Platelet-poor plasma (PPP) is the fraction of your blood left after platelets are concentrated into PRP, and some clinics now inject it alongside or instead of standard PRP for hair loss treatment. Tracking your density response to PPP sessions separately from PRP sessions is the only way to determine whether the lower platelet concentration works for your specific follicle biology.
What Platelet-Poor Plasma Actually Is
When your blood is centrifuged during a PRP procedure, the spinning separates it into layers. PRP sits in the platelet-rich band, while PPP occupies the layer above it. PPP contains fewer platelets but retains key plasma proteins, fibrinogen, and certain growth factors at concentrations closer to your natural blood levels.
| Component | PRP Concentration | PPP Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| Platelets | 3-5x baseline | Below baseline |
| Fibrinogen | Moderate | High |
| PDGF (growth factor) | High | Low-moderate |
| VEGF (growth factor) | High | Low-moderate |
| Plasma proteins | Moderate | High |
| TGF-beta | High | Low |
Some researchers propose that PPP delivers growth factors at a more physiological concentration than highly concentrated PRP. The theory is that the lower, steadier growth factor release may suit patients who respond poorly to the inflammatory spike that concentrated PRP can trigger.
Why Track PPP and PRP Separately
Most clinics that use PPP combine it with PRP in the same treatment session. This makes it impossible to know which component is driving your results unless you track each one independently. By logging each session type and measuring density changes at consistent intervals, you build a personal dataset that reveals whether PPP contributes meaningfully to your outcome.
Standard PRP has been shown to increase hair density by 30-40% across 3-4 sessions at a cost of $500-2,000 per session. PPP lacks this same volume of clinical evidence, which makes individual tracking even more important.
Step 1: Establish Your Baseline Density
Before your first PPP or PRP session, take a standardized set of photos using consistent lighting, angle, and distance. Document readings for each scalp zone you want to monitor: frontal hairline, mid-scalp, vertex, and temporal areas.
Record these baseline numbers in myhairline.ai along with:
- Current medications (finasteride at 1mg daily halts further loss in 80-90% of users; minoxidil provides 40-60% moderate regrowth)
- Time on current medications
- Any previous PRP sessions and their dates
Step 2: Log Each Treatment Session by Type
Create a separate log entry for every treatment session. Tag each entry as either "PPP" or "PRP" so that your tracking data stays clean.
For each session, record:
- Date and time of the injection
- Treatment type: PPP, PRP, or combination
- Centrifuge protocol: RPM speed and duration (higher RPM produces more concentrated PRP; lower RPM yields PPP)
- Volume injected: Total milliliters and injection zones
- Clinic notes: Any provider observations about scalp condition
Step 3: Capture Density Readings at Fixed Intervals
Take follow-up density photos at these intervals after each treatment:
| Time Post-Treatment | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | Early shedding phase (normal in 15% of patients) |
| 4 weeks | Shedding resolution, baseline stabilization |
| 8 weeks | First signs of density increase |
| 12 weeks | Measurable density change expected |
| 24 weeks | Full response assessment window |
Use the same lighting, camera position, and time of day for every reading. Inconsistent photos make density comparison unreliable.
Step 4: Compare PPP vs PRP Trends on the Same Scalp
After 3-4 sessions of each type, compare your density trend lines. The key question is whether zones treated with PPP show a different trajectory than zones treated with PRP.
Look for these patterns in your data:
- PPP matches PRP: The lower concentration delivers equivalent results for your hair type, potentially at lower cost
- PPP underperforms PRP: Standard PRP is the better option for your follicle biology
- PPP outperforms PRP: Your follicles may respond better to the gentler growth factor delivery
- Neither shows improvement: Consider evaluating other treatments or consulting your dermatologist about combination protocols
Step 5: Share Your Tracking Data With Your Provider
Your PPP vs PRP comparison becomes a valuable clinical tool when you bring it to your dermatologist. Instead of relying on subjective before-and-after impressions, you have timestamped density readings tied to specific treatment types.
This data helps your provider:
- Adjust the centrifuge protocol to optimize platelet concentration for your response pattern
- Decide whether to continue PPP, switch entirely to PRP, or combine both
- Compare your results against other patients with similar Norwood profiles
What the Research Shows So Far
PPP is less studied than PRP for hair restoration. The majority of published PRP studies use platelet concentrations of 3-5x baseline, which is firmly in the PRP range. A small number of studies have examined lower concentrations and found that the dose-response relationship is not linear. More platelets do not always mean better results.
This uncertainty is exactly why individual tracking matters. Population-level studies provide averages, but your follicles may fall anywhere within the response spectrum.
Combining PPP Tracking With Other Treatments
If you are taking finasteride (80-90% halt further loss, 65% regrowth) or applying minoxidil (40-60% moderate regrowth), log these alongside your PPP data. Changes in your medical therapy during a PPP treatment series will confound your results.
Keep medication doses stable during your PPP evaluation period whenever possible. If your doctor adjusts your finasteride or minoxidil dosage, note the date and factor that into your density trend analysis.
Start Tracking Your PPP Response
Upload your baseline photos and begin logging your treatment sessions at myhairline.ai/analyze. Tag each session as PPP or PRP to build a clean comparison dataset. Read more about PRP treatment results tracking for detailed protocols, or explore PRP with growth factors tracking for advanced combination approaches.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist before starting any hair loss treatment.