Where should I inject Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) one month after a hair transplant?

PRP Injection Location One Month After Hair Transplant

Inject PRP intradermally across the entire transplanted recipient area of the scalp at one month post-transplant, using a point-by-point technique with injections spaced 1 cm apart at 2-4 mm depth. 1

Injection Protocol at One Month Post-Transplant

The one-month timepoint represents the second injection in a standardized three-session protocol specifically designed for hair transplant patients. 1

Target Areas for Injection

• Map and inject the entire recipient area where hair grafts were transplanted, covering all zones that received follicular units 2
• Focus on areas of documented hair loss that underwent transplantation, treating the full extent of the surgical field 2
• Do not limit injections only to the transplanted grafts themselves—treat the entire scalp region to stimulate both transplanted follicles and dormant native follicles 3

Technical Injection Technique

• Use 30-gauge × 4 mm needles for all injections 2, 1
• Inject at a 90-degree angle perpendicular to the scalp surface 2, 1
• Depth of 2-4 mm (full bevel of the needle should penetrate the dermis) 2, 1
• Space injections 1 cm apart in a grid pattern across the mapped recipient area 2, 1
• Deliver 5-7 mL total PRP volume per session, using 0.05 to 0.1 mL/cm² 2, 1

Complete Post-Transplant PRP Schedule

Understanding where the one-month injection fits in the overall protocol is critical:

• Month 0 (Day of surgery): First PRP injection administered immediately after creating recipient slits 2, 1
• Month 1 (current timepoint): Second PRP injection as described above 2, 1
• Month 3: Third PRP injection completing the initial treatment phase 2, 1
• Every 6 months thereafter: Maintenance injections required indefinitely to sustain results 2, 1

Critical Technical Considerations

PRP Preparation Standards

• Use manual double-spin method to prepare PRP 2, 1
• Target platelet concentration of 1.0-1.5 million platelets per microliter 2, 1
• Do NOT activate the PRP—nonactivated PRP demonstrates 31% greater increases in hair count and density compared to activated preparations 2, 1, 4

Expected Outcomes at This Timepoint

• The one-month injection is strategically timed to reduce catagen loss of transplanted hair during the critical early post-transplant period 3
• This injection helps achieve >75% graft density by 4 weeks post-transplant 3
• Combined with the initial intraoperative injection, this protocol produces significantly greater follicle retention with clear statistical differences by 6 months (26.00 ± 4.63, p = 0.005) 2

Mandatory Concurrent Therapy

The one-month PRP injection should never be administered in isolation:

• Topical minoxidil 5% must be applied 1 mL twice daily throughout treatment and continued indefinitely 1, 4
• Finasteride should be continued as background therapy (ideally started 1 month before transplant) 2, 1, 5
• The triple combination (PRP + minoxidil + finasteride) represents the most effective evidence-based approach for optimal transplant outcomes 1, 4, 5

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not skip the one-month injection—the three-session protocol at months 0,1, and 3 is evidence-based and omitting any session compromises outcomes 2, 1
• Do not inject only along the hairline—treat the entire recipient area to maximize both transplanted and native follicle stimulation 2, 3
• Do not use activated PRP—this reduces efficacy by 31% compared to nonactivated preparations 2, 1, 4
• Do not inject too superficially—the 2-4 mm depth is critical for reaching the dermal layer where follicles reside 2, 1
• Do not forget maintenance injections—without 6-monthly maintenance after completing the initial three sessions, results will not be sustained long-term 2, 1, 4

Pain Management

• Apply pharmaceutical-grade topical numbing cream before the procedure, as pain during injection is the primary patient complaint 2, 4
• The 30-gauge needle minimizes discomfort compared to larger gauge needles 2, 1

Timeline for Visible Improvements

• Initial improvements become visible at 2-3 months after starting the protocol 1, 4
• By 6 months: Hair density increases by 1.74 times and hair diameter by 14.3 times compared to baseline 1, 4
• A 25% improvement in hair density at 2 months predicts sustained response at 6 months 2, 4