Post-PRP shedding occurs in approximately 15% of patients and resolves within 6 weeks of the treatment session, but without tracking data, many patients mistake this normal response for treatment failure and abandon PRP prematurely. By documenting density readings through the shedding phase, you can distinguish a temporary follicle reset from an actual decline in hair health.
What Causes Post-PRP Shedding
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) delivers concentrated growth factors directly into your scalp. These growth factors stimulate dormant follicles, pushing them from the resting (telogen) phase into the active growth (anagen) phase. When a follicle transitions between phases, it releases the old hair shaft before producing a new one.
This mechanism is the same process that causes initial shedding with minoxidil (which produces 40-60% moderate regrowth). The shed is a sign that follicles are responding, not that they are dying.
| PRP Response Timeline | What Happens | What You See |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1-7 | Growth factor absorption, local inflammation | Mild redness, tenderness at injection sites |
| Week 2-4 | Telogen follicles enter transition phase | Increased hair fall (shedding begins) |
| Week 4-6 | New anagen hairs begin emerging | Shedding slows, fine new hairs may appear |
| Week 6-12 | New hairs thicken and mature | Density stabilizes or increases |
| Week 12-24 | Full growth cycle completion | Measurable density improvement |
Step 1: Document Pre-PRP Baseline Density
Before your PRP session ($500-2,000 per session, with 3-4 initial sessions recommended), take a complete set of density photos. Cover all zones: frontal hairline, mid-scalp, vertex, and temporal areas.
Record your baseline metrics:
- Daily hair fall count: Count hairs on your pillow, in the shower, and in your brush for 3 consecutive days and average them. Normal baseline is 50-100 hairs per day.
- Density photos: Standardized angles and lighting for each scalp zone
- Current medications: Finasteride (1mg daily, 80-90% halt further loss) and/or minoxidil (5% topical, applied twice daily)
- Previous PRP sessions: Number, dates, and any density data from earlier rounds
Step 2: Track the Shedding Phase Daily
Starting from the day after your PRP session, monitor hair fall daily for the first 6 weeks:
- Hair count method: Collect shed hairs from your pillow, shower drain, and hairbrush each morning. Store them in a dated envelope or bag.
- Photo documentation: Take photos every 3-4 days during the shedding window (weeks 2-6) to capture the progression
- Scalp condition notes: Document any redness, itching, or tenderness that accompanies the shed
A simple daily tracking table:
| Day | Shed Count | Scalp Notes | Photo Taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-PRP baseline | 65 hairs/day avg | Normal | Yes |
| Day 7 | 70 | Mild redness fading | No |
| Day 14 | 95 | Shedding starting | Yes |
| Day 21 | 130 | Peak shedding | Yes |
| Day 28 | 110 | Shedding declining | Yes |
| Day 42 | 75 | Back near baseline | Yes |
Step 3: Separate Follicle Count From Hair Fall
This is the critical distinction that tracking makes possible. During a post-PRP shed, your daily hair fall increases, but your follicle count remains stable or even increases. The hair that falls out is being replaced by new growth.
Density readings during the shedding phase show follicle count stability even when visible shedding occurs. This is because:
- Shed hairs are in telogen (resting), meaning the follicle has already started producing a replacement
- New hairs are in early anagen (growth), initially too short to be visible but detectable in density analysis
- The total number of active follicles does not decrease during a normal PRP shed
If your density readings show a declining follicle count during the shed, that pattern suggests something beyond normal PRP response and warrants a conversation with your provider.
Step 4: Set Shedding Alarm Thresholds
Define what "excessive" means for your specific case so you know when to contact your dermatologist:
| Metric | Normal Post-PRP Shed | Concerning Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2-6 weeks | Beyond 8 weeks |
| Peak hair fall | 100-150 hairs/day | Over 200 hairs/day sustained |
| Density change | Stable or +/- 2% | Decline over 5% |
| Pattern | Diffuse, even thinning | Patchy or localized loss |
| Resolution | Gradual return to baseline | No improvement by week 8 |
If your tracking data crosses into the concerning column, schedule a follow-up with your provider before your next PRP session.
Step 5: Document the Recovery and Growth Phase
Once shedding resolves (typically by week 6), shift your tracking focus to density recovery and growth:
- Week 6-8: Take density photos to confirm shedding has stopped and baseline density is restored
- Week 8-12: Look for the first signs of density improvement as new anagen hairs mature
- Week 12-24: Full assessment window. PRP has been shown to increase hair density by 30-40% across 3-4 sessions.
Compare your post-shedding density to your pre-PRP baseline. A successful PRP response shows density that meets or exceeds the baseline by week 12, with continued improvement through week 24.
Why Tracking Prevents Premature Treatment Abandonment
Without objective density data, the shedding phase creates panic. Patients see more hair on their pillow, assume PRP is making things worse, and cancel their remaining sessions. Since PRP requires 3-4 initial sessions for optimal results, dropping out after one session due to shedding means never reaching the growth phase.
Your tracking data tells a different story. When your daily shed count spikes but your density readings hold steady, you have objective evidence that the treatment is working as expected. This data gives you the confidence to continue through the uncomfortable shedding window.
Shedding Patterns Across Multiple PRP Sessions
If you receive the standard 3-4 session series, shedding may occur after the first session but typically diminishes with subsequent treatments. Track each session independently:
- Session 1: Most likely to trigger shedding as dormant follicles are activated for the first time
- Session 2: Shedding is usually milder because fewer dormant follicles remain
- Session 3-4: Minimal or no shedding, with density gains accumulating from previous sessions
Document whether your shedding pattern follows this expected trajectory. If shedding intensity increases with later sessions instead of decreasing, bring that data to your provider.
Combining Shedding Data With Your Treatment Stack
If you are also taking finasteride (80-90% halt further loss, 65% regrowth) or using minoxidil (40-60% moderate regrowth), these medications may influence your shedding pattern. Minoxidil itself causes an initial shed in many users, so starting minoxidil close to a PRP session can create overlapping shedding events.
Keep all treatment variables stable during the post-PRP tracking period whenever possible. If you must adjust medications, log the change date and factor it into your analysis.
Start Tracking Your PRP Shedding Phase
Upload your pre-PRP baseline photos and begin daily shed count logging at myhairline.ai/analyze. Your data through the shedding window will confirm whether your response is normal or needs clinical attention. Read more about PRP treatment results tracking for long-term protocols, or explore PRP treatment tracking for session-by-session documentation methods.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist before starting or modifying any hair loss treatment.