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.

Telogen Effluvium: Why Your Hair Is Falling Out in Clumps (and How to Stop It)

29 Apr

Written By Omar Elalfy

What is telogen effluvium?

Telogen effluvium is a form of diffuse hair shedding in which a physiological or emotional shock pushes a large percentage of hair follicles into the resting (telogen) phase simultaneously. Approximately 2 to 3 months later, these follicles shed their hair, resulting in sudden, dramatic thinning that affects the entire scalp. It is the second most common cause of hair loss after androgenetic alopecia and affects both men and women of all ages.

Unlike pattern hair loss (which follows a predictable progression at the temples and crown), telogen effluvium causes diffuse shedding across the whole scalp. Patients typically notice large amounts of hair in the shower, on the pillow, and in the brush, and may feel that their ponytail has lost half its volume or that their part line has widened significantly.

The reassuring reality: acute telogen effluvium is temporary and self-resolving in most cases once the trigger is addressed. However, when shedding persists, unmasks genetic thinning, or significantly affects quality of life, treatment can accelerate recovery.

Experiencing sudden hair shedding? Get assessed > WhatsApp

What triggers telogen effluvium?

The trigger occurs 2 to 3 months before the shedding begins. This delay is why many patients struggle to connect their hair loss with the cause.

Physical illness or high fever. Any significant illness including COVID-19, influenza, pneumonia, or severe infection can trigger telogen effluvium. Post-COVID hair shedding became one of the most widely recognised triggers during 2020 to 2023 and continues to be reported.

Major surgery or anaesthesia. The physical stress of surgery, combined with anaesthesia and post-operative recovery, frequently triggers shedding.

Childbirth. Postpartum telogen effluvium affects up to 50% of new mothers, driven by the rapid oestrogen withdrawal following delivery.

Severe emotional stress. Bereavement, relationship breakdown, job loss, financial crisis, or prolonged anxiety can trigger the cortisol-mediated stress response that disrupts the hair growth cycle.

Crash dieting or rapid weight loss. Losing more than 10kg over a short period frequently triggers shedding. Hair is a non-essential tissue that the body deprioritises when caloric intake drops dramatically.

Medication changes. Starting or stopping hormonal contraception, beta-blockers, anticoagulants (blood thinners), retinoids (acne medication), and certain antidepressants can all trigger telogen effluvium.

Thyroid dysfunction. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism disrupt the hair growth cycle and can cause persistent shedding until thyroid levels are stabilised.

Iron deficiency. Low ferritin (below 30 ng/mL) is one of the most common and most treatable triggers, particularly in women.

The recovery timeline

Months 1 to 3 after trigger: No visible hair loss yet. The internal shift has occurred but the resting phase takes 2 to 3 months before shedding begins.

Months 3 to 6 after trigger: Peak shedding. The most alarming period. Large volumes of hair fall daily.

Months 6 to 9: Shedding begins to slow. New growth (short baby hairs) may become visible at the hairline and part.

Months 9 to 12: Progressive recovery. Density gradually returns toward pre-trigger levels.

Beyond 12 months: If shedding persists, the condition may have become chronic telogen effluvium (trigger still present) or the episode has unmasked underlying androgenetic alopecia. Medical assessment is essential at this point.

Treatment approach

Step 1: Identify and address the trigger

This is the most important step. If the trigger is an ongoing condition (iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, chronic stress, nutritional inadequacy), the shedding will not resolve until the trigger is addressed. Blood work (ferritin, thyroid function, vitamin D, B12, zinc) is essential.

Step 2: Nutritional support

Correct any identified deficiencies. Iron supplementation for low ferritin. Vitamin D supplementation (1,000 to 4,000 IU daily). Adequate protein intake (at least 1g per kilogram of body weight). Medical-grade supplements such as Viviscal Professional to provide comprehensive follicular nutrition.

Step 3: PRP therapy (for persistent or severe cases)

PRP accelerates telogen effluvium recovery by delivering concentrated growth factors that stimulate follicles to re-enter the active growth phase more quickly. PRP is particularly indicated when shedding persists beyond 6 months, when the episode has revealed underlying genetic thinning requiring ongoing treatment, when the volume of loss is significantly affecting confidence and quality of life, or when patients want to proactively accelerate recovery rather than waiting.

PRP is safe and compatible with all other telogen effluvium treatments. At The London PRP Clinic: from £545 per session, 87% success rate.

Step 4: Monitor and reassess

Standardised photography at regular intervals objectively tracks recovery. If shedding resolves completely, no further treatment may be needed. If underlying genetic thinning is revealed, a long-term maintenance plan (PRP plus pharmaceutical treatment where appropriate) is recommended.

When telogen effluvium reveals something else

In approximately 20 to 30% of patients, the telogen effluvium episode unmasks underlying androgenetic alopecia that was previously unnoticeable. The hormonal shift or nutritional stress that triggered the acute shedding also accelerated the genetic miniaturisation that had been slowly progressing in the background.

These patients recover from the acute shedding but find that their hair does not return to its pre-trigger fullness. The thinning that remains is genetic pattern loss requiring ongoing management with combination therapy (finasteride for men, minoxidil, PRP).

This is another reason why medical assessment is valuable. Our doctors at The London PRP Clinic can distinguish between pure telogen effluvium (which will resolve fully) and telogen effluvium overlaying genetic thinning (which requires ongoing treatment) through clinical examination, hair pull testing, and scalp assessment.

Get a proper diagnosis > WhatsApp

The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness

Our GMC-registered doctors provide comprehensive telogen effluvium assessment including trigger identification, blood work guidance, treatment planning, and ongoing monitoring.

PRP from £545. ExoRevive from £445. 87% success rate. 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: Telogen effluvium requires medical assessment to identify the trigger and rule out other conditions. All consultations at The London PRP Clinic conducted by GMC-registered doctors. Last reviewed March 2026.

Omar Elalfy