Innovative hair growth therapies have emerged in the past years, hoping to ease the burden of over 85% of men [1] and 55% of women [2] who experience hair loss at some point in life. PRP hair treatments have been studied and used to treat androgenetic alopecia and other kinds of hair thinning for the past years.
However, a new and potentially improved treatment option has recently become available: PRF for hair loss. This article will tell you all you need to know about platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and its uses in helping regrow your hair, such as:
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an innovative non-surgical hair restoration treatment which uses elements from your own blood to curb your alopecia and support new hair growth [3]. This therapy is similar to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hair treatments, but it is obtained through a slightly different process and has a different composition.
PRF treatment for hair loss is obtained by extracting a small quantity of blood from your arm and placing it inside a centrifuge. When it comes to PRP, an anticoagulant is added to obtain a good separation of the blood fractions, but PRF does not use anticoagulants. This results in the formation of a fibrin clot in the test tube during centrifugation This PRF clot contains platelets, leukocytes (white blood cells) and fibrin (a polymeric protein released by platelets during coagulation). So basically, PRF is a blood clot enriched with platelets. [3][4]. The PRF is then injected into the thinning areas of your scalp.
PRF contains beneficial components that promote hair follicle regeneration and stimulate hair growth, such as platelets and growth factors. But it also contains fibrin, a substance responsible for blood clotting.
Fibrin creates a sort of natural mesh or scaffolding that holds the platelets and growth factors in place. This allows them to be slowly released over time, making them more effective in steadily repairing your damaged hair follicles and supporting the formation of new blood vessels.
While preliminary results are promising, it may be too early to tell exactly how effective PRF is for hair loss. That is because only a few small studies have been conducted to prove its effectiveness. Large-scale clinical trials are needed to determine the exact effect of PRF on pattern baldness and other types of alopecia.
However, the small studies which have been conducted have optimistic findings. Androgenetic alopecia patients of both genders treated with PRF therapy seem to experience increased hair density, reduced hair loss and some reversal of hair miniaturisation [5][6][7][8].
Moreover, PRF may also show promise for patients with certain forms of scarring alopecia. One case study showed this treatment was more effective than steroid hair loss injections in regrowing the hair of a patient with lupus-induced hair loss [9].
No. While PRF and PRP are similar, they are not the same. Both treatments involve extracting some of your blood, processing it and injecting the resulting solution into your scalp.
However, PRF is spun in the centrifuge at lower speeds, and no anticoagulant is used to process it. So while PRP only contains platelet-rich plasma, PRF also contains other blood components, such as white blood cells and fibrin. The presence of fibrin allows PRF a slower, steadier growth factor release than PRP.
Learn more about the differences between PRP and PRF for hair loss in this table:
PRF is generally considered safe, with few and temporary side effects which are very similar to those of PRP. Here are the most commonly reported [3][10]:
All these side effects normally resolve in 2-4 days post-procedure. They don’t usually require any medication to manage.
On average, a PRF hair loss treatment session costs between £250 and £350 in the UK. However, prices can vary widely, depending on the location and reputation of your chosen clinic.
Some clinics offer discounts if you purchase several sessions at the same time or if you purchase other services, such as a hair transplant.
Normally, patients require about 3-6 PRF sessions before they see hair growth results. The first sessions are often spaced 1 month apart, so the platelet-rich fibrin can work intensively to repair hair follicle damage and support healthy new hair production.
After that, depending on how extensive your hair loss is, you will likely need maintenance PRF injections every 3-6 months to preserve your long-term results.
Depending on the severity of your hair thinning, your scalp response to treatment and how often you have maintenance sessions, you can expect the effects of your PRF therapy to last anywhere between 1 and 2 years. The effects of this treatment can be prolonged and enhanced by getting refresher PRF sessions regularly (every 3-6 months, depending on your trichologist’s recommendation).
If you would like to try a different hair growth treatment, here are some of the best PRF alternatives currently available.
Minoxidil and Finasteride are widely prescribed, MHRA-approved medications that can curb your hair loss and improve your hair density.
Minoxidil works by dilating the small blood vessels in your scalp, allowing improved blood flow to your hair follicles. It is effective in a number of conditions, including male or female pattern baldness, alopecia areata, or telogen effluvium [11].
Finasteride only works against androgenetic alopecia, but it is very effective in curbing it. It works by reducing the levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in your blood [12]. However, premenopausal women can’t use Finasteride, because it can cause birth defects and hormonal imbalances.
As previously discussed, PRP therapy is quite similar to PRF treatment. They both improve your hair growth by relying on growth factors released by platelets. However, PRP releases all these growth factors faster, while PRF releases them slowly, over time. This means that while PRP releases a higher concentration of growth factors, PRF effects should last longer.
PRP has been tested more extensively than PRF. Many studies confirm its effectiveness, which appears to be similar (or even slightly superior) to that of Minoxidil 5% [13]. PRP hair treatments have proven themselves effective in treating several conditions, such as androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium and traction alopecia [14][15].
If you are looking for innovative, cutting-edge therapies, you may be interested in a stem cell hair treatment. This treatment involves harvesting stem cells from certain areas of the human body (such as fat tissue), processing them and injecting them into the thinning areas on your scalp.
While research into this procedure is still in its early days, preliminary results are promising. Since stem cells have the unique ability to transform into different types of cells, they can help heal and regenerate your hair follicles [16].
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a tried and tested method of stimulating your hair follicles for hair growth. Also known as red light therapy for hair growth, it involves targeting your scalp with beams of red or near-infrared light. The light is absorbed into your scalp, optimising cell metabolism and enhancing mitochondrial efficiency [17].
LLLT also helps dilate the small blood vessels in the scalp, allowing more blood and oxygen to reach your hair follicles. These additional resources help your hair grow thicker and stronger.
While all other hair loss treatments and therapies are temporary and only last for as long as you are using them, a hair transplant is permanent. This simple, outpatient surgery is extremely effective in restoring hair fullness even in advanced forms of alopecia.
Hair restoration surgeries are increasingly popular, as they are very successful and their results are natural-looking. During the past 50 years, the Wimpole Clinic has performed thousands of such procedures with over 97% success rate. See our results for yourself in our before and after hair transplant gallery.
There are so many hair loss treatments out there that it can be difficult to know which one might work best for your type of alopecia. So the best thing you can do is to place your hair in the competent hands of seasoned professionals.
Book a consultation today with one of our top-tier trichologists. They will examine your hair and scalp thoroughly, answer all of your questions and provide you with personalised recommendations. In doing so, they ensure that you are getting the best hair loss treatment for men or the best hair loss treatment for women with your specific type of hair loss.
If you would like to find out more about PRF for hair loss, take a look at the answers to these frequently asked questions.
While this can slightly differ from one patient to another, most people start seeing less hair loss and improvements in hair growth after the first 3 PRF sessions. Since they are usually spaced 4 weeks apart, it can take at least 2-3 months before you see your first results.
No, neither PRP nor PRF are currently FDA-approved for hair loss. However, that does not mean they are unsafe or ineffective. But more large-scale clinical trials are needed to prove their effectiveness and meet the necessary criteria for FDA approval.
At this time, there is insufficient research to determine the effect of PRF treatment on alopecia areata. One case study [18] shows that a man who developed alopecia areata after a COVID-19 infection achieved complete resolution within 6 months, having received 2 sessions of PRF.
However, many patients with this condition go into spontaneous remission within a year of onset. So further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of PRF against alopecia areata.
No, unfortunately, PRF does not provide a cure for baldness. Depending on your type of alopecia, personal characteristics, and how often you get top-up treatments, PRF results in terms of improved hair density and thickness can last 1-2 years. Getting regular maintenance sessions can refresh and enhance this effect and make it last longer.
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