PRP Scalp Aftercare: The First 72 Hours

For most people, recovery after PRP is short. Expect a tender, slightly swollen scalp for a day or two, wait several hours before washing your hair, and hold off on hard exercise, heat and hair products for roughly a day or longer as advised. Colour and chemical treatments usually wait several days. Spreading redness, pus, fever or severe pain are reasons to call.

What is normal after treatment

Dozens of tiny injections leave the scalp feeling a little bruised from the inside. Common, expected effects include:

• Tenderness or a dull ache, especially when you touch or brush the scalp
• Mild swelling, which can sometimes drift down to the forehead or around the eyes by the next morning
• Pinkness and pinpoint marks at injection sites
• A headache or a feeling of tightness
• A small bruise where blood was drawn from your arm

These usually peak within the first day and fade over two to three days. Some people barely notice anything after the first evening; others feel sore for longer. Both are within the normal range.

Hours 0 to 24: let the scalp settle

Washing. Most protocols ask you to wait several hours, often until the evening or the next morning, before shampooing. When you do wash, use lukewarm water, a gentle shampoo and your fingertips rather than nails. Skip vigorous scrubbing and scalp brushes.

Touching. Try not to rub, scratch or massage the treated areas. If you need to tidy your hair, use a wide-tooth comb gently.

Exercise and heat. Avoid strenuous workouts, hot yoga, saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs on the day of treatment. Heat and sweating can increase swelling and expose the injection sites to bacteria. A gentle walk is fine.

Alcohol. Many clinicians suggest avoiding alcohol for the rest of the day, as it may increase swelling and bruising.

Sleeping. Using an extra pillow to keep your head slightly raised can reduce swelling that settles around the forehead overnight. A clean pillowcase is a sensible small step.

Hours 24 to 48: easing back in

By the second day, most of the tenderness has usually eased. Light exercise can often resume, though it is wise to keep very sweaty, high-intensity sessions or contact sports for a little later if your scalp is still sore. Swimming in pools, lakes or the ocean is commonly postponed for at least 48 hours, as water can carry bacteria into the tiny puncture sites.

Hair products such as gels, sprays, dry shampoo and hair fibres can usually return about a day after treatment, provided the scalp is not irritated. If you use topical minoxidil, your physician may ask you to restart it after 24 to 48 hours. Follow the specific timing you are given, since protocols differ.

Wearing a loose hat outdoors is fine. Avoid tight headbands, helmets that press hard on tender areas, or very tight ponytails if they are uncomfortable. Protect the scalp from strong sun, particularly along a part line.

Hours 48 to 72 and beyond

By day three, most people feel back to normal. Your usual routine can generally resume, including regular exercise and styling. If swelling or tenderness is still increasing at this stage rather than fading, that is worth a call.

Hair colour, bleach, perms, relaxers and keratin treatments are usually delayed for several days after PRP, and some clinics suggest a week. These products contain strong chemicals that can sting or irritate healing skin. For more on chemical services and fragile hair, see hair dye and chemical treatments on thinning hair.

Pain relief and medications

If you need something for discomfort, acetaminophen is often suggested. Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen are commonly avoided for a few days, because they may interfere with platelet activity. A cool compress wrapped in a cloth, held gently against the scalp, can also help. Avoid placing ice directly on skin.

Keep taking all prescribed medications as usual. If you have questions about whether one of them affects your treatment, ask the physician or your own doctor rather than stopping it.

Signs that need a call

Serious problems after PRP are uncommon, but contact the clinic or seek medical care if you notice:

• Redness, warmth or swelling that spreads or worsens after the second day
• Pus, crusting with yellow discharge, or a bad smell from the scalp
• Fever or chills
• Severe pain that is not eased by simple measures
• Numbness or tingling that does not improve
• A large, swollen bruise at the blood draw site, or bleeding that does not stop with pressure

Sudden, severe headache, vision changes or signs of an allergic reaction such as hives or trouble breathing need emergency care.

Looking ahead

Do not expect visible changes in the first weeks. Some people notice extra shedding in the month after a session, which usually settles. Improvement, if it comes, is gradual and is often judged three to six months after the starting series. Keep your next appointments, take note of any questions and see how many PRP sessions and when you might see results for a longer timeline.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go to work the next day?

Usually, yes. Most people return to desk work right away. If your job involves heavy physical effort, heat or dirty environments, ask about timing.

My forehead is puffy the morning after. Is that a problem?

Swelling that moves down from the scalp is common and usually fades within a day or two. Sleeping slightly propped up can help.

Is it normal to see more hair in the drain after a session?

It can be. A temporary increase in shedding in the weeks after PRP is reported by some people and usually settles on its own. If shedding is heavy, lasts more than a couple of months, or comes with patches or scalp changes, mention it at your next visit so the diagnosis and plan can be reviewed.

When can I wear a helmet for cycling or hockey?

Once the scalp is no longer tender, often after a day or two. Safety comes first, so wear it if you ride, even if a little sore.

If you have questions about recovering from PRP or would like to talk through whether it fits your hair loss, HealthPark Medical Aesthetics can review your situation and aftercare plan with you at a consultation.