Last updated: October 31, 2026 · Written by Juan · Researched using a 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials, NHS guidance and a clinic-published guide to PRP protocols and prices (linked below)
This article is educational only. It is not medical advice, and I am not a doctor. PRP and hair transplants treat different problems, and a qualified surgeon or dermatologist needs to assess your hair loss before recommending either. See our Editorial Policy for how we research and update our articles.
This comparison comes up constantly, and it deserves a more precise answer than “PRP is the cheaper alternative to a transplant”. In most cases they are not alternatives at all: they solve different problems.
The short version
A hair transplant moves living follicles into an area where hair has been lost. PRP aims to improve hair that is still there by stimulating follicles that are weakened but still alive. It cannot create hair where no living follicles remain. That difference explains most of what follows.
What PRP is
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. A small amount of your blood is taken and spun to concentrate the platelets, and the concentrate is injected into the scalp. The idea is that growth factors released by the platelets help follicles that are still active but producing thinner hair.
What the evidence shows
The evidence is encouraging but not settled. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized trials, published in Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, found that PRP increased hair density in pattern hair loss compared with placebo, by about 27.5 hairs per square centimeter on average. However:
- The authors rated the certainty of that finding as low, with very large differences between studies.
- They found no clear improvement in hair thickness (shaft diameter).
- They saw signs of possible publication bias, meaning positive studies may be more likely to be published.
- They called for more high-quality randomized trials.
In short, PRP may help thicken hair you still have, but the quality of the evidence is limited, and it is not a way to regrow hair on scalp that has been bald for years.
Why PRP cannot replace a transplant for established baldness
PRP needs living follicles to act on. Where an area has been fully bald for a long time, there is little or nothing left for it to stimulate. That is why PRP is usually discussed for:
- Early thinning, where follicles are shrinking but still alive.
- Native hair around a transplanted area.
- Slowing further loss alongside other treatments, rather than reversing loss that is complete.
For the main medical treatments, the NHS describes minoxidil and finasteride as the main options for male pattern baldness. See our comparison of medication and transplants.
Cost and commitment
| PRP | Hair transplant | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Aims to strengthen hair that is still growing | Moves living follicles into thinning or bald areas |
| Typical course | Three sessions about four weeks apart is the most common protocol in studies, according to Acibadem International, with boosters every three to six months | Usually one procedure, sometimes a second later |
| Price | About €130 to €400 per session in Turkey, £150 to £600 in the UK and $400 to $1,500 in the US, according to the same guide | Much higher up front; see our cost guide |
| Downtime | Usually little or none | Days to weeks of visible recovery; see our recovery timeline |
| Works on fully bald skin? | Generally no | Yes, if there is enough donor hair |
The same guide notes that PRP is almost always treated as a cosmetic treatment and is generally not covered by the NHS or by insurers.
Using both together
Many clinics offer PRP alongside a transplant, either around the time of surgery or afterwards to support the native hair around the grafts. Some packages include it and others sell it as an extra; see our guide to what Turkish packages include. The evidence summarized above is for PRP on its own, so if it is offered with surgery, ask your surgeon what evidence supports it in your case and what it adds to the price.
Which option fits which situation
PRP alone may make sense for:
- Early thinning where hair is shrinking but not gone.
- People who are not ready for, or not suitable for, surgery.
- Maintenance alongside medication, if you accept that the evidence is limited.
A transplant makes more sense for:
- Areas that are already bald.
- People who want a largely one-time, permanent addition of hair. Our guide to who is a good candidate explains what surgeons look for.
- Goals that need new follicles, such as rebuilding a hairline.
Frequently asked questions
How many PRP sessions are needed? Studies most often use three sessions about four weeks apart, with results measured three to six months after the first, according to Acibadem International. Ask your provider which protocol they use and why.
Can PRP regrow hair on a completely bald scalp? Generally no, because it needs living follicles to work on.
Is PRP approved for hair loss? Be cautious if a clinic suggests PRP is formally approved for regrowing hair. Ask exactly what approval it means, and remember that the review above rated the evidence as low certainty.
Is PRP worth adding to a transplant? It depends on the price and your surgeon’s reasons. It is not automatically necessary. Our article on whether a transplant is worth it covers the wider decision.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified, licensed surgeon or dermatologist about which option fits your hair loss.
Sources consulted: Is autologous platelet-rich plasma capable of increasing hair density in androgenic alopecia? (An Bras Dermatol, 2024); Acibadem International: PRP hair treatment cost and sessions; NHS: Hair loss treatments.