Why hair PRP DOES work for your hair

If you are concerned about your hair density, you no longer need to be, because what was once considered a problem without a solution now has an effective treatment. It is called Hair PRP, and here in Madrid you can find it at Instituto Médico del Prado. It is an advanced yet completely safe treatment through which we help your hair grow again. Would you like to discover how Hair PRP works?

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What is it?

Hair PRP is one of the treatments we perform most frequently at Instituto Médico del Prado. It is used to increase the thickness of the hair follicles in the scalp. We also commonly prescribe it for patients who have undergone a hair transplant to help the grafts grow strong and healthy while promoting full recovery of the donor area.

The initials PRP stand for Platelet-Rich Plasma. It is a regenerative medicine treatment in which we use the patient’s own growth factors to stimulate the growth and thickening of miniaturised hair.

PRP is classically defined as a volume of autologous plasma that contains a higher concentration of platelets than whole blood. Platelets are a natural reservoir of growth factors that are released when they become activated. For this reason, the principle behind the preparation and use of PRP is to increase the platelet concentration in the area being treated—in this case, the scalp—thereby triggering an exponential release of numerous bioactive factors and, consequently, enhancing and stimulating the hair thickening process.

How it is performed

Each PRP session lasts approximately 45 minutes. First, we draw a blood sample from the patient. Next, the blood is centrifuged to separate the platelet-rich plasma. Finally, this enriched plasma is injected into the areas with reduced hair density using intradermal microinjections.

As platelet-rich plasma is obtained from the platelet concentrate produced by centrifuging the patient’s blood, all PRP procedures must be carried out in accordance with European regulations and the guidelines of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS).

At Instituto Médico del Prado, we strictly follow the protocol established by the AEMPS because ensuring the quality of our treatments and the safety of our patients is one of our highest priorities.

The procedure must be performed using a closed system and closed technique. A mechanically closed system prevents environmental contaminants from entering the product or device and also prevents the accidental release of PRP outside the system. This minimises the risk of contamination, ensures the quality of the PRP, and allows it to be stored if necessary. A closed technique is one that uses a closed system throughout every stage of PRP preparation, from blood collection to the final product ready for administration.

“At our clinic, every PRP treatment is preceded by a diagnostic consultation with Dr. Espinosa Custodio, and we ask each patient to undergo a complete blood test to assess their overall state of health.”

Discomfort during the procedure is minimal, and no recovery period is required afterwards. However, the number of PRP sessions needed should always be determined and prescribed by a doctor specialising in trichology.

Results

The benefits of PRP are so significant that its potential has been developed in many other areas of medicine, including traumatology, maxillofacial surgery, dentistry, and others.

Every patient responds differently, but the results of PRP may become visible from the third treatment session onwards. This will depend on each patient’s individual condition. In cases of more advanced alopecia, PRP can be combined with other treatments, such as mesotherapy, to enhance and accelerate the results. In some cases, intradermal PRP and mesotherapy treatments may also need to be combined with oral medication. The most appropriate treatment plan will always depend on the patient’s condition, which will be assessed by the doctor during the diagnostic consultation.

PRP is recommended for both men and women who wish to increase their hair density. At Instituto Médico del Prado, in addition to performing hair transplants, we also carry out numerous PRP hair treatments to improve hair quality without the need for surgery.

However, every patient progresses differently because every individual is unique. For this reason, treatment should always be prescribed by a doctor specialising in hair medicine. At our clinic in Madrid, Dr. Espinosa Custodio performs the diagnosis using HairMetrix by Canfield, an advanced digital dermatoscope that analyses follicular density and hair shaft thickness. A proper diagnosis should never be underestimated, as it helps ensure that the chosen treatment is truly the most appropriate for each patient.

In our experience, almost all hair medicine treatments require time and patience. Unfortunately, there is no magic wand that can restore hair overnight.

The effectiveness of PRP is supported not only by our daily clinical experience but also by scientific evidence. Since Dr. Takikawa conducted the first controlled clinical trial on PRP in 2011, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated the benefits of PRP in hair restoration medicine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Dutasteride Mesotherapy compatible?

Yes. They are two complementary treatments and are commonly combined in most patients with androgenetic alopecia.

When is Hair PRP recommended?

PRP is recommended when there is follicular miniaturisation. It is important for the doctor to carry out the diagnosis using a dermatoscope capable of measuring hair thickness and helping to monitor the patient’s progress.

Is PRP treatment painful?

The treatment consists of microinjections and takes approximately 2–4 minutes to perform, so anaesthesia is generally not necessary. For patients who are more sensitive to pain, the doctor may apply local anaesthesia.

How many sessions are required?

This depends on the degree of hair miniaturisation present in each patient. Results usually begin to become noticeable after the third session.

Are there any contraindications?

Although it is a very safe treatment because it uses the patient’s own blood, the doctor must first carry out a full medical history during the diagnostic consultation to assess the patient’s overall health.

Does it leave marks on the skin?

As the injections are very small, the puncture marks are barely noticeable. There may be slight redness, which usually disappears the following day.

Is it dangerous?

It is a safe procedure provided it is carried out in accordance with the current healthcare regulations in the Community of Madrid. It must be performed under strict aseptic conditions to minimise the risk of contamination.

Can I wash my hair?

Yes. You can wash your hair the day after the treatment.

Can I exercise?

It is advisable to avoid intense physical exercise on the day of the treatment. You can resume your normal sporting activities the following day without any problems.

Dr. Espinosa Custodio works at Instituto Médico del Prado, his hair clinic in Madrid and Mexico City. If you would like to book an appointment, you can contact us by phone on +34 912 468 664, via WhatsApp +34 627 396 322, or through the contact page on our website. If you are contacting us from Mexico, our phone number is +52 55 4590 9909.