PRP hair therapy recovery requires no downtime. Most patients leave the clinic and go directly back to work or daily activities. The scalp will be slightly red and tender for several hours, and all visible signs of the treatment resolve within 24 to 48 hours.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of what to expect after each PRP session, how to manage mild side effects, and what activities to avoid during the short recovery window.
Day-by-Day Recovery Timeline
Hours 0-6: Immediately After Treatment
The first few hours are when the treatment area is most visible. You will notice:
| Symptom | Severity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Scalp redness at injection sites | Mild to moderate | 2-6 hours |
| Tiny raised bumps at injection points | Barely visible | 2-4 hours |
| Mild tenderness when touching scalp | Mild | 12-24 hours |
| Sensation of tightness on scalp | Mild | 2-4 hours |
The redness follows the injection grid pattern and looks similar to mild sunburn. It is most noticeable on patients with lighter skin tones. Patients with darker skin tones may not show visible redness at all.
What to do:
- Do not touch, rub, or scratch the treated area
- Avoid wearing hats that press on the scalp
- If you feel any throbbing, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin, as they inhibit platelet function
- Stay hydrated
Hours 6-24: Settling Down
By the evening of your treatment day (assuming a morning or afternoon appointment), most visible signs are fading. The raised bumps at injection points flatten completely. Redness reduces to a faint pink that is not noticeable to others.
What to do:
- You may gently wash your hair after 6 hours (24 hours is preferred)
- Sleep on a clean pillowcase
- Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, and swimming pools
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
Day 2: Nearly Normal
By 48 hours post-treatment, the scalp feels normal. Any remaining tenderness is gone. There is no visible evidence of the treatment. You can resume all normal activities including:
- Intense exercise and weight training
- Swimming
- Hair styling products
- Hats and headwear
- Hot showers and saunas
Days 3-7: Fully Recovered
There is nothing to manage during this period. Your scalp is fully healed from the injection process. The PRP is absorbed into the tissue and working at the cellular level to stimulate follicle activity.
Some patients report mild scalp itching during the first week, which is a normal response to the healing process. Do not scratch aggressively. Light fingertip pressure or a cool compress relieves the itching.
Common Side Effects and How to Manage Them
Expected Side Effects (Occur in Most Patients)
These are normal responses to the injection process and resolve without intervention:
| Side Effect | Frequency | Duration | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injection site redness | 90%+ | 2-6 hours | No treatment needed |
| Scalp tenderness | 80%+ | 12-24 hours | Acetaminophen if needed |
| Minor swelling | 30-50% | 24-48 hours | Resolves on its own |
| Injection point bumps | 70%+ | 2-4 hours | Do not touch |
| Blood draw bruising (arm) | 20-30% | 3-7 days | Cold compress |
Less Common Side Effects
These occur in a smaller percentage of patients and are still considered normal:
- Headache (10-15% of patients): Usually mild and responds to acetaminophen. Caused by the injection process stimulating scalp nerves.
- Brief dizziness (5-10%): Typically occurs in patients who skipped meals before the appointment. Eating a full meal and staying hydrated prevents this.
- Scalp itching (15-20%): Begins 2-3 days after treatment. A sign of healing. Avoid scratching.
- Temporary hair shedding (5-10%): Some patients notice a brief increase in shedding 1-2 weeks after the first session. This is the treated follicles transitioning from a resting phase to a growth phase and is considered a positive sign.
When to Contact Your Provider
PRP complications are rare, but contact your clinic if you experience:
- Severe pain that does not respond to acetaminophen
- Persistent swelling lasting more than 72 hours
- Signs of infection at injection sites (increasing redness, warmth, pus, or fever)
- Prolonged bleeding from injection sites lasting more than a few hours
- Allergic reaction symptoms (widespread hives, difficulty breathing)
Activity Restrictions by Timeframe
Exercise and Physical Activity
| Activity | When Safe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Immediately | No restrictions |
| Desk work | Immediately | No restrictions |
| Light cardio (elliptical, cycling) | 24 hours | Avoid heavy sweating on scalp |
| Weight training | 48 hours | Straining increases scalp blood pressure |
| Running | 48 hours | Sweat and sun exposure concerns |
| Contact sports | 48-72 hours | Risk of head impact |
| Swimming (pool/ocean) | 48 hours | Chlorine and bacteria exposure |
| Hot yoga/sauna | 48 hours | Extreme heat and sweating |
Hair Care
| Activity | When Safe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gentle hair washing | 6-24 hours | Lukewarm water, gentle shampoo |
| Regular hair washing | 48 hours | Normal routine |
| Hair styling products | 48 hours | Gel, spray, wax, pomade |
| Hair fibers (Toppik) | 48 hours | Avoid direct injection site contact before 48h |
| Hair coloring/dyeing | 72 hours | Chemical exposure concern |
| Blow drying (cool setting) | 24 hours | Avoid direct high heat on treated area |
| Blow drying (hot setting) | 48 hours | Heat can increase inflammation |
Recovery Comparison: PRP vs Surgical Options
For patients considering their treatment options, PRP recovery is dramatically shorter than surgical alternatives:
| Recovery Metric | PRP | FUE Transplant | FUT Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time off work | 0 days | 5-7 days | 10-14 days |
| Full exercise return | 2 days | 14-21 days | 21-30 days |
| Visible signs gone | 6-24 hours | 10-14 days | 14-21 days |
| Wound care needed | None | 7-10 days | 10-14 days |
| Pain medication | Optional OTC | Prescription 2-3 days | Prescription 5-7 days |
PRP's minimal recovery is one of its main advantages over surgical options like FUE and FUT. For patients who cannot take time off work or want to avoid the recovery demands of surgery, PRP offers a practical treatment path with no visible downtime.
Recovery Between Sessions
The 4-6 week interval between PRP sessions is not a "recovery period." You are fully recovered within 48 hours of each session. The gap exists to allow the growth factors time to stimulate follicle activity before introducing another dose.
During the weeks between sessions, you can continue all normal activities, hair care routines, and medications. If you use finasteride or minoxidil alongside PRP, continue them without interruption unless your provider specifically instructs otherwise.
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FAQ
How long is PRP hair treatment recovery?
PRP recovery takes 24 to 48 hours for all visible signs to resolve. Scalp redness fades within 6 hours, tenderness resolves within 24 hours, and any minor swelling subsides within 48 hours. There is no downtime in the traditional sense. Most patients return to work, exercise, and normal activities the same day or the next morning.
Can I wash my hair after PRP treatment?
Wait at least 6 hours after PRP before washing your hair. Most providers recommend waiting 24 hours for the best results, allowing the PRP to fully absorb into the scalp tissue. When you do wash, use a gentle shampoo and lukewarm water. Avoid vigorous scrubbing of the treated area for 48 hours.
What side effects does PRP hair treatment have?
PRP side effects are mild because the treatment uses your own blood. Common effects include injection site redness (2-6 hours), scalp tenderness (12-24 hours), minor swelling (24-48 hours), and small bumps at injection points (a few hours). Rare side effects include temporary headache, bruising at the blood draw site, and brief dizziness. Infection is extremely rare when performed in a sterile environment.