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.

PRP for Sports Injuries in London: Accelerating Recovery Through Regenerative Medicine

22 Mar

Written By Omar Elalfy

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

When you are injured, time matters. Every day away from training, competition, or simply the activities you love is a day too many. Traditional approaches to sports injuries — rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, and cortisone injections — focus on managing symptoms while your body heals at its own pace. They do not actively accelerate the healing process.

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy takes a fundamentally different approach. By concentrating the growth factors from your own blood and delivering them directly to the injured tissue, PRP amplifies your body's natural repair mechanisms. The result is faster healing, stronger tissue repair, and a quicker return to full function.

This is not theoretical. PRP is used by elite athletes, professional sports teams, and sports medicine practitioners worldwide. The evidence base has grown substantially, with the strongest data supporting its use in tendon injuries, muscle tears, and early joint degeneration. This guide covers the evidence, the conditions that respond best, and what treatment involves.

Injured and want to recover faster? Our doctors assess your injury, confirm the diagnosis, and determine whether PRP can accelerate your recovery.

Enquire on WhatsApp → | Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com

How PRP works for tissue healing

When you sustain a musculoskeletal injury — a torn tendon, strained muscle, or damaged ligament — your body launches a healing response that progresses through three overlapping phases: inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling. Each phase is orchestrated by growth factors and signalling molecules.

PRP works by delivering a concentrated dose of these same growth factors directly to the injury site. A standard blood sample contains a baseline level of platelets; PRP concentrates these to 3-8 times normal levels, creating a powerful biological stimulus for healing.

The key growth factors in PRP include platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which stimulates cell proliferation and tissue repair; transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), which promotes collagen synthesis and tissue remodelling; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which stimulates new blood vessel formation to improve nutrient delivery; insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which supports cell growth and differentiation; and fibroblast growth factor (FGF), which stimulates fibroblast activity and collagen production.

When delivered directly to injured tissue, this concentrated cocktail of growth factors accelerates every phase of healing — reducing the inflammatory period, enhancing cell proliferation, and promoting stronger, better-organised tissue repair.

Conditions with the strongest evidence

Tendon injuries (tendinopathy)

Tendon injuries are where PRP has its most robust evidence base. Tendons have a limited blood supply, which is why they heal slowly and are prone to chronic pain. PRP directly addresses this limitation by delivering growth factors and improving local blood supply.

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is one of the most studied conditions for PRP. A landmark randomised controlled trial demonstrated that PRP produced significantly better outcomes than cortisone at 6 months and 1 year. While cortisone provided faster initial pain relief, PRP produced superior long-term healing.

Achilles tendinopathy — chronic pain and degeneration in the Achilles tendon — responds well to PRP, particularly when combined with appropriate rehabilitation. Studies show improvement in both pain and tendon structure.

Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee) — common in runners, basketball players, and football players — has shown positive response to PRP in clinical trials, with improvements in pain and functional scores.

Rotator cuff tendinopathy — chronic shoulder pain from degenerative changes in the rotator cuff tendons — benefits from PRP both as a standalone treatment for partial tears and as an adjunct to surgical repair.

Muscle injuries

Muscle tears and strains are common in sport and can be frustratingly slow to heal, particularly hamstring injuries. PRP delivered to the site of a muscle tear has been shown to promote faster tissue repair and earlier return to activity. Several professional football clubs routinely use PRP for muscle injuries.

Ligament injuries

Ligament sprains — including medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries, ankle ligament sprains, and partial ACL tears — may benefit from PRP. The evidence is growing, with studies showing improved healing quality and faster recovery when PRP is combined with appropriate rehabilitation.

Early joint degeneration

For early-stage osteoarthritis and joint cartilage damage, PRP has shown meaningful benefit. By reducing inflammation within the joint, supporting cartilage health, and improving the synovial (joint fluid) environment, PRP can provide sustained pain relief and functional improvement. We cover this in more detail in our dedicated guide to PRP for joint pain.

PRP vs cortisone: why the long game matters

Cortisone injections remain one of the most commonly administered treatments for sports injuries. They are effective at rapidly reducing pain and inflammation. However, cortisone does not promote healing — it simply suppresses the inflammatory response that is part of the healing process.

For acute, one-off inflammatory conditions, this can be appropriate. But for chronic injuries, the picture is different. Repeated cortisone injections have been shown to weaken tendon tissue, making re-injury more likely. They can accelerate cartilage degeneration in joints. And the pain relief is often temporary, lasting weeks to months before returning.

PRP, by contrast, promotes genuine tissue repair. The improvement takes longer to develop (weeks rather than days), but the outcome is structural healing rather than symptom suppression. For athletes and active individuals who need their bodies to function at full capacity, this distinction matters enormously.

Cortisone wears off. PRP heals. Let us assess your injury and determine the best approach for genuine recovery.

Book Your Assessment on WhatsApp → | Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com

What treatment involves

Assessment. Your doctor takes a detailed history of your injury, examines the affected area, and may review any imaging (MRI, ultrasound) you have had. An accurate diagnosis is essential — PRP works best when we know exactly what we are treating.

Treatment. A blood sample is drawn and processed to prepare your PRP. Using ultrasound guidance where appropriate, the PRP is injected precisely into the injured tissue. The procedure takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

Recovery. Mild discomfort at the injection site for 24-48 hours is normal. We advise avoiding anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for 1-2 weeks after treatment, as these can interfere with the healing process PRP initiates. Light movement is encouraged; high-intensity loading is restricted for 1-2 weeks.

Rehabilitation. PRP is most effective when combined with a structured rehabilitation programme. The growth factors provide the biological stimulus for healing; rehabilitation ensures the healing tissue is loaded progressively and appropriately. We can coordinate with your physiotherapist to optimise your recovery.

Follow-up. We reassess your progress at 4-6 weeks and determine whether additional sessions are needed. Many injuries respond well to 1-3 sessions.

Get back to doing what you love — faster and stronger.

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📧 Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com 📍 Location: Marylebone, London (5 minutes from Baker Street) ⭐ 187 five-star reviews | Doctor-led regenerative sports medicine

Frequently asked questions

Does PRP work for sports injuries?

Yes. Strongest evidence for tendon injuries. Also beneficial for muscle tears, ligament sprains, and early joint degeneration.

How quickly does it work?

Improvement typically begins within 2-6 weeks, with progressive benefit over 3-6 months.

How many sessions do I need?

Usually 1-3 sessions depending on the injury type and severity.

Is it better than cortisone?

For chronic injuries, PRP produces better long-term outcomes. Cortisone provides faster pain relief but does not promote healing.

Can I exercise after treatment?

Light movement is encouraged. High-intensity exercise should be avoided for 1-2 weeks. Your doctor provides specific guidance.

This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Omar Elalfy