If your hair has gradually become thinner across the top of your head or your parting seems wider than it used to, you could be experiencing female pattern hair loss.
It’s an extremely common form of hair loss in women, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating when it happens to you.
There are different ways of managing female pattern hair loss, and one option you may have encountered is platelet-rich plasma, or PRP. So, what does the research actually tell us about using PRP for female pattern hair loss?
What Is Female Pattern Hair Loss?
Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), sometimes referred to as female androgenetic alopecia, is a form of progressive hair thinning.
Unlike the receding hairline commonly associated with male pattern baldness, women tend to experience thinning over the top of the scalp. One of the first things you might notice is that your central parting looks wider or that your hair simply doesn’t feel as thick as it once did.
The British Association of Dermatologists describes female pattern hair loss as the most common type of hair loss in women. It can begin at any age following puberty, although it becomes more common as women get older.
Is Female Pattern Hair Loss the Same as Menopausal Hair Loss?
Not quite.
Female pattern hair loss can occur before, during or after menopause. However, it may become more noticeable as women get older and hormonal changes take place.
There are also other reasons why hair might become thinner around this stage of life, so it’s important not to assume that every change in your hair is female pattern hair loss.
We’ve looked at this separately in our guide to PRP and hair thinning during menopause.
How Does PRP Hair Treatment Work?
PRP hair treatment uses platelet-rich plasma taken from your own blood.
A small blood sample is taken and processed in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich plasma. This is then injected into targeted areas of the scalp.
Platelets contain growth factors involved in tissue repair and regeneration. When PRP is used for hair loss, the aim is to support existing hair follicles and encourage healthier hair growth.
Because PRP works with existing follicles, it is quite different from a hair transplant, where follicles are physically moved from one area of the scalp to another. If you’re considering both approaches, you can read our guide to PRP vs hair transplants.
Can PRP Help Female Pattern Hair Loss?
There is a growing body of research into PRP for female pattern hair loss.
A systematic review and meta-analysis specifically examining PRP in women with androgenetic alopecia found evidence that PRP could increase terminal hair density compared with control treatments. However, the researchers also cautioned that larger and more representative studies are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
A separate systematic review examining clinical trials of PRP in women also reported improvements in hair density and hair diameter in most of the included studies, although the researchers highlighted the relatively small number and size of the studies available.
More recent research has continued to produce encouraging results. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 randomised controlled trials involving 628 women found significant improvements in hair density and thickness following PRP treatment, while noting that outcomes varied between treatment protocols.
So there is evidence to support the use of PRP for female hair loss, but it is important to keep expectations realistic. Treatment doesn’t guarantee hair regrowth and individual results can vary.
What Results Could You Expect From PRP?
PRP isn’t an overnight treatment.
Hair grows slowly, so changes tend to develop gradually rather than appearing immediately after an appointment. Some people may notice less shedding or improvements in the appearance and density of their hair over time.
At Azthetics, we usually recommend a course of four to six PRP treatments, spaced approximately four to six weeks apart. Maintenance treatment may subsequently be recommended.
We’ve explained the process in more detail in PRP Hair Treatment Results: How Long Does It Take to Work?.
Does PRP Work If You Have Already Lost a Lot of Hair?
This is an important distinction.
PRP is intended to stimulate and support existing hair follicles. It cannot create completely new follicles where they no longer exist.
That means the extent and cause of your hair loss can affect whether PRP is an appropriate option and what sort of improvement might realistically be achievable.
This is one of the reasons we recommend having a consultation rather than choosing PRP simply because you’ve noticed hair loss.
Is PRP Hair Treatment Painful?
PRP involves a series of small injections into the scalp, so you are likely to feel some sensation during treatment.
Afterwards, the scalp may feel tender and you may experience temporary redness or swelling around the injection sites. These effects are generally short-lived.
You can find a fuller explanation of what to expect in PRP Hair Treatment Side Effects: What Is Normal After Treatment?.
What Else Should You Do If Your Hair Is Thinning?
Female pattern hair loss isn’t the only possible explanation for thinning hair.
Hair loss can have many causes, and some require medical investigation or a different form of treatment. If your hair loss is sudden, unexplained, patchy or accompanied by other symptoms, speak to your GP.
If you’re experiencing gradual thinning and considering PRP, a consultation can help establish whether it is an appropriate treatment to consider.
PRP for Female Hair Loss in Bristol, Taunton and Weston-super-Mare
At Azthetics, we offer PRP hair treatment for men and women at our Bristol, Taunton and Weston-super-Mare clinics.
We’ll discuss your hair concerns, explain how the treatment works and give you a realistic idea of what PRP may be able to achieve in your particular circumstances.
If you’d like to find out whether PRP could be suitable for your hair thinning, contact Azthetics to arrange a consultation or book online here.