PRP vs. HAIR TRANSPLANT: Choosing the right fix for thinning hair

PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. This therapy may sound extremely futuristic but essentially it is just your body helping itself. PRP is a non-surgical, regenerative procedure which involves drawing a small amount of blood, spinning it into a centrifuge before injecting the platelet rich plasma into the scalp. These platelets are packed with multiple growth factors that help in stimulating the dormant follicles which ultimately help in improving the scalp health.
In 2015, the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery conducted a study in which they reported that PRP injections led upto 30-40% increase in the overall hair density within three months, in men with androgenetic alopecia. Backing this up, another trial in 2020 revealed that PRP helps in improving both hair count as well as its thickness especially when combined with standard treatments like minoxidil. A Mumbai- based dermatologist, Dr.Aparna Santhanan explains, “PRP is not magic because it does not give new hair overnight. But what it actually does is improve the hair quality of the patients who are consistent. It is seen as a highly effective method for patients with early thinning stages.
Overall, PRP results are not permanent. Most of the patients need maintenance sessions every 6-12 months. Also, the effectiveness of this treatment varies depending on the age, genetics and the stage of hair loss.
Think of PRP like a gardener watering the existing plants and hair transplant like landscaping your garden. Now scientifically speaking, what surgeons do in a hair transplant surgery is that they move healthy follicles from the back of the scalp, where the hair is genetically resistant to balding to the areas of thinning.
There are two popular techniques for hair transplantation-

• Follicular Hair Transplantation (FUT)
• Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

FUE is more common in today’s day and age because of its faster healing process with minimal scarring as compared to FUT which involves a strip of scalp removed, follicles dissected and then finally implanted. Supporting this statement, International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) conducted a study revealing that 87% of their hair restoration procedures were done using FUE in 2022.
Want to know a big advantage? It is usually a one-time solution. With good donor hair, the survival rates of the grafts are quite high i.e. between 80-90% and the results last for decades. A hair restoration expert in Mumbai, Dr. Rajesh Rajput claims that if you have already lost a lot of hair then PRP won’t bring it back but transplant on the other hand is the only option left to restore hairline and volume.

• PROS:

1. PRP is minimally invasive.
2. Helps to improve hair thickness.
3. It is a safe bet and has a low downtime.

• CONS:

1. PRP Therapy requires repeated sessions.
2. Works best only for patients in early thinning.
3. Not at all effective for bald patches.

• PROS:

1. Hair transplant is a viable long-term solution.
2. It helps to restore the natural hairline.
3. Shows dramatic improvement in the hair density.

• CONS:

1. Hair transplant is an expensive surgical treatment.
2. It offers downtime of 1-2 weeks only.
3. It also requires a good donor area, which is difficult to find.

Patients require 3-6 sessions of PRP per year with the costs ranging from ₹5000 and ₹10,000.
On the other side, hair transplants can cost anywhere between ₹80,000 and ₹2,50,000 depending on the number of grafts required.
Though, Hair transplants are pricier but people see it as a long-term investment because of its promising results. Interestingly, a study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open conducted in 2020 showed that patients who received PRP during their transplant surgery had better follicles as well as faster hair growth.
The key is starting early and setting realistic expectations while selecting either treatments on the basis of an individual’s stage. Whether you choose a natural low-risk option, PRP for early thinning or hair transplant for lasting and dramatic outcomes or both combined, remember that full commitment, maintenance and consistency is the key. The goal is the same: not just more hair, but more confidence.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which is better for hair loss, PRP or hair transplant?
   PRP is best for early thinning and improving hair quality, while a hair transplant is the only long-term solution for bald patches and advanced hair loss.
2. Is PRP therapy permanent for hair growth?
   No, PRP results are temporary and usually require maintenance every 6–12 months to sustain hair density and thickness.
3. How long do hair transplants last?
   A successful hair transplant typically lasts for decades since transplanted hair follicles are resistant to balding.
4. What is the cost difference between PRP and hair transplant in India?
   PRP sessions cost around ₹5,000-₹10,000 each, while hair transplants range from ₹80,000 to ₹2,50,000 depending on grafts.
5. Can PRP and hair transplant be combined for better results?
   Yes, studies show combining PRP with a hair transplant improves graft survival and speeds up hair regrowth.