PRP Therapy for Hair Growth:
What Long Island Patients Should Know

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a treatment for hair thinning and androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss) that uses growth factors derived from your own blood to stimulate dormant hair follicles. Dermatologists at Belaray Dermatology offer PRP as a non-surgical option for patients seeking to slow hair loss and promote regrowth.

How PRP Works for Hair Loss

Your blood contains platelets — specialized cells packed with growth factors (PDGF, VEGF, IGF-1, and others) that play key roles in tissue healing and regeneration. PRP therapy concentrates these platelets from your own blood and injects them directly into the scalp at the level of the hair follicles.

The growth factors signal follicles to:

• Extend the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle
• Increase follicle size (diameter and density)
• Stimulate new blood vessel formation around follicles
• Reduce the miniaturization process that characterizes pattern hair loss

Who Is a Good Candidate?

PRP works best for patients who:

• Have androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss)
• Still have viable, miniaturized follicles — not completely bald areas
• Are in the earlier-to-moderate stages of hair loss
• Have not responded adequately to topical treatments alone

PRP is not effective for scarring alopecias (lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia) where follicles have been permanently destroyed.

What to Expect: The PRP Procedure

1. Blood draw: A small blood sample (typically 30–60 mL) is drawn from your arm — similar to a routine lab draw.
2. Centrifugation: The blood is placed in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich fraction.
3. Scalp preparation: The treatment area is cleaned. Topical numbing or a nerve block can be applied for comfort.
4. Injection: PRP is injected across the affected scalp in a grid pattern using a fine needle. The procedure takes approximately 30–45 minutes.
5. Aftercare: Mild scalp tenderness for 24–48 hours. Avoid washing hair for 24 hours. No significant downtime.

Treatment Protocol and Results

Most protocols involve an initial series of 3 treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart, followed by maintenance treatments every 4–6 months. Hair thickness and density typically begin to improve 3–6 months after the initial series. Results vary by individual; some patients see significant improvement, others experience maintenance of existing density rather than regrowth.

PRP is most effective when combined with medical therapy such as minoxidil (topical or oral) and/or finasteride — your dermatologist will discuss a comprehensive treatment plan.

Because PRP maintenance visits recur every few months, many patients pair a session with their annual skin exam or other dermatologic care. Patients interested in broader skin rejuvenation can also compare energy-based options in our guide to CO₂ laser resurfacing vs. RF microneedling, both performed on-site at Belaray.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PRP for hair loss FDA-approved?

PRP is not specifically FDA-approved for hair loss — it is used off-label based on a growing body of clinical research. The equipment used to prepare PRP (centrifuges) is FDA-cleared. Multiple controlled trials support PRP's efficacy for androgenetic alopecia, but results vary between patients and protocols.

Does PRP for hair loss hurt?

With proper numbing, most patients describe the procedure as tolerable — mild pressure and occasional stinging. A nerve block or topical anesthesia significantly improves comfort. Post-procedure scalp soreness usually resolves within 48 hours.

How long do PRP hair results last?

Without maintenance treatments, PRP results typically last 12–18 months. Regular maintenance sessions (every 4–6 months) help sustain improvement. PRP slows the progression of hair loss and improves density; it does not permanently cure androgenetic alopecia.

Is PRP covered by insurance?

No. PRP for hair loss is considered cosmetic and is not covered by insurance at this time. Pricing and package options are available — contact the office for current pricing.