Keep things normal
- Stay normally hydrated.
- Continue to eat balanced meals.
- Review any medication questions with your clinician.
- Tell us if there has been a significant change in your health.
- Avoid excessive alcohol, particularly close to treatment.
PRP · Hair Loss · Patient Guide
How to Prepare for PRP for Hair Loss
A little preparation can make your PRP hair treatment appointment simpler and more comfortable.
Here is what to do in the days before treatment, what to bring with you and how to look after your scalp afterwards.
Before your appointment
The essentials
You do not need an elaborate preparation routine before PRP. The main priorities are to arrive well, hydrated and with a clean scalp, and to make sure we know about your medication, supplements and any changes in your health.
Because PRP involves drawing a small amount of your blood and placing platelet-rich plasma into selected areas of the scalp, we also need to know about anything that could affect bleeding, bruising, infection risk or your suitability for treatment.
Most important:
do not stop, reduce or alter prescribed medication in order to
have PRP unless the clinician who prescribed it has specifically
advised you to do so.
Before PRP hair treatment
Prepare your scalp
- Wash your hair with your normal gentle shampoo.
- Avoid irritating scalp products.
- Keep well hydrated.
- Avoid excessive alcohol.
- Have any requested medical information ready.
Arrive clean & comfortable
- Come with a clean, dry scalp.
- Avoid hair fibres, sprays, gels and heavy oils.
- Eat normally rather than arriving hungry.
- Drink water before your appointment.
- Wear comfortable clothing.
Medication safety
What about medicines and supplements?
PRP preparation advice sometimes focuses heavily on avoiding anything that might influence platelet activity or bruising. That advice should never override the reason you have been prescribed a medicine.
Do not stop anticoagulants, antiplatelet medicines, anti-inflammatory
medication or any other prescribed treatment without advice from
the clinician responsible for prescribing it.
Blood-thinning medication
If you take an anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicine such as warfarin or clopidogrel, tell us before treatment.
The appropriate decision is based on your health and the reason the medication was prescribed — not simply on trying to reduce bruising from PRP.
Anti-inflammatory medicines
Tell your practitioner about medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen or other anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly if you use them regularly or they have been prescribed.
Your clinician can advise what is appropriate for you.
Supplements
Please include vitamins, herbal preparations and supplements when you tell us what you take.
There is no need to independently stop a long list of supplements simply because you are having PRP. We can advise if anything specific is relevant.
Pain relief
If you need pain relief around the time of treatment, ask your practitioner what is appropriate for you rather than changing your usual medication without advice.
What should I put on my hair?
Shampoo
Wash your hair before treatment so that the scalp is clean. A normal gentle shampoo is usually sufficient.
Styling products
Avoid arriving with hair fibres, dry shampoo, hairspray, gel, wax or heavy oils on the scalp.
Scalp actives
If you use prescription or active scalp products, follow the specific instructions given by your practitioner rather than automatically stopping them.
If you use minoxidil
Should I stop minoxidil before PRP?
If you use topical minoxidil, your practitioner may ask you not to apply it immediately before your appointment so that you arrive with a clean, product-free scalp.
When you restart it after PRP depends on the condition of the scalp and the instructions you have been given.
There is no benefit in stopping an established hair-loss programme for an unnecessarily long period simply because you are having PRP.
Follow your individual treatment plan.
If your minoxidil or another hair-loss medicine has been prescribed,
do not alter the prescription without appropriate advice.
What should I bring?
Medication details
Bring or be able to provide an up-to-date list of prescribed medicines, over-the-counter medicines and supplements.
Relevant results
If you have been asked to provide recent blood-test results or previous specialist information, bring these with you.
Your questions
PRP should form part of a considered hair-loss plan. Bring any questions you have about the diagnosis, treatment course, maintenance or alternatives.
What happens on the day?
Step 01
Review
We check for changes in your health, medication or scalp condition and confirm that treatment remains appropriate.
Step 02
Assessment & photographs
The areas being treated are reviewed and, where appropriate, standardised photographs are taken for future comparison.
Step 03
Blood draw
A small sample of your blood is taken and processed to prepare the platelet-rich plasma.
Step 04
PRP preparation
The blood sample is processed to separate the platelet-rich component used for treatment.
Step 05
Scalp treatment
PRP is placed into selected areas of the scalp according to your individual treatment plan.
Step 06
Aftercare
Before you leave, we explain how to care for your scalp and when to resume your usual hair products.
The first 24–48 hours
Your practitioner will give you specific aftercare instructions. These take precedence over general online advice.
Your scalp
Mild redness, tenderness or sensitivity around injection points can occur after treatment.
Avoid unnecessarily touching or rubbing the treated scalp immediately afterwards.
Washing your hair
Unless you have been advised otherwise, a gentle shampoo can usually be resumed after approximately 24 hours.
Avoid aggressive scalp scrubbing immediately after treatment.
Exercise & heat
We generally advise avoiding vigorous exercise, saunas, steam rooms and excessive heat for the first 24–48 hours.
Hair products
Allow the scalp to settle before applying irritating actives, strong styling products or other products specifically restricted by your practitioner.
Aftercare
When should I contact the clinic?
Some temporary tenderness and redness can occur following scalp injections. Contact Santi if you are concerned about your recovery or experience symptoms that seem unusual or are worsening rather than settling.
Seek urgent medical attention for symptoms suggesting a serious allergic reaction or other acute medical emergency.
When might PRP be postponed?
Illness or infection
Treatment may need to wait if you are acutely unwell, have a fever or have an active infection affecting the treatment area. Tell us about recent illness or antibiotic treatment before your appointment.
Scalp inflammation
Significant active scalp inflammation or infection may need to be assessed and treated before an elective injectable procedure.
Changes in medication
Tell us if you have started new medication or if your medical history has changed since consultation.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
As a clinic policy, Santi generally postpones elective PRP hair treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Please discuss your individual circumstances with us.
One part of the plan
Preparation matters — but diagnosis matters more
Preparing correctly can make your appointment smoother, but it does not determine whether PRP is the right treatment for your hair loss.
PRP is generally considered where viable hair follicles remain and where the diagnosis suggests that it may be useful. It cannot create new follicles and it is not the appropriate treatment for every form of shedding or hair loss.
If the cause of your hair loss has not yet been established, start with a hair and scalp consultation rather than booking PRP solely because you have noticed thinning.
Preparing for Hair PRP: FAQs
Should I wash my hair before PRP?
Yes. Arrive with a clean, dry scalp unless your practitioner has given you different instructions. Avoid heavy oils, hair fibres, dry shampoo and styling products on the treatment area.
Should I eat before PRP?
Yes. There is generally no reason to fast for scalp PRP. Eat normally and make sure you are adequately hydrated before your appointment.
Should I stop ibuprofen before PRP?
Do not independently stop medication simply because you are having PRP. Tell us what you take and whether it has been prescribed. Your clinician can then advise you appropriately.
Should I stop blood-thinning medication?
Never stop prescribed anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication solely for PRP without advice from the clinician responsible for that prescription. Tell Santi about these medicines before treatment.
Should I stop supplements before PRP?
Tell us about supplements you take, particularly high-dose or herbal products. Do not assume that every supplement must be stopped. Your practitioner can advise if anything is relevant to your treatment.
Can I drink coffee before PRP?
For most people, moderate normal caffeine intake does not require special preparation. If caffeine makes you feel anxious, shaky or light-headed around needles or blood tests, reducing it on the day may make the appointment more comfortable.
Can I drink alcohol before PRP?
It is sensible to avoid excessive alcohol before treatment, particularly in the 24 hours beforehand, as it may contribute to dehydration and can increase bruising in some people.
Can I use minoxidil before PRP?
Your practitioner may ask you to omit topical minoxidil immediately before treatment so that the scalp is clean and product-free. Follow the instructions given for your individual treatment plan.
Can I drive home after hair PRP?
Scalp PRP does not routinely involve sedation. Most people can leave the clinic normally after treatment. If there is a specific reason this may not apply to you, your practitioner will advise you.
Can I wash my hair after PRP?
Unless advised otherwise, gentle washing can usually resume after approximately 24 hours. Follow the aftercare instructions given at your appointment.
Can I exercise after PRP?
We generally recommend avoiding vigorous exercise and excessive heat for approximately 24–48 hours following scalp PRP.
PRP & hair loss guides
Santi London · South Kensington
Considering PRP for hair loss?
Start with an assessment of the hair and scalp. If PRP is appropriate, we can explain the treatment course, preparation, aftercare and what you can realistically expect.
Santi London · 33 Thurloe Street · South Kensington · London SW7 2LQ
This guide provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice. Instructions given by your treating clinician or prescribing clinician take precedence.