NON-SURGICAL HAIR RESTORATION
More hair in the plughole. A parting that looks wider in daylight. A crown that shows through under bright lights. If you are not ready for surgery, you are probably asking three things. Can this be slowed without an operation? Does it work? And who would be treating me?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses a small sample of your own blood, concentrated and injected into the scalp, to support the follicles you still have. At our Glasgow clinic, Dr Bonaros plans your treatment and gives every injection himself. That may be on its own, alongside medical therapy or after a hair transplant. You meet the doctor, not a salesperson.
The basics
PRP is a non-surgical treatment made from your own blood. A small sample is spun in a centrifuge to isolate platelets, which carry the growth factors involved in healing and repair. That concentrate is injected into thinning areas of the scalp. The aim is to increase blood supply, strengthen miniaturised follicles (follicles that have shrunk) and encourage the growth phase of the hair cycle. Because it works with living follicles rather than replacing them, it is a different tool from a transplant. We would rather say plainly: PRP is used off-label for hair, which means outside its licensed use, and the evidence, while growing, is mixed.
Results are not permanent, and no clinic can honestly promise them. Outcomes vary with the platelet concentration, the kit and how viable your follicles still are. That is why maintenance is part of the plan. PRP tends to suit men and women with early-to-moderate thinning where follicles are still alive. That includes pattern hair loss and some cases of alopecia areata, the patchy autoimmune form of hair loss. It is less likely to help with advanced baldness and is generally avoided during active scalp infection or when a bleeding disorder is involved. If it is not right for you, we will say so.
OUR APPROACH
PRP is only as good as the assessment behind it and the hands giving it. Dr Bonaros examines your scalp, confirms the pattern and cause of your loss and maps the areas worth treating. The concentrate then goes where follicles can still respond. He gives every injection personally: the person who plans your treatment is the person who performs it, at consistent depth and spacing throughout.
We are equally honest about what PRP can and cannot do. If medical treatment or a transplant would serve you better, we will tell you, and PRP often works best as part of a combined plan. We use established platelet kits, quote a fixed written price after examination for the course your scalp needs and keep your care in Glasgow.
WHY PATIENTS CHOOSE PRP
PRP needs no incisions, no stitches and leaves no linear scar. Because the concentrate comes from your own blood, there is no risk of rejection, and no foreign product to react to.
A session takes around an hour, and most people return to normal activities the same day. Mild redness or tenderness usually settles within a day or two, so PRP fits around work and family life.
By delivering growth factors around living follicles, PRP aims to strengthen fine, miniaturised hairs and reduce shedding. Individual results vary, and benefits are held with maintenance rather than a single visit.
Dr Bonaros performs every injection himself and reviews your progress in person in Glasgow. He can use PRP on its own, alongside medical treatment, or after a hair transplant.
THE PROCEDURE
Everything starts with a consultation. Dr Bonaros examines your scalp, confirms the cause and pattern of your loss and agrees on a realistic plan. That covers how many sessions are likely and which areas to treat. You are then given a fixed written quote setting out what the course includes. Never stop prescribed medicines without your prescriber's advice.
1. A small blood sample is drawn from your arm.
2. It is spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma.
3. A topical anaesthetic can be applied to the scalp for comfort.
4. The concentrate is injected across the mapped thinning areas with fine needles, and you are given aftercare guidance before you leave.
5. You may feel a brief sting as each injection goes in, then a little more pressure. A session usually takes around an hour.
Expect mild redness, tenderness or tightness for 24 to 48 hours, and wash your hair gently the next morning. Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol and heat such as saunas for a day or two. Skip over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen around the procedure unless advised otherwise, as they may blunt the effect. Never stop prescribed aspirin or blood thinners without your prescriber's advice.
Any change takes three to six months to build rather than overnight, so we review your progress in person. Serious problems are uncommon, and every risk is discussed before you consent. You can also see our other non-surgical hair loss options.
1. You develop spreading redness, swelling or warmth, or any discharge at the injection sites.
2. You have a fever or feel unwell in the days after treatment.
3. You have pain that is worsening rather than settling.
General information only: advice becomes personal at your consultation.
Patient stories
Results
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people find it very manageable. Fine needles are used, and a topical anaesthetic can be applied to the scalp beforehand for comfort. You may feel a brief sting as each injection goes in, followed by mild pressure, and any tenderness usually settles within a day or two.
A single session usually takes around an hour, from drawing the small blood sample to the final injection. Most people return to their normal day straight afterwards, as downtime is minimal.
A typical starting course is three sessions spaced about four to six weeks apart, followed by a maintenance session roughly every four to six months. Dr Bonaros will confirm the right programme for you at your consultation, as it depends on your pattern of loss and your response.
No. PRP supports the follicles you have rather than creating new permanent ones, so results are maintained with ongoing sessions. If you stop treatment, the effect gradually fades, and hair loss continues its natural course.
The evidence is growing but mixed, and PRP is used off-label for hair loss. Some studies suggest it may reduce shedding and improve thickness in suitable patients, while some people see little or no benefit. Dr Bonaros will give you an honest view of what it can realistically achieve for your hair before you decide.
Any change tends to be gradual, typically building over three to six months as the hair cycle responds, rather than appearing overnight. Progress is monitored at review appointments, and results vary from person to person.
No. PRP is delivered through fine needle injections, so there are no incisions, no stitches and no linear scar. You may notice mild redness or small marks at the injection points, but these usually fade within a day or two.
PRP is less likely to help advanced baldness where follicles are no longer viable. It is generally avoided during active scalp infection or inflammation, and in cases of bleeding or platelet disorders, or with certain blood-thinning medicines. A consultation is the only way to confirm whether it is appropriate for you.
Yes, and it often works best as part of a combined plan. PRP can be used alongside medical treatment for hair loss. That includes topical minoxidil or, where appropriate after assessment, prescription treatment to lower DHT. Dr Bonaros will advise on the right combination for your situation.
PRP is sometimes used to support the scalp after a hair transplant, to help the transplanted and surrounding follicles through the healing phase. Whether it is worthwhile in your case is something Dr Bonaros will discuss based on your procedure and recovery.
Cost depends on how many sessions and which areas your plan involves, so we do not quote a set figure online. After examining your scalp, Dr Bonaros provides a fixed written quote that outlines exactly what your course includes, with no obligation to proceed.
Dr Epameinondas Bonaros performs every step himself, from planning to injection. He is a GMC-registered doctor (GMC number 7566786) and a Diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS). He is also a full member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), and he treats patients at his Glasgow clinic. You will not be handed over to a technician on the day.
If you are considering treatment overseas, check that the doctor performing it is on the GMC register or an equivalent recognised register. Ask to see healed results rather than day-one photographs. Confirm the clinic is overseen by the relevant national regulator, which in Scotland is Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Aftercare close to home also matters if anything needs to be reviewed.
About the Medical Reviewer
Dr Bonaros is a GMC-registered doctor, an ABHRS Diplomate and a full member of the ISHRS. He has dedicated his career to surgical hair restoration and personally performs every stage of each procedure, from hairline design to graft placement. This page has been written and reviewed to ensure it is accurate, balanced and patient-focused.
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