Why am i still shedding after going through 3 PRP for hair loss treatments?

Good question — and actually very common. Even after 3 PRP sessions, some shedding can still happen because hair grows in cycles, and PRP mainly helps strengthen and extend the growth phase. Shedding is often just part of that natural renewal before stronger hairs start coming in.
But before expecting PRP alone to “fix” hair loss, we have to go back to basics: the type of hair loss, your gender, age, medical history, and a few other factors all matter. If the root cause is androgenetic alopecia or another ongoing condition, PRP alone usually isn’t enough to stop shedding.
In such cases, a full treatment plan is needed. This might include medications like finasteride, minoxidil, or additional therapies like exosome injections, vitamins, minerals, biotin, and even hair transplant surgery— all depending on your diagnosis and condition.
So it’s not that PRP isn’t working — it’s that hair loss needs a more personalized, multi-step approach.

It’s understandable to be concerned about ongoing shedding despite completing several PRP treatments. While PRP therapy often helps reduce hair shedding and promotes growth, responses can vary widely between individuals.
Common reasons shedding may persist even after several PRP sessions include: • Natural Hair Cycle: Hair shedding may continue temporarily as weakened hairs transition out to make way for new growth. • Delayed Response: Some individuals experience noticeable reduction in shedding only after multiple sessions, typically 4–6 months into treatment. • Underlying Conditions: Conditions like hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, stress, or genetic factors can maintain ongoing shedding despite PRP treatments.
Given you’ve started noticing some new hair growth, this is encouraging. However, continued shedding suggests assessing and addressing potential underlying issues might enhance your overall outcome.
Consider discussing your progress and ongoing shedding concerns with your provider to ensure a comprehensive approach, possibly including blood tests or additional supportive therapies (such as vitamins, topical treatments, or medications).
I hope this clarifies your situation. A detailed evaluation by your provider or a hair-loss specialist can offer further personalized guidance.
— Güray Yeşiladalı, MD

Hello and thank you for your question. I'm sorry for your continued hair shedding despite treatment. There are many factors that can contribute to hair loss, and it may be worthwhile to have a comprehensive hair loss workup with labs if this was not done already. It is challenging to answer this without a little more context such as your age, gender, how long this has been occurring, recent stressors including illnesses as well as a full medical history. At our practice we typically order blood work prior to beginning treatment to identify if there are any other possible factors that can be addressed. This includes tests to rule out vitamin deficiencies, anemia, thyroid and hormone imbalances for example. I would recommend having a conversation with your provider about your treatment expectations. All the best, Esther Litenatsky AGACNP-BC on behalf of Dr. Ran Y. Rubinstein, facial plastic surgeon in Newburgh, NY and Montvale, NJ.

Although PRP is effective in preventing hair loss, ongoing effects of DHT to the hair follicles are not necessarily blocked or addressed. Hence, it may still present with ongoing hair loss/shedding.
I suggest incorporating treatment options that address DHT to help with keeping your current hair. You can also consider treatment such as minoxidil to increase capillary blood flow to hair follicle.

Shedding after PRP treatments is normal and part of the hair growth cycle. PRP stimulates follicles, but it doesn’t stop shedding immediately. Some people experience telogen effluvium, where old hair sheds before new hair grows. This shedding usually resolves after a few months.

It often takes 3-6 months for the full effect of PRP to show, so seeing some hair growth is a good sign. However, shedding can still happen while the hair cycle adjusts.

Check for underlying causes like stress, hormonal imbalances, or nutrient deficiencies that might contribute. After your 4th treatment, shedding may slow down. If not, consult your doctor.

When you start any treatment for hair loss is not only normal but expected that the effects will not be immediate. There is no treatment to date that will stop hair loss within a month, or immediately after the first treatment. Most people see the effect of PRP after 3-4months, same as any topical or oral medication.

It's understandable to feel concerned about continued shedding after multiple PRP treatments. While many people see a reduction in hair shedding after the first treatment, it’s important to remember that everyone’s response to PRP can vary.
Here are a few possible reasons why you might still be experiencing shedding:
1. Hair Growth Cycle: Hair shedding is a natural part of the hair growth cycle. Even with PRP, it’s possible to experience some shedding as your hair follicles are stimulated and new growth occurs. This shedding can sometimes be the result of older, weaker hairs being replaced by stronger, healthier ones.
2. Gradual Response: Some patients respond more slowly to PRP treatments. It's not uncommon for improvements to become more noticeable after completing the full series of treatments. Since you have one more treatment to go, you may still see a reduction in shedding over time.
3. Underlying Conditions: There could be underlying factors, such as hormonal imbalances, stress, or nutritional deficiencies, that are contributing to continued hair shedding. It might be worth discussing these possibilities with your doctor.
4. Treatment Protocol: Ensure that the PRP treatment is being administered properly and consistently. Sometimes, the technique or concentration of PRP can affect results.
What You Can Do:- Follow-Up with Your Doctor: It's important to communicate your concerns with your PRP provider. They might adjust the treatment plan or investigate other factors that could be influencing your shedding.- Be Patient: Hair restoration can take time, and results vary from person to person. Continue to monitor your progress and follow your doctor's advice.
If your shedding continues after the 4th treatment, it might be beneficial to explore additional or alternative treatments with your healthcare provider.

As with all non-surgical treatments, the results from PRP injections can be a bit variable. Platelet rich plasma contains many growth factors from your own body to help support your follicles. However, we are harvesting these growth factors more or less randomly, in other words we are getting whatever happens to be in your plasma. While the hope is that these will interact with your follicles to prevent further hair loss or even promote growth, this is not always the case. Furthermore, these treatments can take up to six months to see a real difference, so I would not get too discouraged yet.

Hello Optimistic893925, thank you for this very important question! PRP treatments for hair loss are extremely effective in most cases. Seeing hair growth at this stage is a GREAT sign! Continued shedding is normal. The shedding phase can last anywhere from 2-5 months, everyone is different in that regard. The hairs that are shedding are from a different generation of hairs that have likely not been affected by your PRP treatments. Keep going, and trust the process! I hope this helps! Genie Alexander, RN BSN for Dr. Anna Petropoulos, MD FRCS at Center for Classic Beauty, Danvers & Boston, MA.

Typically it is important to evaluate the type of hair loss first and foremost to help set expectations. For example is it generalized vs alopecia etc. The doctor can then decide on the best course of treatment. PRP is like fertilizer, it helps hair growth and does have anti inflammatory properties however if there are other underlying causes (thyroid, stress , nutrition, anemia , hormones etc) you may continue to be in a cycle of loss and growth until both aspects are managed. Please discuss this concern with your provider who is likely to help you understand if you have other contributing factors affecting hair loss.