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.

Minoxidil Not Working? Here Is Why and What to Try Next (2026)

28 Apr

Written By Omar Elalfy

Why is minoxidil not working for me?

Minoxidil fails to produce meaningful visible results in approximately 40% of users. If you have been applying it consistently for 6 months or more without noticeable improvement, you are not alone, and there are clear biological reasons why it may not be working for you. The most common causes include genetic non-response (your body may lack sufficient sulfotransferase enzyme to convert minoxidil into its active form), untreated underlying conditions (iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, or hormonal imbalances that undermine any topical treatment), advanced hair loss that has progressed beyond what minoxidil alone can address, and the fundamental limitation that minoxidil targets only one pathway (blood flow) while hair loss involves multiple biological mechanisms simultaneously.

A clinical study published in Dermatologic Therapy demonstrated that minoxidil monotherapy achieves only 59% improvement, whereas combination therapy reaches 94.1%. This gap exists because hair loss is a multi-factorial condition that requires a multi-pathway treatment approach.

Minoxidil not delivering? Get assessed for PRP > WhatsApp

Why minoxidil has limits

Minoxidil works through a single mechanism: it opens potassium channels in vascular smooth muscle, dilating blood vessels in the scalp and improving blood flow to hair follicles. This prolongs the anagen (growth) phase and can stimulate some regrowth. However, minoxidil does not block DHT (the hormone causing follicular miniaturisation in androgenetic alopecia), does not deliver growth factors that regenerate weakened follicles, does not correct nutritional deficiencies affecting follicle health, and does not address autoimmune or inflammatory causes of hair loss.

When minoxidil is the only treatment being used, it addresses one piece of a multi-piece puzzle. This is why clinical evidence overwhelmingly favours combination therapy in 2026.

What to add when minoxidil is not enough

PRP therapy: the regenerative layer minoxidil lacks

PRP delivers concentrated growth factors from your own blood (PDGF, VEGF, TGF-beta, EGF, IGF) directly into the scalp via injection. These factors stimulate dormant follicles through biological pathways entirely separate from minoxidil's vascular mechanism. A 2025 meta-analysis of 43 randomised controlled trials involving 1,877 participants confirmed PRP independently increases hair density by an average of 31% at six months.

Crucially, PRP can work even when minoxidil has failed because the two treatments target different biological pathways. A patient whose follicles do not respond to improved blood flow may respond robustly to concentrated growth factor stimulation.

At The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness, patients who have plateaued on minoxidil are among our most common referrals. Our 87% success rate includes these patients.

PRP from £545 per session. Course of three: £1,455.

Microneedling: making minoxidil work harder

If you want to continue minoxidil but need better results, adding professional microneedling can significantly boost its effectiveness. A 2025 meta-analysis of 12 RCTs (631 patients) confirmed that microneedling combined with minoxidil significantly outperforms minoxidil alone. The micro-channels created by microneedling increase minoxidil absorption into the dermis by bypassing the skin barrier, and the wound-healing response independently stimulates follicle activity.

At The London PRP Clinic, microneedling is incorporated into PRP treatment sessions, delivering both enhanced minoxidil absorption and concentrated growth factors simultaneously.

Finasteride: the hormonal layer (men only)

If you are male and not already taking finasteride, this is typically the highest-impact addition to a minoxidil regimen. Finasteride blocks DHT production by approximately 70%, directly addressing the hormonal cause of follicular miniaturisation that minoxidil does not touch. Adding finasteride to minoxidil raises the improvement rate from 59% (minoxidil alone) to 94.1% (combination).

Finasteride requires a prescription and medical assessment. Our doctors at The London PRP Clinic can discuss its suitability and coordinate with your GP if appropriate.

Blood work: finding what else is going wrong

If minoxidil is not working, there may be an underlying condition undermining all treatment efforts. Iron deficiency (ferritin below 30 ng/mL) is the most common correctable factor, particularly in women. Thyroid dysfunction (both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) disrupts the hair growth cycle independently of androgenetic alopecia. Vitamin D deficiency (below 30 nmol/L) impairs follicle function. Hormonal imbalances (elevated androgens, PCOS) may be driving loss through mechanisms that topical minoxidil cannot address.

At The London PRP Clinic, our GMC-registered doctors recommend specific blood tests based on your hair loss pattern during your consultation. Correcting identified deficiencies alongside adding PRP often transforms treatment outcomes for patients who had plateaued on minoxidil alone.

Get assessed for combination therapy > WhatsApp

Should you stop minoxidil?

Generally, no. Even if minoxidil is not producing visible regrowth, it may still be slowing the rate of loss by maintaining blood flow to follicles that would otherwise miniaturise faster. Stopping minoxidil can trigger a shedding phase as follicles that were being maintained by the treatment lose their vascular support and enter the resting phase.

The better approach is to keep minoxidil as a baseline treatment and layer additional therapies on top. PRP plus minoxidil addresses hair loss from two complementary biological angles. Adding finasteride (men) creates a three-pronged approach that targets blood flow, hormonal cause, and growth factor regeneration simultaneously.

The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness: for patients who need more than minoxidil

If minoxidil alone is not delivering the results you need, our GMC-registered doctors will assess why, identify what additional factors are contributing to your hair loss, and build a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses every contributing pathway.

87% success rate including patients who have plateaued on minoxidil. PRP from £545. ExoRevive from £445.Combined from £500. 187+ five-star reviews. Marylebone and Canary Wharf. Free consultation.

Book your assessment > WhatsApp | Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com | Call: +44 20 3951 3429

Medical Disclaimer: Do not stop prescribed medications without consulting your doctor. Results vary. All treatments at The London PRP Clinic performed by GMC-registered doctors. Last reviewed March 2026.

Omar Elalfy