Your Part Is Getting Wider. Now What? PRP Hair Restoration, Explained
Quick answer: PRP (platelet-rich plasma) hair restoration uses growth factors concentrated from your own blood to support hair growth and improve density. We draw your blood, separate and concentrate the platelets, then inject that plasma into the thinning areas of your scalp. It works best for thinning hair where follicles are still present, not for areas that are already completely bald. At Accelerated Aesthetics, our protocol starts with a 60 cc blood draw, and we recommend an initial series of 4 treatments followed by a reassessment. Results build over several months. Accelerated Aesthetics is a medical spa in Elmhurst, IL serving greater Chicagoland.
Your part is getting wider. Your ponytail is getting smaller. And there is a lot more hair in your brush than there used to be.
If that sounds familiar, you are far from alone. According to DermNet, around 40% of women show signs of hair loss by age 50. It is one of the most common things women quietly worry about, and one of the least talked about.
So let’s talk about it. Here is a real result from our office, plus honest answers to the hair restoration questions we hear most.
What does a real PRP hair restoration result look like?
This is our patient (and a good friend of ours) before and after PRP hair restoration combined with minoxidil. Look at the part line: it is narrower, the scalp shows through less, and the hair along it looks fuller.
Why am I losing my hair?
Hair thinning in women usually has more than one cause. The most common ones we see:
- Genetics and aging. Female pattern hair loss shows up as a widening part and thinning on top, while the hairline usually stays put.
- Perimenopause and menopause. Shifting hormones can shrink hair follicles over time.
- After pregnancy. Hormonal changes after having a baby often trigger a wave of shedding.
- Certain medications. Some prescriptions list hair shedding as a side effect.
- GLP-1 weight loss treatment. Shedding can happen during GLP-1 treatment, particularly alongside significant weight loss.
- Stress and tension. Major stress, tight braids, and extensions can all play a part.
Finding the cause comes first, because it shapes the plan. That is the first thing we work through at your consultation.
What is PRP hair restoration?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. Your platelets are packed with growth factors, the same signals your body uses to repair and regenerate tissue.
We draw your blood, spin it to separate and concentrate the platelets, then inject that plasma into the targeted areas of your scalp. Those growth factors may help wake up struggling follicles, support new growth, and improve density over time.
Does PRP for hair loss actually work?
The research is encouraging. A 2022 meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine found that average hair density rose from about 142 to about 178 hairs per square centimeter after PRP, and the authors called it an effective therapy for pattern hair loss in both men and women when patients are carefully selected.
To be straight with you about the limits:
- PRP works on thinning hair, not on areas that are already fully bald. It needs living follicles to work with.
- Results vary from person to person, and PRP does not work for everyone.
- It is a medical therapy, so it needs to be repeated to keep results going.
That is exactly why we start with a consultation instead of a sales pitch.
Is PRP natural?
It uses your own blood and your body’s own growth factors, so it is a treatment powered by you. Think “your own biology” rather than “organic.” Nothing synthetic is being added to your scalp.
What makes our PRP approach different?
The preparation process matters. Our protocol starts with a 60 cc blood draw to prepare your PRP, which is a larger draw than many clinics use. More starting volume means more platelets and more growth factors to work with.
From there, your treatment plan is built around your hair loss pattern, its cause, and your goals. A typical PRP hair treatment appointment includes:
- Blood draw. Quick and done in-office.
- Preparing your PRP. Your blood is processed to concentrate the platelets.
- Preparing your scalp. We clean and map the areas we are treating.
- Treatment. The PRP is delivered into the thinning areas of your scalp.
The full appointment usually takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on your needs and how much area we are treating.
How many PRP treatments do I need?
We recommend an initial series of 4 treatments, followed by a reassessment to see how your hair has responded. After that, maintenance treatments may be recommended to support and hold your results.
How soon will I see a difference?
Hair growth takes time, so this is a patience treatment. Hair grows in cycles, and changes develop over several months rather than weeks. We recommend taking photos of your part in the same lighting before you start, so you can see the progress you might otherwise miss in the mirror. Results vary from person to person.
Can I combine PRP with minoxidil?
Yes, when it is appropriate for you. Minoxidil is one of the best-studied hair loss treatments, and pairing it with PRP lets you work on your hair from two directions. The patient pictured above used both, so her results reflect that combined treatment plan. We will talk through whether minoxidil makes sense for you at your consultation.
Who is a good candidate for PRP hair restoration?
PRP tends to be a great fit if you:
- Have pattern thinning, like a widening part or thinning on top
- Are noticing thinning from stress, hormonal changes, pregnancy, or medication
- Have shedding from braids, extensions, or tight styles
- Want a treatment that uses your own biology
- Are willing to commit to a series and give it a few months
PRP is also popular as a skin treatment. If you are curious about that side, our post on adding PRP, exosomes, or P.E.A.R.L. to microneedling covers it.
Frequently asked questions about PRP hair restoration
What is PRP hair restoration?
PRP hair restoration is a treatment where platelets are concentrated from your own blood and injected into thinning areas of the scalp. The growth factors in the platelets may support hair growth and improve density.
Does PRP hair restoration work for women?
Yes. Research shows PRP can improve hair density in both women and men with pattern hair loss. A 2022 meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials found average density rose from about 142 to about 178 hairs per square centimeter.
How many PRP sessions do I need for hair loss?
At Accelerated Aesthetics, we recommend an initial series of 4 treatments, then a reassessment. Maintenance treatments may be recommended to support your results.
How long does it take to see results from PRP for hair?
Changes develop over several months because hair grows in cycles. Results vary from person to person.
Can PRP regrow hair on a bald spot?
PRP works best on thinning areas where hair follicles are still present. It is not designed to regrow hair on areas that have been completely bald for a long time.
Why do you draw 60 cc of blood?
A larger draw gives us more platelets and more growth factors to prepare your PRP. The preparation process is one of the biggest factors in how PRP performs.
Can I use minoxidil with PRP?
Yes, when it is appropriate for you. The patient in our before and after used both PRP and minoxidil together.
My hair started shedding on a GLP-1. Can PRP help?
Shedding can happen during GLP-1 treatment, especially alongside significant weight loss. We start by looking at what is behind your shedding, then build a plan that fits, which may include PRP.
Is there downtime after PRP hair treatment?
Most people head back to their day afterward. Your scalp may feel tender for a bit, and we send you home with aftercare instructions.
How much does PRP hair restoration cost in the Chicago area?
Pricing depends on your treatment plan, which we map out at your complimentary consultation. Cherry payment plans from $500 to $10,000 let you spread the cost of a series, and our financing page also lists CareCredit and Allē.
Where can I get PRP hair restoration near Elmhurst or Chicago?
Accelerated Aesthetics is a medical spa at 112 S. York Street in downtown Elmhurst, IL, roughly 20 minutes west of downtown Chicago and within easy reach of most of Chicagoland. Patients travel to us from Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Naperville, Wheaton, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, La Grange, Western Springs, Oak Park, Berwyn, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Park Ridge, and the city of Chicago itself, along with communities throughout DuPage, Cook, Kane, and Will Counties. Treatments are performed by licensed professionals under the supervision of our Medical Director.
Ready to talk about your hair?
Text “HAIR” to (630) 439-7540 or book a complimentary consultation. We will figure out what is behind your thinning and tell you honestly whether PRP is the right move for you.
112 S. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126
Accelerated Aesthetics is a medical spa in downtown Elmhurst, IL, serving greater Chicagoland: the city of Chicago, the western and northwest suburbs, and communities throughout DuPage, Cook, Kane, and Will Counties.
Last updated October 2026.
