The short answer
- What it is: PRF is an autologous—meaning from your own body—platelet and fibrin concentrate injected into areas of thinning scalp.
- What it may do: It may support existing follicles, improve hair caliber, and reduce shedding in some candidates. It does not create new follicles.
- Evidence: Early studies are encouraging, but PRF-specific research is still limited. PRP has a larger research base, and neither treatment guarantees regrowth.
- Downtime: Usually limited, with temporary tenderness, redness, swelling, or bruising possible.
- MOHR cost: The Essential program is $2,495 for three treatments. A $299 assessment comes first and is credited toward the first treatment if you proceed.
What is PRF hair restoration?
PRF hair restoration is an in-office, non-surgical procedure that concentrates platelets and fibrin from a small sample of your blood and places the concentrate into thinning areas of the scalp.
Platelets are best known for clotting, but they also carry signaling proteins involved in tissue repair. Fibrin is a mesh-like protein that helps form a clot. In PRF, that fibrin matrix is intended to hold platelets and support a gradual release of their signals near existing follicles.
The process begins with a blood draw. The sample is spun in a centrifuge to separate its components. A provider collects the platelet- and fibrin-rich portion and injects it into a mapped treatment area. Because the material comes from the patient, there is no donor tissue in standard PRF.
PRF is not a hair transplant. A transplant relocates follicles from one area to another; PRF aims to support follicles already present. That distinction matters: a person with miniaturizing follicles may be considered, while a smooth area with no viable follicles is unlikely to respond.
How might PRF help thinning hair?
Hair grows in cycles. In androgenetic alopecia—often called male- or female-pattern hair loss—genetically sensitive follicles gradually miniaturize. Each cycle can produce a finer, shorter hair until growth becomes difficult to see.
Laboratory and early clinical research suggests platelet concentrates may influence cell signaling around the follicle, blood-vessel formation, and the transition into the active growth phase. In practical terms, the goal is to help suitable follicles produce stronger-looking hair and remain active longer.
That mechanism is plausible, but it should not be confused with certainty. “Growth factors” describes biological signals; it does not mean every treated follicle grows or that PRF reverses every cause of hair loss.
Does PRF hair treatment work?
PRF may improve measures such as density or shaft thickness for some people with early-to-moderate thinning, but the evidence is not yet strong enough to predict an individual result.
Small studies and case series report improvements after injectable PRF, but protocols differ in centrifuge settings, injection technique, treatment intervals, and outcome measures. Sample sizes are often small, and long-term controlled data are limited. Reviews of platelet concentrates for androgenetic alopecia are more robust for PRP than PRF.
For that reason, it is more accurate to describe PRF as a potentially helpful treatment for selected patients—not a cure and not a proven replacement for every established therapy. A useful consultation should also consider the diagnosis, the amount of miniaturization, medical history, medications, nutrition, and whether other treatment options belong in the plan.
When might results appear?
Hair biology moves slowly. If treatment helps, reduced shedding may be noticed before visible density. Changes are generally assessed over months, not days or weeks. Consistent baseline photography and scalp measurements make subtle change easier to evaluate than memory or bathroom lighting.
Results vary, and maintenance may be recommended because pattern hair loss is progressive. PRF cannot permanently remove the underlying genetic tendency.
Who may be a candidate for PRF?
PRF is most often considered when thinning areas still contain active follicles. Possible candidates include some men and women with androgenetic alopecia, a widening part, a thinning crown, or early hairline recession. It may also be discussed as one part of a broader plan after other causes of shedding are evaluated.
PRF may not be appropriate—or may need to be postponed—for someone with certain blood or platelet disorders, active infection or inflammation at the treatment site, significant anemia, some autoimmune or medical conditions, or medications that affect clotting. Pregnancy, recent illness, and the cause and stage of hair loss also require individualized discussion.
Diagnosis comes first
A sudden increase in shedding, patchy loss, scalp pain, scarring, or inflammation needs clinical evaluation. Injecting PRF without identifying the cause can delay more appropriate care.
What happens during a PRF hair session?
- Review and mapping. The provider confirms the treatment plan and maps the thinning areas.
- Blood draw. A small amount of blood is collected into tubes.
- Centrifugation. The tubes are spun under a specific protocol to isolate the PRF portion.
- Scalp preparation. The scalp is cleaned; comfort measures vary by practice and patient.
- Injection. Small amounts of PRF are placed at multiple points across the planned area.
- Aftercare. The provider gives instructions about washing, exercise, sun exposure, and products.
The injection portion may be brief, but the full appointment includes preparation, processing, and aftercare. Ask a provider for the expected visit length and the exact instructions used by that practice.
PRF hair treatment side effects and risks
Most expected effects are temporary and related to the blood draw or scalp injections.
Possible short-term effects include scalp tenderness, redness, swelling, a tight feeling, pinpoint bleeding, bruising, headache, itching, or temporary lightheadedness. Some people return to normal activities the same day; visible redness or soreness can last longer.
Using your own blood lowers the chance of an allergic response to the injected material, but it does not make the procedure risk-free. Less common injection-related risks include infection, injury to a blood vessel or nerve, scar formation, prolonged inflammation, and an unsatisfactory cosmetic result. Sterile technique and qualified clinical oversight matter.
Contact the treating practice promptly for worsening pain, spreading redness, drainage, fever, or any symptom that feels severe or unexpected.
PRF vs. PRP for hair loss
PRF and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are both made from a patient’s blood. The names describe families of preparation methods rather than one universally standardized product.
| Feature | PRF | PRP |
|---|---|---|
| Typical preparation | Often spun at a lower force and commonly prepared without an anticoagulant | Commonly prepared with an anticoagulant; protocols vary widely |
| Final material | Contains a fibrin matrix and platelets; cellular composition depends on the protocol | Platelet-rich liquid plasma; leukocyte content depends on the protocol |
| Handling | Must be used promptly as fibrin forms | Generally remains liquid longer |
| Hair-loss evidence | Promising but comparatively limited | Larger body of studies and meta-analyses, though methods remain inconsistent |
| Is one proven better? | No. Head-to-head evidence does not establish a universal winner. | |
Claims that PRF always contains stem cells, has “zero risk,” or is definitively more effective than PRP overstate what preparation standards and current clinical research can support.
How much does PRF hair restoration cost?
Cost varies by city, provider, treatment area, what is included, and the number of sessions. Health insurance generally does not cover elective hair-restoration procedures, but patients should confirm directly with their plan.
PRF treatment cost at MOHR Hair in NYC
MOHR’s Essential program is $2,495 for three treatments. Each session includes PRF prepared from the patient’s blood, low-level laser therapy, standardized progress photography, personalized aftercare, and progress tracking.
The required in-person MOHR Hair Assessment is $299 and is credited toward the first treatment if you proceed. Maintenance after the initial program is currently $895 per treatment. See the pricing page for current program details.
When comparing quotes, ask whether the price covers one session or a series, imaging, adjunctive therapies, follow-up, and maintenance. A lower per-session figure is not necessarily a lower total cost.
What are the alternatives to PRF?
The right option depends on the diagnosis, health history, goals, and stage of loss. Depending on the person, a clinician may discuss topical or oral medication, low-level laser therapy, correction of a documented nutritional deficiency, camouflage options, or hair transplant surgery. Some treatments have stronger evidence for particular forms of hair loss than others.
MOHR focuses on non-surgical care and does not perform hair transplants. An honest assessment can also conclude that PRF—or any MOHR program—is not appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Does PRF regrow hair?
PRF may support thicker growth and reduced shedding in selected people with functioning follicles. It cannot create new follicles or reliably restore a completely bald area, and results vary.
How many PRF sessions are needed?
There is no single protocol used everywhere. MOHR plans initial care as a three-treatment program, then evaluates progress and maintenance needs against baseline measurements and photographs.
Is PRF FDA-approved for hair loss?
PRF is prepared from a patient’s own blood at the point of care and is not an FDA-approved drug for hair loss. Ask the treating clinician how the procedure is regulated and what evidence supports the proposed use.
Can PRF replace minoxidil or finasteride?
Not automatically. These approaches work differently, and stopping prescribed therapy without speaking with the prescriber can allow hair loss to progress. A clinician should weigh benefits, risks, contraindications, and patient preferences.
How painful is scalp PRF?
People commonly describe pressure, pinching, or stinging during injections and tenderness afterward. Comfort measures vary, so discuss pain control before the procedure.
The bottom line
PRF is a non-surgical, autologous treatment intended to support existing follicles. It offers limited downtime and avoids donor material, but it still involves blood collection and multiple scalp injections. Early evidence is encouraging; PRF-specific research remains limited, and no provider can guarantee regrowth.
The most useful next step is not choosing a package from a description—it is confirming the cause of the hair loss, measuring the baseline, and deciding whether viable follicles and realistic goals make treatment reasonable.
Start with a measured baseline.
At MOHR, every plan begins with an in-person assessment at 910 Park Avenue: clinical consultation, HairMetrix scalp imaging, baseline photography, and a candidacy decision. The $299 fee is credited toward your first treatment if you proceed.
Explore the MOHR Hair AssessmentSources and further reading
- Arora R, Shukla S. “Injectable-platelet-rich fibrin-smart blood with stem cells for the treatment of alopecia: A report of three patients.” International Journal of Trichology. 2019. PubMed record.
- Evans AG, et al. “Platelet-rich plasma as a therapy for androgenic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2022. PubMed record.
- Gupta AK, et al. “Platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin in androgenetic alopecia: A review.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Search the PubMed literature for current reviews.
Editorial note: Published and last reviewed September 29, 2026. This page provides general education and does not diagnose hair loss or recommend treatment. Evidence and clinical protocols evolve; a licensed provider should evaluate personal risks and candidacy.