What is PRP treatment for hair loss?

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) treatment for hair loss uses your body's own natural growth factors to revive thinning hair, strengthen follicles and boost new growth. The London PRP Clinic offers doctor-led PRP treatments for hair, scalp, and beard growth with proven results.

Does PRP work for beard growth?

Yes, PRP beard growth treatment is highly effective for filling patchy areas, enhancing beard density, and promoting thicker facial hair. Our doctor-led PRP beard treatment at £395 per session uses platelet-rich plasma to stimulate dormant hair follicles in the beard area.

How much does PRP treatment cost in London?

PRP treatment prices at The London PRP Clinic range from £395 for PRP Hair Signature or Beard PRP single sessions, to £545 for comprehensive treatments. We offer package discounts - for example, 3 PRP Hair sessions cost £1,085 (save £100).

What PRP services are available at The London PRP Clinic?

We offer PRP treatments for hair loss, beard growth, facial rejuvenation, under-eye treatment, knee joint pain, and scalp health. All treatments are doctor-led and evidence-based, delivered at our Marylebone, Canary Wharf, and Belgravia London locations.

How much does PRP cost for hair loss in London?

At The London PRP Clinic, PRP hair treatment costs £545 per session including Viviscal™ supplements and organic oils. Most patients need 3-4 initial sessions (package available at £1,500, saving £135). ExoRevive exosome treatment is £445 per session.

Does PRP really work for hair loss?

Yes, clinical studies show PRP is 70-90% effective for androgenetic alopecia. At our clinic, 87% of patients report significant improvement with an average 32% increase in hair density after 3-4 sessions. Results are best for Norwood stages 1-4.

What's better PRP or hair transplant?

PRP is ideal for early-stage hair loss (Norwood 1-4): non-surgical, no downtime, £545 per session. Hair transplants suit advanced loss (Norwood 5-7): permanent but surgical, 2-week recovery, £3,000-15,000. Many combine both for optimal results - PRP strengthens existing hair and enhances transplant survival.

How long do PRP results last?

PRP results typically last 12-18 months with proper maintenance. After initial 3-4 sessions, maintenance treatments every 6 months sustain results. Some patients using our combined protocol (PRP + supplements) report results lasting up to 2 years.

Is PRP painful for hair?

PRP involves minimal discomfort. We use topical numbing cream 30 minutes before treatment. Most patients rate pain as 2-3/10, describing it as 'mild pinching.' The entire procedure takes 60 minutes with no downtime - you can return to work immediately.

Can I wash my hair after PRP?

Wait 24 hours before washing your hair after PRP. Use lukewarm water and gentle shampoo for the first wash. Avoid swimming pools, saunas, and intense exercise for 48 hours. We provide detailed aftercare instructions and organic hair oil for optimal healing.

What are the newest hair loss treatments in 2025?

The newest effective hair loss treatments in 2025 include low-dose oral minoxidil (2.5-5mg daily), topical finasteride (0.25%), platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and low-level laser therapy devices. Emerging treatments like JAK inhibitors and topical androgen receptor antagonists are showing promising results in clinical trials.

Does oral minoxidil work for hair loss?

Yes, low-dose oral minoxidil (2.5-5mg daily) has proven highly effective for both male and female pattern hair loss. Studies show it's particularly effective for overall thinning, with manageable side effects primarily limited to mild hypertrichosis (extra hair growth).

Is PRP effective for hair restoration?

Yes, PRP therapy has demonstrated significant improvement in hair count and thickness in clinical trials. Most patients see noticeable results after 3-4 sessions, using the body's own growth factors to stimulate dormant hair follicles.

What's the best hair loss treatment in London?

The best hair loss treatment depends on your specific condition, but combination therapy often yields optimal results. The London PRP Clinic offers personalised treatment plans combining PRP therapy with other evidence-based treatments. Book a free consultation to determine the best approach for your hair loss pattern.

How much does PRP hair treatment cost in London?

PRP hair treatment costs vary based on the number of sessions needed. The London PRP Clinic offers competitive pricing with free initial consultations. Contact us via WhatsApp for a personalised quote based on your specific treatment needs.

Finasteride for Hair Loss: The Honest Doctor's Guide to Results, Side Effects, and Alternatives

18 Mar

Written By Omar Elalfy

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor at The PRP Clinic | Last updated: February 2026

Finasteride — sold under the brand name Propecia — is one of the most prescribed medications for male pattern hair loss worldwide. UK search volumes for finasteride now exceed 75,000 per month, reflecting just how many men are considering or already using this treatment. It is, without question, one of the most effective pharmaceutical interventions for androgenetic alopecia.

It is also one of the most debated.

For every man who credits finasteride with saving his hair, there is another who worries about the sexual side effects, the commitment to lifelong daily medication, or the question of what happens if he stops. The internet is filled with conflicting information — from pharmaceutical marketing downplaying risks to forums catastrophising about worst-case scenarios.

This guide cuts through both extremes. We explain how finasteride works, what the clinical evidence actually shows about its effectiveness and side effects, who should and should not consider it, and why regenerative treatments like PRP are increasingly chosen as either an alternative or complement to finasteride.

Want to explore your options? Our doctors discuss the full range of evidence-based treatments — including PRP and finasteride — and help you choose what is right for your situation.

Get Honest Advice on WhatsApp → | Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com

How finasteride works

Male pattern hair loss is driven by a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In genetically susceptible men, DHT binds to receptors on hair follicles, causing them to gradually miniaturise — producing progressively thinner, shorter, finer hair until eventually the follicle stops producing visible hair altogether.

Finasteride works by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase (specifically the type II isoenzyme), which converts testosterone into DHT. By blocking this conversion, finasteride reduces scalp DHT levels by approximately 60-70%. With less DHT reaching vulnerable follicles, the miniaturisation process slows significantly — and in many cases, partially reverses.

This mechanism is straightforward and well understood. The challenge lies in the fact that DHT is not just involved in hair loss — it plays roles throughout the male body in sexual function, mood regulation, neurosteroid production, and other physiological processes. This is why the side effect profile of finasteride extends beyond the scalp.

What the evidence shows about effectiveness

Finasteride has over 25 years of clinical data behind it. The evidence for its effectiveness is strong.

Large-scale trials demonstrate that over 80% of men maintain their existing hair or experience improvement after two years of daily use. Around 65% experience visible regrowth, particularly at the crown and mid-scalp. A long-term Japanese study following men for 10 years found that 90% maintained their hair while on continuous treatment. The medication is most effective when started early, before significant miniaturisation has occurred.

However, finasteride has clear limitations. It requires daily use — indefinitely. Results take 3-6 months to become visible, with peak improvement at 12-24 months. The medication is most effective at the crown and less effective at the temples and frontal hairline. Stopping treatment leads to reversal of gains within 6-12 months, as DHT levels return to normal. Roughly 20% of men do not respond meaningfully to treatment.

Side effects: what the data actually shows

This is the section most men want to read first. We present the evidence honestly.

Sexual side effects are the most commonly reported. Clinical trial data shows decreased libido in approximately 1.8% of men taking finasteride versus 1.3% on placebo. Erectile dysfunction occurs in approximately 1.3% versus 0.7% on placebo. Reduced ejaculatory volume is reported in approximately 0.8% versus 0.4% on placebo. These rates are low in absolute terms, and for most men who experience them, they resolve after discontinuation.

Mood and psychological effects including depression and anxiety have been reported. The UK's MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) has updated finasteride's labelling to include anxiety as a recognised side effect, and the drug's safety has been under ongoing review. Some men report cognitive changes including difficulty concentrating, though this is less well quantified in formal studies.

Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) refers to the persistence of sexual, neurological, or psychological side effects after stopping finasteride. PFS remains a subject of ongoing debate in the medical community. It is not formally recognised by major regulatory bodies as a distinct condition, and some researchers suggest the nocebo effect (where expecting side effects triggers their experience) plays a significant role. However, published case series document men with persistent symptoms, and research into the mechanism — potentially involving disrupted neurosteroid production — continues. The reality is that while persistent side effects appear to be rare, they cannot be dismissed, and they deserve transparent discussion.

The honest summary: for the vast majority of men who take finasteride, it is well tolerated and effective. A small percentage experience side effects, most of which resolve on stopping. An even smaller number report persistent problems. Whether these risks are acceptable is a deeply personal decision that should be made with full information — not downplayed or exaggerated.

You deserve an honest conversation about your options. Our doctors discuss the full picture — benefits, risks, and alternatives — so you can make the right choice.

Discuss Your Options on WhatsApp → | Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com

Why many men are choosing PRP instead

The concerns around finasteride — particularly among younger men — have driven significant interest in PRP as a hormone-free alternative. This shift is backed by clinical evidence.

PRP works through an entirely different mechanism. Rather than manipulating hormone levels, PRP delivers concentrated growth factors from your own blood directly to the scalp. These growth factors stimulate follicle regeneration, promote blood vessel formation, reduce inflammation, and support the production of thicker, healthier hair.

The advantages of PRP over finasteride include no hormonal manipulation (no impact on DHT, testosterone, or neurosteroids), no sexual side effects, no mood-related risks, no daily medication requirement, suitability for both men and women, and the stimulation of natural healing rather than pharmacological dependence.

Clinical studies comparing PRP to finasteride have shown PRP producing comparable or superior improvements in hair density in certain patient populations. Importantly, PRP does not require lifelong daily use — periodic maintenance treatments sustain results.

Combining finasteride and PRP

For men who are comfortable taking finasteride and want to maximise results, combining it with PRP can be highly effective. The two treatments work through complementary mechanisms — finasteride reduces the hormonal driver of miniaturisation while PRP actively stimulates follicle regeneration and scalp health.

Some patients use this combination as a way to eventually reduce their reliance on finasteride — building follicle strength through PRP while gradually assessing whether the medication dose can be lowered. This is a conversation best had with your doctor, based on your individual response and goals.

The complete approach at The PRP Clinic

Whether you choose PRP alone, PRP combined with medication, or simply want guidance on the best approach for your situation, our doctor-led assessment covers comprehensive blood testing to identify all contributing factors, honest discussion of all treatment options with their benefits and limitations, personalised PRP therapy using advanced preparation techniques, nutritional optimisation based on your individual blood results, and ongoing monitoring and support.

We do not push any single treatment. We provide information, assess your situation, and help you make the decision that is right for you.

Whether you are considering finasteride, already taking it, or looking for alternatives — we can help you find the right approach.

Book Your Consultation on WhatsApp →

📧 Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com 📍 Location: Marylebone, London (5 minutes from Baker Street) ⭐ 187 five-star reviews | Honest, doctor-led hair restoration

Frequently asked questions

Does finasteride work?

Yes. Over 80% of men maintain or improve hair count with daily use. It is most effective when started early.

What are the side effects?

Sexual side effects (decreased libido, erectile dysfunction) in 1-4% of users. Mood changes in some men. Most resolve on stopping.

Is there a natural alternative?

PRP is the leading evidence-based, hormone-free alternative, with comparable results and no systemic side effects.

Can women take it?

Not recommended for premenopausal women. Contraindicated in pregnancy. PRP is a safer option for women.

What happens if I stop?

Hair loss typically resumes within 6-12 months as DHT levels return to normal.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or stopping any medication.

Omar Elalfy