PRP hair therapy works best for patients with early to moderate thinning (Norwood 2-4) where hair follicles are miniaturized but still alive. If you can see thin, short hairs in your thinning areas rather than completely smooth scalp, PRP is likely to produce measurable results for you.
This article helps you determine whether PRP is the right treatment for your specific situation based on your hair loss stage, health profile, and treatment goals.
The Ideal PRP Candidate Profile
Norwood Stage and Hair Loss Pattern
Your hair loss stage is the single biggest predictor of PRP success. The treatment relies on stimulating existing follicles, so there must be follicles left to stimulate.
| Norwood Stage | PRP Effectiveness | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Norwood 1-2 | Excellent | Strong candidate. Early intervention yields best results |
| Norwood 3 | Good | Good candidate. Visible improvement expected |
| Norwood 3V | Good | Crown thinning responds well to PRP |
| Norwood 4 | Moderate | Moderate candidate. May need combination therapy |
| Norwood 5 | Low | PRP alone insufficient. Consider as transplant adjunct |
| Norwood 6-7 | Very low | Not recommended as standalone treatment |
To determine your current stage, refer to the Norwood scale guide or upload a photo for AI analysis.
Age Considerations
Age affects PRP response in two ways: the quality of your platelets and the trajectory of your hair loss.
- Under 25: Hair loss may still be progressing rapidly. PRP can help, but stabilization with finasteride is usually recommended first.
- 25-40: Prime window for PRP. Platelet quality is high and follicles are typically still responsive.
- 40-55: Good candidates if follicles are still active. Platelet counts naturally decrease with age, which may reduce effectiveness slightly.
- Over 55: Results become less predictable. Platelet quality declines and many follicles have been dormant too long to reactivate.
Health Requirements
PRP uses your own blood, so your blood health directly affects treatment quality. Your provider should screen for these factors before starting treatment:
Must-have requirements:
- Normal platelet count (150,000 to 400,000 platelets per microliter)
- No active blood-clotting disorders
- No active scalp infections or inflammatory skin conditions
- Ability to stop blood-thinning medications before treatment (consult prescribing doctor)
Factors that reduce effectiveness:
- Heavy smoking (reduces blood quality and healing response)
- Chronic heavy alcohol use
- Nutritional deficiencies (iron, vitamin D, biotin)
- Certain autoimmune conditions
Who Should Not Get PRP
Medical Disqualifiers
The following conditions make PRP unsuitable or require specialist clearance:
- Thrombocytopenia: Low platelet count means insufficient growth factors in the PRP preparation
- Blood cancers: Leukemia, lymphoma, or myelodysplastic syndromes
- Active anticoagulant therapy: Warfarin, heparin, or similar medications
- Sepsis or systemic infection: Active infection contraindicates any injection procedure
- Chronic liver disease: Affects platelet production and blood quality
Hair Loss Types That Do Not Respond to PRP
Not all hair loss is androgenetic alopecia. PRP targets follicle miniaturization caused by DHT sensitivity. Other hair loss types have different mechanisms:
| Hair Loss Type | PRP Effective? | Better Options |
|---|---|---|
| Androgenetic alopecia (pattern loss) | Yes | PRP + finasteride + minoxidil |
| Alopecia areata (autoimmune) | Sometimes | Corticosteroids, JAK inhibitors |
| Traction alopecia (styling damage) | Sometimes | Stop traction, PRP if caught early |
| Scarring alopecia (cicatricial) | No | Treat underlying cause, transplant if stable |
| Telogen effluvium (stress shedding) | No | Address root cause, hair regrows naturally |
| Nutritional deficiency hair loss | No | Correct deficiency, hair regrows naturally |
If your hair loss is not pattern-related, PRP is unlikely to help. Get a proper diagnosis from a dermatologist before investing in treatment.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Answer these questions to gauge your PRP candidacy:
Strong candidate (3+ yes answers):
- Are you between Norwood 2 and 4?
- Can you see thin, miniaturized hairs in your thinning areas (not completely smooth scalp)?
- Are you between 25 and 55 years old?
- Do you have no blood disorders or active medications that affect clotting?
- Can you commit to 3-4 sessions over 3-4 months plus ongoing maintenance?
Consider alternatives if:
- Your thinning areas are completely smooth with no visible follicular openings
- You are at Norwood 5 or higher
- You have a bleeding disorder or are on long-term blood thinners
- You want a one-time solution (consider FUE or FUT surgery instead)
- Your budget does not support ongoing sessions ($500-$2,000 each, every 3-6 months)
What If PRP Is Not Right for You?
If PRP does not fit your profile, consider these alternatives:
- Finasteride + Minoxidil: First-line medical therapy at $25-$150/month with no procedures required
- FUE hair transplant: One-time surgical solution for permanent results at $4-12 per graft
- Low-level laser therapy: Non-invasive device-based treatment at $200-$1,000 for a home device
- Scalp micropigmentation: Cosmetic tattooing that creates the appearance of density at $2,000-$4,000
Get Your Candidacy Assessment
Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to get an AI-powered analysis of your Norwood stage and a personalized recommendation on whether PRP, surgery, or medication is the best path for your hair loss pattern and goals.
FAQ
Who is a good candidate for PRP hair therapy?
Good PRP candidates have early to moderate hair loss (Norwood 2-4), are between 25 and 55 years old, have healthy platelet counts, and can commit to 3-4 initial sessions plus ongoing maintenance. PRP works best when follicles are miniaturized but still alive, meaning thinning is visible but the scalp is not completely smooth and bald.
Who should not get PRP for hair loss?
PRP is not recommended for patients with blood disorders (thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction), those on blood thinners like warfarin, patients with active scalp infections or skin conditions, heavy smokers, or individuals with advanced hair loss (Norwood 6-7) where follicles are no longer viable. Patients with autoimmune-related hair loss should consult their dermatologist first.
Can PRP help with Norwood 5 or higher hair loss?
PRP alone is unlikely to produce satisfactory results at Norwood 5 or higher. At these stages, large areas of the scalp have lost follicles entirely, and PRP cannot regenerate dead follicles. PRP may still be used as a complement to a hair transplant at these stages, helping improve graft survival and stimulate remaining miniaturized hairs in transition zones.