There are many ways to treat the signs of hair loss caused by reasons like androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness), medical conditions, and other hair loss factors. However, not all these treatments for hair loss can have the same effect on all hair loss patients. That’s why if you’re considering various hair growth treatments – such as platelet-rich plasma therapy and hair transplants – it’s best to consult with a medical professional on which option is best for you.
So which is better: PRP treatments or hair transplants? It depends on a number of factors like the severity of your hair loss, how long you’re willing to wait to see results, your comfort level for invasive treatments, and more. It’s best to discuss your options in detail with your doctor, but here’s what you should know when comparing PRP treatments with hair transplants to see which one can give you a healthier head of hair.
PRP Treatment vs. Hair Transplants
PRP therapy and hair transplants have their own process and the science behind why they can improve the appearance of your hair. It’s best to understand the processes and know what to expect before committing to receiving either treatment.
On one hand, you have PRP treatments. PRP therapy for hair growth uses platelet-rich plasma from your own blood sample that’s extracted and separated from other components of your blood like red and white blood cells. Your platelets have regenerative properties for wound healing that can repair and stimulate cell growth for dormant hair follicles to enter the growth phase of their hair growth cycle. When administered into your scalp, they release growth factors that can restore your follicles’ hair growth. This can be done through injections, or with microneedling to trigger your body’s healing process and keep your scalp healthy.
On the other hand, hair transplant surgery is a procedure where a cosmetic surgeon takes healthy donor hair and implants it into the thinning areas of your scalp. This new and healthy tissue then spreads healthy hair follicles throughout the rest of the thinning area.
Currently, hair transplants use donor hair extracted from the back of the patient’s head. However, further studies are looking into the possibility of performing stem cell hair transplants. Stem cell therapy for hair growth, however, is still in the process of research before it can become an available treatment option.
| PRP Treatments | Hair Transplants | |
| Process | PRP is extracted from your blood using a centrifuge. This can then either be injected directly into the thinning areas of your scalp or applied after microneedling treatments for tissue regeneration. | A surgeon will cut out a strip of your healthy scalp and then place it in the thinning areas. This will allow your body to produce newer and healthier hair follicles that can promote better hair growth. |
| Cost | One injection of PRP can start at $400. Since most patients need at least three treatments, expect to spend around $1,200 to $1,500 for the entire treatment. | Ranges from $4,000 to $15,000, depending on the amount of hair needed to be transplanted. |
| Pros | Minimally invasive. PRP is either injected into the treatment areas or applied to the microchannels after microneedling. Little to no downtime is required. Thicker hair growth. Studies found that both men and women who had regular PRP treatments saw increased hair regrowth and had thicker hair. Low-risk treatment. The process uses your own extracted blood, which reduces the risks of an allergic reaction. | Lifetime results. Quality hair transplants ensure high success rates and that your transplanted hair lasts you a lifetime. No maintenance or special care necessary. After your recovery period, you don’t need any additional care or maintenance treatments for the rest of your life. Cost-effective solution. Although more expensive, the lifetime results and low-maintenance care provides you with a convenient and cost-effective solution to hair growth. |
| Cons | Results depend on the quality of your blood supply. If you have bleeding, clotting disorders, or a low platelet count, your concentration of platelets may not be enough to deliver significant hair growth improvement. Requires multiple sessions. PRP therapy for hair growth requires at least three treatments. In comparison, hair transplants don’t need maintenance. Best for early signs of hair loss. Patients with more severe balding may want to consider other treatments if they want to see faster, more noticeable signs of hair regrowth. | Invasive surgical procedure. This means you might have to take up to one week off your schedule to recover from the procedure. Changes the texture and shape of your hair. Newly transplanted hairs will share the texture and shape as the donor hair. Only for those with major hair loss. If you’re experiencing hair thinning, you should consider PRP or other less invasive treatments. |
Which Treatment Is Best for Me?
PRP treatments and hair transplants are best for certain stages of hair loss. Visit your doctor to see which one is the better treatment for you.
PRP therapy is best for those in the early stages of hair loss. If you’re experiencing brittle and weak hair growth and are seeing small areas of sparse hairs, you can benefit from PRP injections or microneedling with PRP. These hair loss treatments can stimulate your hair follicles to regrow hair.
On the other hand, hair transplants are best for those who are experiencing severe hair loss due to conditions like androgenetic alopecia and are already showing signs of balding in large areas around their scalp. Transplant hair follicles can restore healthy hair follicles around the area and provide healthy hair.
Visit FACE Med Store for Your Hair Care Needs
You can find plenty of hair care products, treatments, and procedures that can improve the appearance of your hair and mitigate the effects of hair loss. To ensure you’re getting the right treatment, patients with hair loss should seek a cosmetic doctor to provide you with guidance on the right options for hair loss treatments.
For all your hair care needs, visit FACE Med Store, your reliable source for quality products at competitive prices. Our online store stocks plenty of equipment, supplies, and other products that everyday users and businesses need to treat hair loss and promote hair regrowth. Check out our store today to find great deals on the items you need.
