Can PRP for Hair Loss Really Add Hair? Evidence, Sessions, Maintenance and Cost in Gangnam

Quick answer: For androgenetic (pattern) hair loss, meta-analyses found scalp PRP increased hair density by roughly 25 hairs per cm² compared with placebo, but the evidence is low-certainty and hair thickness didn't change. It's an add-on to your existing medication, not a replacement. At REPIC Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, it starts at 790,000 KRW (November 2026, VAT not included).

I'm Dr. Jay (Yongheon Ha), a doctor at REPIC Clinic in Gangnam. People asking about PRP for hair loss mostly want to know two things: how much hair it adds, and whether they can stop their medication. I'll answer both only as far as the research goes.

PRP is platelet-rich plasma, made by spinning your own blood in a centrifuge. Platelet growth factors (PDGF, TGF, VEGF and others) are described as possibly supporting tissue repair, and on the scalp, research has focused on androgenetic hair loss. Be aware that there's no standard method for preparing or administering PRP. That's one reason study results don't line up.

How much hair can PRP add?

Across 3 meta-analyses, hair density rose by roughly 25 hairs per cm² compared with placebo. So there is a number. But the certainty of that evidence is rated low. And hair thickness didn't change significantly. In other words, you may get more strands, but there's no data saying each strand gets thicker.

There's a negative result too. In a half-head trial of 35 people, the PRP side and the saline side showed no difference. Does that make it unreliable? I wouldn't put it that way. On average it moves in the right direction, but some people may not respond. That's how I explain it.

How many sessions, and when will I know if it's working?

The most common schedule is 3 sessions, once a month, and results are judged after 3 months, with assessments at 3 and 6 months. Hair grows slowly. No change right after the first session isn't failure, and improvement after a month or two isn't proof either.

That schedule reflects what studies used most often. How many sessions we recommend at REPIC Clinic is decided after the exam. Monthly visits are a real commitment if you live abroad, so tell us your travel plans at the consultation and we'll work out dates around your departure.

How long do the results last?

It isn't a one-off; it needs maintenance. There are reported cases of hair starting to shed again 12–16 months after finishing 3 sessions. So after the initial 3, maintenance every 3–6 months has been proposed. That interval is an expert suggestion, not a number set by comparative trials.

Think about this before you start. Without a maintenance plan, you may spend on the first round and end up back where you began. I ask whether you can keep it going before I ask whether you want to start.

Should I keep taking my hair loss medication or minoxidil?

Yes, keep your existing medication. PRP doesn't replace it. It adds to the treatment you're already on. There are reports that using PRP together with minoxidil increased density more than using one alone. That evidence is low-certainty too, but it points toward adding, not swapping.

Some people look into PRP because they want to stop their pills. I understand why. But there's no data showing PRP lets you stop medication. Tell us at the consultation what you're using for your hair and any other medication you take.

Who is scalp PRP for, and who isn't it for?

I recommend it for people diagnosed with androgenetic hair loss who are continuing their current treatment and want a little more density on top. I check first whether it really is androgenetic hair loss and what you're taking now. The research is on androgenetic hair loss, so for other causes, the numbers above don't apply.

I don't recommend it for:

• People who want to stop medication and rely on PRP alone. Keeping your current medication is the starting assumption.
• People hoping thin hair will get thicker. Thickness showed no significant difference.
• People planning to stop after the first 3 sessions with no maintenance. Shedding has been reported to resume.
• People with active cancer or an acute infection. We don't treat in those cases.

Female hair loss deserves its own note. There's more evidence in men, and results in women are mixed. That doesn't mean I won't recommend it. It means we set expectations lower and agree in advance that if there's no response at the 3- and 6-month assessments, we stop.

Does it hurt, and are there side effects?

The most common effect is brief local pain at the injection sites, and serious adverse events are rarely reported. Vision loss has been reported after PRP was injected between the eyebrows or into the forehead, but no such cases have been reported with scalp injections. Before-and-after care instructions are given on the day of treatment.

How much is PRP for hair loss in Gangnam? (November 2026)

At REPIC Clinic Gangnam, the PRP Cell Booster for scalp/body starts at 790,000 KRW for the basic option, as of November 2026, VAT not included. Korean and international patients pay the same.

Because this treatment continues into maintenance, look at whether the option is one you can sustain, not just the price of a single visit. Details are on the PRP Cell Booster page, and all prices are on our price list.

How we do it at REPIC

Scalp PRP has a lot to settle before it starts. First we confirm the type and stage of hair loss and the medication you're on, and decide whether adding PRP makes sense. Then we set the option and schedule. We draw blood, centrifuge it the same day, and the doctor treats you personally. At 3 and 6 months we review progress: if you're responding, we set a maintenance interval; if not, we decide together whether to stop. We try not to keep adding sessions when there's no response.

Related reading

• PRP Cell Booster for the face: where the evidence is solid and where it's weak
• Skin boosters in Korea, explained

Consultations and booking at REPIC Clinic Gangnam: book online

This article is general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary from person to person.