PRP Injections for Thinning Hair: What Trials in Women Show and What It Costs

PRP, short for platelet-rich plasma, is offered by dermatology practices, med spas and hair clinics as a treatment for thinning hair. It’s usually sold as a package of sessions, and it’s rarely cheap. Here is what the treatment involves, what studies in women have found, and the questions to ask before you pay.

What happens at a session

A small amount of your blood is drawn and spun in a machine that separates it into parts. The platelet-rich portion is then injected into the thinning areas of your scalp. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)¹ says the procedure takes about 10 minutes and usually needs no downtime.¹

You don’t get one session and done. The AAD says most patients return once a month for three months, then once every three to six months. Within the first few months, some people notice they’re shedding less.¹

What trials in women found

The studies are small, and they use different ways of preparing the plasma, which makes them hard to compare.

• PRP versus saline. In a 2020 trial of 30 women with female pattern hair loss, women got injections at weeks 0, 4 and 8. At 24 weeks, blinded photo reviewers judged 57% of the PRP group improved, compared with 7% of the saline group.²
• PRP versus minoxidil. In a 2020 pilot trial, 20 women tried both treatments for 12 weeks each. Both increased hair counts, but the authors concluded PRP was not as effective as minoxidil, although women reported better quality of life after PRP.³
• Pooled results. A 2025 meta-analysis of nine randomized trials with 451 men and women found no significant difference in hair density between PRP and minoxidil. People were more satisfied with PRP, and the authors called for larger, standardized trials.⁴

The AAD’s page on female pattern hair loss says researchers are just beginning to study PRP for this condition, and more studies are needed to know whether it’s safe and effective.⁵

Where it fits

The AAD calls minoxidil the most-recommended treatment for female pattern hair loss, and 2% and 5% products are FDA-approved for women.⁵ Our guide to topical minoxidil covers the choices. Some dermatologists offer PRP alongside other treatments, so ask whether it would replace or add to what you’re already using.

PRP studies mostly involve pattern hair loss. Thinning from thyroid problems, low iron, a recent illness or tight hairstyles has other causes to address first. Our article on why hair thins walks through them.

The cost

On its page about PRP for skin, the AAD says insurance doesn’t cover PRP given to improve appearance, and estimates each U.S. session at $250 to $1,500.⁶ With three starter sessions and regular follow-ups, your first year will likely include five or more sessions. Ask for the full first-year price in writing, along with what happens if you stop.

Safety questions to ask

The AAD says PRP itself appears safe, with some pain, bruising and swelling that tends to fade within a few days.⁶ Side effects in the 2020 trial included headache, scalp tightness, swelling, redness and bleeding after injection.²

The AAD notes the biggest risks come from how your blood is handled: it must be kept sterile, and the facility should make sure the plasma injected is your own.⁶ On that same page, the AAD says PRP isn’t recommended for people with hepatitis C, HIV, a blood cancer, or heart disease that requires a blood thinner.⁶

Before you book, ask:

1. Who diagnosed my hair loss? Make sure the type has been identified first.
2. Who does the injections, and is a board-certified dermatologist involved?
3. How is my blood processed and labeled so I only receive my own?
4. How many sessions, how often, and at what total cost?
5. How will we measure results? Ask for dated photos in the same light at the start and every few months.

Try: “I have thinning at my part and I’m already using minoxidil. Would PRP add anything for my type of hair loss, and what would a year of treatment cost?”

Hair, Everywhere includes a Hair Check and a monthly Hair Log. Use them to record your treatments and take dated photos of your part, so you can tell after several months whether PRP is earning its price. See the book.