Microneedling vs PRP: Which Is Better?

Article Summary

Dermatologists often recommend platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) as a treatment for hair loss. However, studies suggest that microneedling might also achieve the same results for a fraction of the price.  This article provides a comprehensive comparison of PRP versus microneedling: the clinical evidence, cost-benefit analysis, longevity of results, & more.

Full Article

When it comes to microneedling vs. platelet-rich plasma, which is better? Dermatologists often recommend platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) as a treatment for hair loss. This autologous therapy evokes the body’s natural healing response, as does microneedling. We look at what the research studies say about the effectiveness of these two treatments. Time and cost factors are also important considerations for most people.

What is Microneedling?

Microneedling, a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, has emerged as a promising treatment for various forms of hair loss, including androgenic alopecia (AGA). This technique involves using specialized devices, like rollers of pens, equipped with fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries on the scalp.

These micro-injuries stimulate the body’s natural wound-healing processes, enhancing blood flow and promoting the release of growth factors essential for hair regeneration. This method not only improves hair density and thickness but also increases the efficacy of topical hair growth products by facilitating deeper penetration into the scalp.^[1]Dhurat, R., Sukesh, M.S., Avhad, G., Dandale, A., Pal, A., Pund, P. (2013). A Randomized Evaluator Blinded Study of Effect of Microneedling in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Pilot Study. International … Continue reading,^[2]English, R.S., Ruiz, S., DoAmaral, P. (2021). Microneedling and Its Use in Hair Loss Disorders: A Systematic Review. Dermatology and Therapy. 12. 41-60. Available at: … Continue reading

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment for hair loss, particularly AGA. This procedure involves drawing a patient’s blood, processing it to concentrate platelets and growth factors, and injecting this enriched plasma into the scalp.

PRP therapy stimulates hair follicles, promotes new hair growth, and enhances hair density and thickness. The growth factors and proteins in PRP promote tissue repair and regeneration, making it a promising non-surgical option for hair loss. Clinical studies have also demonstrated the efficacy of PRP in improving hair count and thickness in individuals with hair loss.^[3]Gentile, P., Garcovich, S., Bielli, A., Scioli, M.G., Orlandi, A., Cervelli, V. (2015). The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Stem Cells … Continue reading,^[4]Cervantes, J., Perper, M., Wong, L.L., Eber, A. E., Fricke, A.C.V., Wikramanayake, T.C., Jiminez, J.J. (2018). Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the … Continue reading

Microneedling vs. PRP: Which Is Better?

When hair loss patients visit dermatologists for advice, it’s not uncommon for those physicians to recommend autologous therapies. These hair loss therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, PRP + Acell, adipose-derived stem cells, exosomes, and others, are derived from our tissues. These treatments must be conducted in a clinical setting and administered by a healthcare professional. While there is scientific evidence behind these therapies, it is also a significant cash cow for dermatologists, so it is no surprise that they recommend this treatment.

What these dermatologists won’t tell patients is that there is an alternative to PRP that:

1. Can be administered at home
2. Leverages the exact same mechanisms of action as PRP
3. Costs just a fraction of the price (usually 0.1% of the cost of a single PRP session)
4. Might be just as effective as PRP

That alternative is microneedling.

What Does the Clinical Evidence Say?

Two randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trials indicate that microneedling produces the same hair parameter improvements as PRP. Let’s take a closer look at these studies and determine if PRP has any benefits over microneedling.

Study 1 – Split Scalp Study Comparing Microneedling Alone to Microneedling with PRP

This one-year-long study included 30 male patients with varying degrees of androgenic alopecia. Each participant received treatments on different halves of their scalp – one half received microneedling only, and the other half of the scalp received microneedling and PRP together. The treatments were conducted over four months, with a follow-up evaluation three months after the final session. The effectiveness was measured using dermoscopic microphotographs and patient satisfaction scores.^[5]Aggarwal K, Gupta S, Jangra RS, Mahendra A, Yadav A, Sharma A. Dermoscopic Assessment of Microneedling Alone versus Microneedling with Platelet-Rich Plasma in Cases of Male Pattern Alopecia: A … Continue reading

The Results

• Hair Thickness and Density: Both treatments significantly improved hair thickness and density. The microneedling-only group nearly doubled the increase in hair thickness compared to the microneedling and PRP groups, though the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (Figure 1).
• Patient Satisfaction: Most patients reported moderate satisfaction with the treatment outcomes, noting reduced hair loss but not necessarily new hair growth.
• Long-Term Effects: A follow-up revealed that some patients experienced a recurrence of hair loss, indicating the need for ongoing or maintenance treatments.

The Conclusion

Both microneedling and PRP can effectively treat androgenic alopecia and improve hair parameters and patient satisfaction. However, adding PRP to microneedling did not show any significant additional benefits over microneedling alone.

Study 2 – PRP Compared to Saline Injection

Another study was conducted with 26 women with female pattern hair loss. The women were randomly assigned to receive either 10 mL of PRP or a normal saline placebo. The study’s primary endpoints were hair count and hair mass index (HMI), measured at baseline and after 26 weeks. Additionally, a patient survey was conducted to gauge personal perceptions of treatment effectiveness.^[7]Puig CJ, Reese R, Peters M. Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study on the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Women With Female Androgenetic Alopecia. Dermatol Surg. 2016 Nov;42(11):1243-1247. Doi: … Continue reading

The Results

• Hair Count and Mass: There was no statistically significant difference between the PRP and placebo groups regarding hair count and HMI after 26 weeks. This suggests that the needle insertion and the subsequent acute inflammation may be the reason for the improvement in hair growth, rather than the injection and the PRP (spoiler alert, you can get the same effect from just microneedling).
• Patient Survey: A small percentage (13.3%) of the treatment group reported substantial improvement in aspects like hair loss rate, hair thickness, and ease of hair management compared to the placebo group. However, these subjective improvements did not align with the objective measurements of hair count and HMI.

The Conclusion

This study, despite being well-designed, did not demonstrate a significant advantage of PRP over placebo in treating female androgenetic alopecia. The findings suggest that further research is needed to fully understand the role of PRP in hair loss treatment, including the possible contribution of the injection process beyond the growth factors in PRP.

So, it’s not looking great for PRP compared to microneedling. But are there any other redeeming qualities?

What About the Cost?

We know that PRP can improve hair loss outcomes, but it does not appear to be any more effective than microneedling. So does the cost make it more appealing?

No.

PRP is several times more expensive than microneedling. Let’s break it down a bit.

Microneedling Cost-Benefit

Let’s start with the costs:

• Initial investment: A microneedling device (roller or pen) can range from $10 – $200 for at-home devices.
• Replacement costs: Needles or cartridges, if applicable.
• Maintenance: Limited to cleaning and sterilizing the device.

Now, let’s see the benefits:

• Effectiveness: Proven to improve hair thickness and density in several studies.
• Convenience: This can be done at home.
• One-time cost: Mostly just the initial investment; very low ongoing costs.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Cost-Benefit

Costs:

• Per Session Cost: Each PRP session can range from $400 – $1300, depending on material quality and where you go.
• Annual cost: $1500 – $10,000 (assuming 3-4 sessions)
• Frequency: Initially, multiple sessions are needed, often 3-4 per year
• Maintenance: Every 6 – 12 months after the initial treatment to maintain hair regrowth.

Benefits:

• Effectiveness: Clinical studies show that it can stimulate hair growth and increase hair density (though microneedling can produce the same results).
• Professional Supervision: Performed by medical professionals, offering expertise and safety.

Based on the above information, it’s safe to say that you get more for your money with microneedling, given its effectiveness and significantly lower costs.

What About the Convenience / Ease of Use?

Several key differences become apparent when comparing the convenience and ease of use between microneedling and PRP.

Microneedling

Microneedling is notably convenient, especially with at-home devices. It allows individuals to perform the treatment at their own pace and in the comfort of their own homes, eliminating the need for frequent clinic visits. Furthermore, these devices are relatively straightforward to use. After an initial learning curve, users can quickly integrate the treatment into their routine. These sessions can also be relatively quick, often taking less than 10 minutes, and can be easily scheduled around personal routines and commitments.

If you want to learn more about integrating microneedling into your routine, look at our Ultimate Guide here.

Platelet-Rich Plasma

PRP therapy, on the other hand, is less convenient compared to microneedling due to the necessity of visiting a clinic or a healthcare provider for each session. This requires scheduling appointments, possibly taking time off work, and traveling to the clinic.

It is also not a self-administered treatment. It requires a skilled medical professional to draw the blood, process it to concentrate the platelets and inject it into the scalp. The process is more complex and clinical compared to miconeedling. Moreover, each PRP session, including preparation and treatment, takes longer than a typical microneedling session (treatment alone can take ~1 hour!), and the need to schedule and attend clinic appointments adds to the time commitment.

Overview Comparing Microneedling and PRP Therapy

Take a look at this overview table that we’ve created to get a quick comparison between the two treatments.

Criteria	Microneedling	PRP Therapy
Effectiveness	Similar improvements in hair count and thickness in comparative studies.
Cost per Session	Relatively low; cost primarily involves the purchasing of a microneedling device. This can range from less than $10 for a derma roller to ~$80+ for a derma pen. If you want an aesthetician to do it for you, it can cost $50 – $150 per session.	Higher. It involves the cost of blood draws, processing, and injections per session. The cost of just one injection can range anywhere from $400 – $1300, depending on the materials’ quality and where you go for treatment.
Total Cost for Treatment	There is a one-time cost for the device, which can be reused multiple times.	Treatments (3-4 rounds) could cost $1500 – $10,000.
Session Frequency	It can vary; typically, once a week to once every few weeks.	Every 4-6 weeks for the first 3-4 months, then maintenance treatments every 6- 12 months.
Ease-of-Use/Convenience	You can perform it at home but must learn the proper technique.	A healthcare professional must perform it in a clinical setting.
Recovery Time/Side Effects	Minimal; may include temporary redness or irritation.	Minimal; may include scalp tenderness, swelling, or mild pain at the injection sites.
Longevity of Results	Long-term consistent use is required for sustained results – however, some benefits may be retained even after the stoppage of treatment.	Periodic maintenance sessions are needed for sustained results.

In addition to saving time and money (which can amount to tens of thousands of dollars), it’s important to be cautious when following a dermatologist’s recommendation for PRP or any other autologous hair growth therapy. Instead, when weighing the options between microneedling and PRP, it may be wise to consider the benefits of microneedling.