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The Ultimate Guide to PRF Treatments for Hair Restoration

  • 6 min read

Guide:

What is PRF Hair Treatment?

Hair loss affects men and women of all ages and can worsen over time if left untreated. Genetics, stress, and alopecia areata can all impact how much hair we lose and how fast it goes.

The good news is that, if you want to, there are options to fight back against hair loss. You may have heard of the surgical option, hair transplants, but there is a relatively new hair restoration treatment that can treat hair loss or thinning without surgery. 

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) hair restoration is a cutting-edge non-surgical treatment that uses your body’s healing power to regrow hair. 

Before PRF came around, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was gaining popularity as a non-surgical hair restoration treatment. Like a wake-up call for your scalp, PRP contains special proteins that trigger cell growth and tissue repair, getting your hair follicles back in action.

PRF takes PRP a step further. It incorporates fibrin, a clotting protein that helps keep the PRP in place and works its magic for longer.

How Does PRF Hair Treatment Work?

We take a tiny amount of your blood, like a regular blood test, during a PRF hair treatment. Then, we use a centrifuge machine to separate the PRF for about 3-10 minutes. While that’s happening, we’ll numb your scalp with a cream so the process is virtually painless. 

The centrifuge separates your blood into three components: platelet-poor plasma (we don’t need that), red blood cells (important, but not for hair growth), and platelet-rich fibrin, the gold ticket in the middle packed with all the good stuff to help your hair grow.

Finally, we inject the PRF serum into the areas where your hair is thinning. We often team it up with microneedling for an extra boost.

Aftercare & Results

You can head home right after the procedure and get back to your day. Over time, the PRF will get to work, waking up your damaged hair follicles and encouraging them to grow strong, healthy hair. It takes a little time (3-6 months) to see results, but most patients consider the results worth the wait.

For best results, we typically advise our PRF hair treatment patients to:

  • Avoid blood-thinning medications such as ibuprofen or Aleve for the week leading up to treatment
  • Not smoke
  • Avoid alcohol for at least 7 days before and after treatment
  • Hydrate as much as possible the day before
  • Wash your hair on the day of treatment
  • Steer clear of touching the treated area for at least 8 hours post-treatment
  • Not wash hair or apply pressure from the shower to the scalp for 24 hours. It’s safe to wash your hair gently after 24 hours, but continue avoiding hard pressure until 72 hours post-treatment.
  • Not touch the treatment areas for the first 3 days after injections
  • Avoid wearing hats, headbands, and even ponytails for 3 days

Cost

If you’re interested in this non-surgical hair therapy, you’re probably wondering, how much does PRF hair treatment cost? Depending on your goals and the size of your area of concern, each PRF treatment session can cost anywhere from $300 to $2,500 on average, according to RealSelf.

Number of Treatments

So, how many PRF hair restoration treatments do you need to see results? We typically recommend around four sessions, each spaced one month apart, followed by 2-3 annual maintenance treatments.

Finding a Provider

Try not to jump into PRF at an office you haven’t done much research on. This is still a fairly new therapy, so ask for PRF hair treatment before and after photos or read reviews before choosing a provider. If you’re in or around New Jersey, one of the qualified professionals at HerSpace MedSpa would be more than happy to meet and discuss if this treatment is right for you. Request a consultation and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Am I a Candidate for PRF Hair Treatment?

The sooner you start, the better. PRF works best when your hair follicles are still up for the fight. Since it’s all-natural, it’s safe for most healthy adults. PRF is a great option for both men and women experiencing hair loss, especially if you’re noticing some thinning but still have hair in the treatment area. It can even help boost and maintain results after a hair transplant. 

PRF hair restoration may not be right for you if:

  • You are currently undergoing chemo or radiation treatments
  • You have certain health conditions such as blood-clotting issues or problems with bleeding
  • You take certain blood-thinning medications
  • You’re a smoker 

PRF can be a lifesaver for different types of hair loss issues. It’s especially effective for classic patterns of baldness we see in both men and women:

Guys: Do you notice your hairline creeping up your forehead? That’s male-pattern baldness, which is super common, and PRF can help fight back.

Ladies: Is your hair thinning after pregnancy or menopause? It happens to the best of us, and PRF can be a great option to get your hair back on track.

PRF isn’t only effective for those classic cases. It can also help with hair loss caused by:

Missing key nutrients – We all need vitamins and minerals to keep our hair healthy. If you’re low on things like iron or vitamin D, PRF can help.

Hormonal deficiencies – Pregnancy, birth control, or other hormone shifts can interfere with your hair. PRF can be a natural way to support healthy hair growth.

Stress – Life throws curveballs, and sometimes our hair takes the hit. PRF can help get your hair back on track after a tough period.

Scalp issues – From infections to psoriasis, scalp problems can lead to hair loss. PRF can help treat these issues and promote healthy hair growth.

Hair pulling – Trichotillomania, or the compulsive desire to pull your hair out, is a tough condition, but PRF can help encourage hair regrowth in areas where hair has been pulled out.

Medical conditions – Certain thyroid issues or medications can affect hair growth. PRF can be a complementary treatment alongside addressing the underlying cause.

PRF Hair Treatment Side Effects

PRF for hair loss is very safe as it’s an entirely natural treatment that uses your body’s healing process and no additives to regrow your hair. With this treatment, there’s no need to worry about allergic reactions, any form of infection or complication is rare. Side effects of PRF are few and minor, such as:

  • Tenderness
  • Swelling
  • Bleeding
  • Bruising
  • Itching or scabbing
  • Headaches