PRP has gained attention in various medical and aesthetic fields for its potential regenerative properties. But can PRP treat hair loss?
While PRP is not FDA-cleared for hair loss treatment, hair restoration doctors may legally prescribe PRP off-label to treat hair loss. Clinical studies and early observations show that PRP therapy may be effective in treating hair loss in certain patients.
Here’s everything you need to know about PRP and hair loss.
What is PRP?
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is a concentrated solution derived from your own blood, consisting of your body’s own plasma and platelets, a type of blood cell that supports healing, tissue repair, and cell regeneration.
PRP therapy involves injecting a patient’s own platelet-rich plasma to accelerate the healing process in a targeted area. It’s a non-surgical, relatively new treatment that is currently gaining popularity as a medical treatment, especially in sports and aesthetic medicine.
Is PRP FDA-Approved to Treat Hair Loss?
No. PRP is not FDA-approved for any specific indications.
Why? PRP is considered an “autologous product,” meaning it’s made from the patient’s own blood and used the same day of its preparation. Under current FDA regulations, PRP does not follow FDA’s traditional regulatory pathway and is technically exempt.
That said, many PRP preparation systems are FDA-cleared, with the intended use being to enhance bone graft handling properties. The use of PRP outside this setting, such as injections in a medical clinic, is considered “off-label.”
Can PRP treat hair loss?
So, can PRP treat hair loss? Well, again, PRP is not currently FDA-cleared for hair loss treatment. However, some hair restoration doctors may prescribe PRP off-label to treat hair loss.
PRP can legally be prescribed off-label by doctors using their independent medical judgment. The FDA condones this – according to the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, clinicians may use a product off-label if they are well-informed about the product, base its use on firm scientific rationale and medical evidence, and maintain records of the product’s use and effects.
PRP is sometimes used off-label in combination with FDA-proven hair loss solutions like finasteride, minoxidil, or low-level laser therapy to treat hair loss.
Many clinical studies and industry professionals report promising findings regarding PRP and hair loss:
- A randomized placebo-controlled trial found that PRP injections had positive effects on male pattern hair loss over the course of two years, without any observed major side effects.
- One scholarly literature review observed significant evidence supporting the efficacy of PRP in hair restoration, as well as skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and fat grafting.
- The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery identifies PRP as “a growth factor-based treatment for hair loss that falls under the regenerative medicine umbrella” that “may decrease shedding or result in thicker-looking hair.”
- This review of recent clinical studies affirmed that while further study is needed to achieve maximum therapeutic efficiency, PRP can be used to treat androgenetic alopecia and female pattern hair loss either on its own or with conventional hair restoration methods.
Learn More about PRP and Hair Loss
As America’s #1 Hair Restoration Experts®, Bosley offers both surgical and non-surgical solutions to restore your hair and confidence.
Speak with a Bosley physician to find out whether PRP is right for you. Book a free consultation with a Bosley hair restoration expert today to learn more.
