots are gently cleaned and you can usually leave within a few minutes.

Aftercare: the first few days

Afterwards, your scalp may feel tender, tight or slightly swollen, and you may see small spots of blood or redness. Swelling sometimes drifts toward the forehead the next day and settles on its own. Typical aftercare advice includes:

• Avoid washing your hair for several hours, or until the next day if advised
• Use a gentle shampoo and lukewarm water at first
• Skip hair dye, chemical treatments and harsh products for a few days
• Avoid hot tubs, saunas, swimming and heavy exercise for about a day
• Limit alcohol for a day or so
• Use acetaminophen for discomfort if it is safe for you, and ask before using anti-inflammatory painkillers
• Avoid tight hats and firm massage of the scalp for a day

When to contact the clinic

Call the clinic if you notice increasing redness, warmth, pus, swelling that keeps getting worse after two days, fever, or severe or worsening pain. Persistent numbness, or a bruise that is spreading quickly, should also be checked. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency department.

A first session is usually part of a series. For typical spacing and when change might be seen, read how many PRP sessions you may need. If you are still deciding whether PRP is right for you, PRP for hair loss: how it works covers the evidence.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive home afterwards?

Most people can drive themselves. If you felt faint during the blood draw or received a nerve block, it is wise to wait a little before leaving or arrange a ride.

Can I go back to work the same day?

Usually, yes. Hair generally hides the injection marks, though a small amount of redness or pinpoint bleeding can be visible along the hairline for a day.

Will I need to cut or shave my hair?

No. Hair is parted in sections to reach the scalp, and no shaving is needed.

Should I keep using my other hair treatments?

Many people continue their usual treatment, but some topical products are paused for a day or so before and after. Follow the specific instructions you are given.

If you would like to know more about how a PRP appointment would work for you, a consultation at HealthPark Medical Aesthetics is a chance to ask questions, review your health history, and decide without pressure whether it is a good fit.