How is a PRP therapy plan structured?
PRP hair restoration therapy works in two phases. The loading phase aims to build up an effect, with sessions close together. The maintenance phase aims to hold onto whatever improvement you've gained, with sessions spaced further apart. There's no single agreed protocol, so schedules differ between clinics, but most follow a similar shape.
Your provider may adjust the plan based on how you respond, how advanced your thinning is, and whether you're using other treatments such as minoxidil or finasteride. A plan that never changes regardless of your results is worth questioning.
It also helps to think of PRP therapy in terms of years rather than months. Pattern hair loss is a long-term condition, so the real question isn't just whether you can afford the first three sessions, but whether you're prepared to keep up maintenance - or have a plan for what you'll do instead if you stop.
What does a typical first year look like?
| Timing | Session | Purpose | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 0 | Consultation and session 1 | Diagnosis, baseline photos, first treatment | $500–$1,500 plus any consult fee |
| Month 1 | Session 2 | Loading phase | $500–$1,500 |
| Month 2 | Session 3 | Loading phase | $500–$1,500 |
| Month 3 | Session 4 (if recommended) | Complete loading phase | $500–$1,500 |
| Month 6 | Review and first maintenance | Compare photos; decide whether to continue | $500–$1,500 |
| Month 10–12 | Second maintenance | Hold results; full-year review | $500–$1,500 |
That's five or six sessions in year one - roughly $2,500–$9,000 at list prices, though package discounts often bring it down. From year two onward, most people need two to three maintenance sessions a year. Costs vary by city and provider; see the cost hub for regional context.
How do PRP packages and pricing work?
Many clinics sell the loading phase as a bundle, often with a per-session discount compared with paying individually. Packages can be good value, but read the terms carefully. Before you sign, check:
- How many sessions are included, and over what period they must be used
- Whether add-ons such as microneedling or numbing are included or extra
- What happens to unused sessions if you stop early or move
- Whether the same physician or trained injector performs each session
- The price of maintenance sessions after the package ends
- Whether financing is offered, and at what interest rate
A good rule of thumb: avoid prepaying for more than the loading phase until you've seen your six-month results. Our financing guide covers payment plans.
How should you prepare for each session?
Small steps make sessions more comfortable and may help the quality of the PRP sample:
- Drink plenty of water the day before and the morning of treatment - it makes the blood draw easier
- Eat a normal meal beforehand to avoid feeling faint
- Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and similar anti-inflammatories for several days before and after, if your doctor agrees, as they may affect platelet function
- Skip alcohol for 24–48 hours before
- Wash your hair the morning of treatment and avoid styling products
- Tell your provider about any blood thinners, supplements, or recent illness
What aftercare is needed between sessions?
Aftercare is simple. Most clinics advise waiting until the next day (or at least several hours) before washing your hair, then using a gentle shampoo. Avoid heavy exercise, saunas, and swimming for a day or two. Hold off on hair colouring or chemical treatments for a few days. Mild tenderness is normal; use acetaminophen rather than anti-inflammatory painkillers unless told otherwise. If you use topical minoxidil, your clinic may ask you to pause for a day or two around each session.
How do you know if the therapy is working?
Judge PRP at planned review points rather than day to day. Useful measures include:
- Standardized photos at baseline, month 3, month 6, and month 12, in the same lighting and angle
- Trichoscopy - a magnified scalp image that counts hairs and measures thickness
- Shedding - many people notice fewer hairs in the shower or on the pillow first
- Part width and how visible the scalp is under bright light
If there's no meaningful change by around six months after the loading phase, ask your provider honestly whether continuing makes sense, or whether another approach would suit you better.
Can you stop PRP therapy once you're happy?
You can, but gains usually fade over the following months because PRP doesn't stop the underlying cause of pattern hair loss. Some people choose to stretch maintenance to once or twice a year and rely more on daily medical therapy to protect results. Others decide the cost isn't justified and move on to a transplant once their loss stabilizes. For how PRP compares with other options, see PRP hair restoration and the types and options hub.
Does the schedule change if you've had a hair transplant?
It can. Some surgeons apply or inject PRP on the day of a transplant, while others wait and start sessions a few weeks or months afterwards, once the grafts have settled. The aim is to support existing native hair around the grafts - which a transplant doesn't protect from ongoing loss - rather than the transplanted follicles themselves. If you've had surgery, don't book PRP independently in the first weeks; ask your surgeon when it's safe to start and how it should fit around your recovery timeline.
Similarly, if you're planning a transplant in the next year, tell your PRP provider. A short course beforehand may help you judge how much native hair can be stabilized, which in turn can influence how many grafts you need.
How do you get started?
Book a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist or hair restoration physician who will diagnose your hair loss, take baseline photos, and put a written plan and price in front of you before the first session. To compare treatment plans and pricing from vetted US providers, request a free quote.
Related guides
Frequently asked
Most plans start with three or four sessions spaced about four weeks apart, then maintenance every four to six months. Your provider may adjust this based on your response.
A short delay of a week or two is unlikely to matter much. If you miss a session by several months during the loading phase, your provider may suggest restarting the schedule.
Most clinics recommend waiting at least 48–72 hours before colouring or chemical treatments, so the scalp can settle. Ideally, colour your hair a few days before a session rather than just after.
It's usually advised to avoid alcohol for at least 24–48 hours after treatment, as it can increase swelling and dehydration. Follow your clinic's specific aftercare instructions.
Packages can lower the per-session price for the loading phase. They're less worthwhile if you prepay for a year or more before knowing whether PRP works for you.
Yes. Many doctors recommend combining PRP with medical therapy, since finasteride targets DHT while PRP supports follicles. Finasteride is prescription-only and has possible side effects, so discuss it with your prescribing doctor.
About this guide
This is an independent overview to help you decide. Figures are typical US ranges, not a quote, and general information is not medical advice - confirm details at a consultation. See our methodology and disclosure.
