HAIR LOSS GUIDE · THE MEN CLINICS
PRP or Hair Transplant: Which Do You Need?
They solve different problems. PRP supports hair that is thinning; a transplant restores hair that has gone.
Last clinically reviewed: August 2026
This is rarely an either-or decision. The right question is what stage your hair loss has reached.
If your hair is getting finer but is still there, PRP and medical therapy have something to work with. If the area is smooth, no injectable treatment will restore it, because there is no viable follicle left to stimulate.
Side by side
| PRP | Hair transplant | |
|---|---|---|
| Works on | Miniaturising follicles | Bald or heavily thinned areas |
| Mechanism | Growth factors support the cycle | Relocates permanent follicles |
| Result | Thicker existing hair | New hair where there was none |
| Downtime | None | 7–10 days |
| Permanence | Requires maintenance | Permanent grafts |
| Cost pattern | Ongoing sessions | One-off, larger |
Why they are often combined
A common plan uses medical therapy to slow the underlying process, PRP to support miniaturising hair, and surgery to restore areas already lost. Each addresses a different part of the same problem.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ducu Botoaca
Aesthetic & Hair Transplant Surgeon and founder of The Men Clinics, Soho, London. This page is general information and is not a substitute for a personal medical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Can PRP replace a hair transplant?
No. PRP cannot create hair where the follicle is gone. It supports follicles that are still present but producing finer hair.
Should I try PRP before surgery?
Often sensible, particularly for early thinning. Twelve months of medical therapy and PRP tells you how much of your loss is recoverable without surgery.
Can I have both?
Yes, and it is common. PRP is frequently used after a transplant to support graft recovery and protect surrounding native hair.
Which is more cost effective?
It depends on your stage. PRP is cheaper per session but ongoing. Surgery is a larger one-off cost but the grafts are permanent.
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The information on this page is general guidance and is not medical advice. It does not replace a personal consultation with a qualified clinician. Individual results vary. The Men Clinics, Soho, London.