PRP can slow pattern hair fall and improve density for some patients, but it does not replace lost follicles and needs repeat sessions to hold its effect. A hair transplant moves permanent follicles into thinned or bald areas. For early, mild thinning, PRP with medication is a reasonable start. For established baldness with a stable pattern, a transplant is usually the answer. Some patients use both.
Reviewed by Dr. Chowdhury Rashedul Mughni, BMDC reg. A 41174. This page is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for in-person clinical assessment by a qualified plastic surgeon. Treatment decisions depend on individual factors that can only be evaluated during a consultation with Dr. Mughni.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy is a non-surgical treatment that injects a concentrate of the patient’s own platelets into the scalp to support weakening hair follicles, mainly in pattern hair fall (androgenetic alopecia). Patients who ask Dr. Mughni about PRP hair loss treatment in Dhaka usually want one answer: will it be enough, or do they need a transplant?
At a glance: PRP vs hair transplant
PRP supports existing follicles and needs ongoing sessions. A transplant adds permanent follicles, usually in one procedure.
| Feature | PRP therapy | Hair transplant (FUE / FUT) |
|---|---|---|
| How it is performed | A small blood sample is spun in a centrifuge and the platelet-rich layer injected into the scalp | Follicles from the permanent donor zone at the back and sides of the head are implanted into thinned areas |
| Suitable candidate | Early or mild pattern hair fall, where follicles are thinning but still present | Established baldness (generally Norwood grade 3 or higher) with a stable pattern and enough donor hair |
| Sessions | Usually monthly for 3 months, then every 3 to 6 months | Usually one procedure; a second session for density is sometimes planned after about a year |
| Recovery | Most people return to normal activity the same or next day | A surgical recovery period; temporary shedding of transplanted hair is expected |
| Scarring | No scarring expected | Tiny dot scars (FUE) or a fine linear scar (FUT) in the donor area |
| How long it lasts | Effect fades without maintenance sessions | Transplanted follicles are permanent; native hair can still thin over time |
| Cost basis | Priced per session; total depends on the course and maintenance | BDT 25 to 65 per graft depending on technique; total depends on graft count |
Final cost for either option is set only after a first assessment at consultation.
Does PRP work, and when is it the right choice?
PRP can modestly improve density in early pattern hair fall, and it is most useful alongside medication while follicles are still alive.
The concentrated platelets release growth factors such as PDGF, VEGF, and TGF-beta, which are thought to support the cells at the base of the follicle. The exact mechanism is not fully established.
The evidence is mixed. A 2023 meta-analysis of nine randomised trials (238 patients, Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery) found that PRP increased hair density at three and six months compared with placebo, but did not significantly improve hair count or thickness. A 2020 placebo-controlled trial of 30 men (Acta Dermato-Venereologica) found no improvement from PRP on its own. A 2019 expert consensus on pattern hair loss in India (International Journal of Trichology) recommends PRP as an addition to minoxidil or finasteride, not as a stand-alone treatment.
PRP suits:
• Men and women with early pattern hair fall who want to slow it down (female pattern hair fall has its own considerations)
• Patients who are not yet candidates for surgery, such as younger men whose pattern is still changing
• Patients already using medication who want additional support
PRP is not suitable for everyone. It should be avoided with very low platelet counts, platelet or bleeding disorders, active scalp infection, or a serious acute illness such as sepsis. Recent use of anti-inflammatory painkillers or steroids, anaemia, and smoking need to be reviewed before treatment.
When is a hair transplant the right choice?
A transplant is the right choice when follicles in the thinned area are already lost, the pattern is stable, and the donor area can supply enough grafts.
Once a follicle has stopped producing hair, neither injections nor medicine can be relied on to bring it back. A transplant moves follicles from the back and sides of the scalp, which resist pattern hair fall, into the area that needs coverage. It uses one of two main harvesting techniques, FUE and FUT, and the American Academy of Dermatology describes hair transplant surgery as the option for a permanent result.
A transplant is usually considered when:
• Hair fall has reached Norwood grade 3 or beyond
• The pattern has been stable rather than rapidly progressing
• Medical treatment has been tried without enough improvement
• The donor area has adequate density
Younger patients need extra caution, because a hairline placed too early can look unnatural once surrounding hair continues to thin. A guide to estimating graft numbers explains how coverage is planned by Norwood level and donor capacity.
How does Dr. Mughni decide which is right for a patient?
The decision rests on three questions: how much hair is lost, whether the pattern is stable, and what result the patient expects.
For Dr. Mughni, an honest discussion before any treatment is a must, whether the plan is PRP, medication, or surgery. During assessment, he examines the pattern of hair fall and the donor density, and asks how quickly the thinning has progressed and what has already been tried.
A patient in the early stage is usually guided toward medication and non-surgical support first. A patient with established, stable baldness and a good donor area is assessed for surgery. Where PRP is being considered, it is discussed alongside the other options set out on the non-surgical treatment options page.
Expectations matter as much as the scalp. A transplant is not an overnight change, and the early months can be discouraging for patients who are not prepared. Dr. Chowdhury Rashedul Mughni notes:
“Following natural hairline and density keeps the result natural. Patients have to accept the fact that it will take time to see visible result. There will be hair fall which is absolutely normal after hair transplantation.”
PRP needs the same clear expectations. It is a supportive treatment with a modest, variable effect, and it cannot reverse years of hair fall.
What are the honest trade-offs?
PRP is low-risk but temporary and uncertain in effect. A transplant gives a permanent result but involves surgery, recovery time, and a donor scar.
PRP trade-offs. A session feels much like a routine blood test followed by a series of small scalp injections, and the scalp can stay tender and red for the rest of the day. Other side effects are also short-lived: scalp pain during injection, mild swelling, headache, and occasionally a brief increase in shedding. The larger issue is uncertainty: preparation is not standardised, platelet concentration varies between systems, and the ideal number of sessions has not been agreed. The effect also fades if maintenance stops.
Transplant trade-offs. Beyond the surgery, recovery, and donor scar, there is a wait before the result shows. Transplanted hair commonly sheds after the procedure before regrowing, as the day-by-day recovery guide explains. Native hair can keep thinning, so medication is often still advised afterwards.
Using both. PRP is sometimes used alongside a transplant. A 2025 systematic review of three studies (Cureus) found PRP was associated with better graft survival, higher density, and earlier growth, but the authors described the evidence as limited and called for larger trials.
Frequently asked questions
Does PRP really work for hair loss?
For some patients, yes, but modestly. Trials show PRP can improve hair density in pattern hair fall, while results for hair count and thickness are inconsistent. It helps most in early thinning and alongside medication such as minoxidil or finasteride. It does not regrow hair where follicles have already been lost.
How many PRP sessions are needed?
A common schedule is one session a month for three months, followed by maintenance every three to six months. There is no single agreed protocol, so the plan depends on the stage of hair fall and the response. Any benefit gradually fades if maintenance sessions stop, which should be considered before starting.
Is PRP better than a hair transplant?
They do different jobs, so one is not better in general. PRP supports thinning follicles that are still present. A transplant replaces follicles that have been lost, using permanent donor hair. For early thinning, PRP with medication is reasonable. For established, stable baldness, a transplant is usually the more effective option.
How much does PRP cost in Dhaka?
PRP is priced per session, so the total cost depends on how many sessions the course needs and how often maintenance continues afterwards. The final figure is set after a first assessment at consultation. A transplant is priced differently, at BDT 25 to 65 per graft depending on technique, with the total based on graft count.
What are the side effects of PRP for hair?
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. They include scalp pain during injection, redness, slight swelling, headache, and occasionally a brief increase in shedding. PRP is not suitable for people with very low platelet counts, bleeding disorders, or an active scalp infection, so a medical history is taken before treatment.
Choosing with the full picture
Hair fall affects confidence, and it deserves a straight answer about what can be restored. PRP and a transplant each have a place, and the right choice depends on how much hair has been lost and what the patient expects. More about his training and experience is on Dr. Mughni’s profile page. Patients who want their own hair fall assessed can arrange a consultation with Dr. Mughni at EKAGRA Health to discuss which option suits them.
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