When to seek advice
Hair loss is best assessed early, especially when it is sudden, patchy, painful, rapidly worsening, or associated with redness, scaling, pus, scalp sores, new medication changes, hormonal symptoms, or other health concerns. A clinical assessment can help identify the pattern of hair loss, scalp condition, relevant medical history, and whether PRP or another management option may be suitable.
How PRP may help
Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP, uses a concentrated portion of a person’s own blood that contains platelets and growth factors. In hair restoration, PRP is injected into selected areas of the scalp to support the hair follicle environment.
PRP has been studied most often for androgenetic alopecia, the genetic and hormonal type of pattern hair loss. A 2023 meta-analysis found that PRP increased hair density in people with androgenetic alopecia, although effects may vary between individuals and protocols. Read the evidence.
PRP has also been studied in women with hair loss. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis reported improvements in hair density and thickness in some women, with generally favourable safety findings across the included studies. Read the evidence.
PRP is not a cure for every type of hair loss. If hair loss is linked to thyroid imbalance, iron deficiency, autoimmune disease, medication, infection, active scalp inflammation, or ongoing tension from tight hairstyles, those causes should be assessed and managed appropriately.
Tight hairstyles, scalp inflammation, or medication
Hair loss may also be caused or worsened by repeated pulling, scalp irritation, inflammation, or medication. Traction alopecia can occur when hairstyles repeatedly pull on the hair follicles, such as tight ponytails, buns, braids, weaves, or extensions. Early traction hair loss may improve if tension is reduced, but long-term traction can cause permanent follicle damage. Read the evidence.
Scalp inflammation, such as seborrheic dermatitis, can cause flaking, itching, redness, and irritation on the scalp. Evidence link
Some medications may also contribute to hair shedding or thinning, including certain cytotoxic agents, biologics, immunomodulating agents, and other medicines. Read the evidence.
Common signs:
- Thinning around the hairline or temples
- Itchy, flaky, or red scalp
- Hair breakage
- Scalp tenderness
- Tight hairstyles or extensions
- Hair loss after starting a new medication
Autoimmune hair loss
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune type of hair loss where the immune system targets the hair follicle. It often causes sudden, smooth, round patches of hair loss and may also affect the eyebrows, beard, eyelashes, or body hair. Read the evidence.
Patchy hair loss should be assessed properly, as it may need a different approach from general thinning or stress-related shedding.
Common signs:
- Round or oval bald patches
- Sudden patchy hair loss
- Eyebrow, beard, or eyelash hair loss
- Nail changes in some cases
- Personal or family history of autoimmune disease
Thyroid imbalance and nutritional factors
Hair follicles need normal hormone function, protein, iron, vitamins, minerals, and general health to support normal growth. Thyroid hormones play a role in hair follicle growth and cycling, and thyroid dysfunction may contribute to hair shedding in some people. Read the evidence.
Low iron stores, vitamin D, vitamin B12, zinc, and other nutritional factors may also be considered during assessment, especially when hair loss is diffuse or unexplained. Testing and supplements should be guided by clinical assessment rather than guessing.
Common signs:
- Diffuse thinning
- Fatigue or low energy
- Brittle or fragile hair
- Heavy periods or known low iron
- Recent diet change
- Known thyroid condition
Stress, illness, weight loss, or body shock
Sudden shedding may be caused by telogen effluvium. This happens when stress on the body pushes more hairs into the resting and shedding phase of the hair cycle. Triggers may include illness, surgery, childbirth, emotional stress, rapid weight loss, hormonal changes, or some medications. Read the evidence.
Shedding often starts weeks to months after the trigger, so the connection is not always obvious.
Common signs:
- Sudden increase in shedding
- Hair falling during washing or brushing
- Diffuse thinning across the scalp
- Recent illness, stress, surgery, childbirth, or weight change
Genetic and hormonal hair loss
The most common cause of gradual hair thinning is androgenetic alopecia, also called male or female pattern hair loss. It is linked to genetic predisposition, androgen hormone activity, inflammation, and gradual shrinking of the hair follicles, known as follicle miniaturisation. Read the evidence.
This may appear as a receding hairline, thinning crown, widening part, or reduced overall density.
Common signs:
- Receding hairline
- Thinning crown
- Widening part
- Family history of hair loss
8 June 2026 — Understanding Hair Loss and the Benefits of PRP Hair Restoration
Hair loss can be linked to genetics, hormones, stress, thyroid imbalance, nutritional deficiency, autoimmune conditions, scalp inflammation, medications, or styling tension. This educational article explains common causes of hair loss and what current evidence says about PRP for selected types of hair thinning.
Estimated read: 5 minutes
Hair loss can feel sudden, frustrating, and confusing. It may show as extra shedding in the shower, a widening part, thinning at the crown, a receding hairline, or patchy bald spots.
There is rarely one simple answer. Hair loss can be linked to genetics, hormones, stress, illness, thyroid imbalance, nutritional factors, autoimmune conditions, scalp inflammation, medications, or repeated tension on the hair follicles. Understanding the likely cause is the first step before choosing a treatment approach. Evidence link
Estimated read: 5 minutes