Will Hair Fall Out Again After Stopping PRP Injections?
Yes, your hair will likely fall out again if you stop PRP injections, as the treatment does not cure the underlying androgenetic alopecia—it only stimulates hair growth while actively being administered, similar to minoxidil. 1, 2
Understanding PRP's Temporary Effect
PRP works by increasing proliferative activity of hair follicle cells, enhancing perifollicular vascularization, and accelerating the transition from telogen (resting) to anagen (growth) phase through concentrated growth factors. 3 However, these effects are not permanent because:
- PRP does not address the underlying hormonal cause of androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss), which continues to miniaturize hair follicles over time 1, 2
- The growth factors and cellular stimulation provided by PRP are temporary interventions that require ongoing maintenance 3
Timeline of Hair Loss After Stopping PRP
Based on clinical evidence:
- Progressive hair loss begins approximately 12 months after the last PRP treatment in most patients who discontinue therapy 4
- Some patients report noticeable hair loss as early as 16 months after stopping treatment 4
- This pattern mirrors what occurs with minoxidil discontinuation, where hair growth benefits reverse within months 1, 2
Recommended Maintenance Strategy
The American Academy of Periodontology recommends a maintenance phase of 1 PRP session every 6 months after completing the initial treatment series to sustain hair growth benefits. 1 This approach:
- Prevents the relapse observed when treatment is completely discontinued 4
- Maintains the increased hair density, follicle diameter, and terminal hair count achieved during initial treatment 1, 3
- Is more cost-effective than restarting full treatment cycles after relapse 1
Optimal Long-Term Management
Combination therapy with PRP plus topical minoxidil 5% provides the most effective long-term approach and may reduce the frequency of PRP maintenance sessions needed:
- This combination shows 57% median increase in terminal hair density versus 48% with minoxidil alone at 32 weeks 1
- 83% of patients achieve a negative hair pull test (reduced hair fragility) with combination therapy 1
- Continue minoxidil indefinitely between PRP maintenance sessions, as it must be used continuously to maintain benefits 1, 2
Critical Clinical Pitfall
The most common mistake is stopping all treatment after achieving desired results, which leads to predictable relapse within 12-16 months. 4 Instead, transition to the maintenance protocol of PRP every 6 months plus daily minoxidil to preserve your gains. 1