PRP vs Hair Transplant and How to Know Which One You Actually Need
If you are losing your hair, you have likely spent hours comparing treatments. Two options dominate the conversation: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and hair transplant surgery. One is a non-invasive maintenance treatment; the other is a surgical relocation of hair follicles.
Understanding the difference is critical because they solve different problems. Choosing the wrong one can mean wasted money or unnecessary scarring.
This guide breaks down the costs, recovery times, and results of both to help you decide which path is right for your stage of hair loss.
The Fundamental Difference
A hair transplant moves hair follicles from a "safe zone" (usually the back of your head) to the thinning or bald areas. It is a structural fix. If a follicle is dead and gone, a transplant is the only way to put hair back in that spot.
PRP therapy rehabilitates existing follicles. It uses growth factors from your own blood to wake up dormant follicles, thicken miniaturised hairs, and prolong the growth phase. It cannot create a new follicle where one has completely disappeared, but it can make thin, wispy hair thick and robust again.
Who Should Choose PRP
PRP is the gold standard for early to moderate hair loss. If you can see your scalp through your hair but you are not completely bald, PRP is likely your best starting point.
It is particularly effective for:
Diffuse thinning: General loss of density across the scalp.
Early recession: Keeping the hairline where it is.
Crown thinning: Strengthening the "bald spot" before it becomes bare skin.
Women: Female pattern hair loss is often diffuse, making PRP an excellent option where transplants might not be suitable.
Because it is non-surgical, there is no downtime. You can have treatment on your lunch break and go back to work.
Book a consultation to assess your hair density here
Who Should Choose a Transplant
A transplant is necessary when the hair follicle is truly dead. If you have a slick, shiny bald patch with no fuzz whatsoever, no amount of stimulation will bring it back.
Transplants are best for:
Restoring a lost hairline: Lowering a hairline that has receded significantly.
Filling bald patches: Areas where density is zero.
Advanced hair loss: Norwood scale 4 and above.
However, surgery comes with a "ugly duckling" phase, scabbing, potential scarring, and a recovery period of several weeks.
The Cost Comparison
This is often the deciding factor.
A hair transplant in the UK typically costs between £3,000 and £10,000, depending on the number of grafts. It is a large upfront investment.
PRP therapy is much more accessible, typically costing £250 to £500 per session. You usually need a course of three to four sessions to start, followed by maintenance every few months. You can spread the cost over time rather than needing a lump sum.
Why You Might Need Both
Here is the secret most clinics won't tell you: It is rarely "either/or."
If you have a transplant, you still need to stop the rest of your hair from falling out. A surgeon might fill in your hairline, but if the hair behind that transplant keeps thinning, you will be left with an odd-looking island of hair at the front.
Surgeons now recommend PRP before and after transplant surgery.
Before: To strengthen the donor area and improve scalp health.
After: To accelerate healing and improve the survival rate of the transplanted grafts. Evidence suggests PRP can increase graft survival by up to 15-20%.
Making the Decision
If you still have hair, protect it. It is far easier and cheaper to keep the hair you have than to surgically replace it later. PRP is your best defence against further loss.
If you are already bald in areas, a transplant is your solution, but PRP will protect your investment and keep the surrounding hair healthy.
Don't wait until it's too late to save your existing density.
