PRP, Minoxidil or Finasteride for Hair Loss: How They Differ and Whether They Combine

PRP (platelet-rich plasma), minoxidil and finasteride are three different kinds of treatment for pattern hair loss, and they are usually discussed as options that can sit side by side, not as one choice. Minoxidil and finasteride are daily medicines. The NHS describes them as the main treatments for male pattern baldness. PRP is an in-clinic procedure with a smaller and less certain evidence base. Research on adding PRP to minoxidil points towards a possible benefit, but the authors of the main review rate the evidence very low quality. We found no controlled trial that tests PRP plus oral finasteride against finasteride alone. This guide does not diagnose your hair loss or tell you what to take.

How do the three differ?

	Minoxidil	Finasteride	PRP
What it is	Scalp solution or foam applied at home	Tablet that lowers dihydrotestosterone (DHT)	Your own blood, processed to concentrate platelets, injected into the scalp by a practitioner
Who it is licensed or described for	Men and women (UK women's foam: ages 18 to 65)	Men only. The NHS says women should not use finasteride	Used off-label for hair loss; not offered on the NHS
How often	Daily, long term	Daily, long term	A course of sessions set by the practitioner
When to judge	BAD: at least 6 months, possibly 12	BAD: up to 14 months of continuous use	Trials mostly followed people for 3 to 6 months
If you stop	BAD: benefit lasts only while it is used	BAD: hair loss restarts after stopping	Trials were too short to show how long any effect lasts
Main cautions	Skin irritation; early shedding; not for pregnancy or breastfeeding (UK women's foam label)	MHRA: depression, suicidal thoughts and sexual dysfunction; patient card in the pack	Injection-site soreness and bruising; needs assessment and a conversation about medicines such as blood thinners

Sources for each row are in the evidence list below. Nobody should start, stop or change a prescribed medicine because of a website; speak to your GP or pharmacist.

What does the evidence say about each?

Minoxidil and finasteride are the established options. The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) says 5% minoxidil may cause skin reactions and an initial increase in shedding in the first 4 to 6 weeks, and that oral finasteride can cause decreased libido and erectile problems. In May 2026 the MHRA strengthened its warnings: finasteride is associated with depression, suicidal ideation and sexual dysfunction, and the healthcare-professional advice says sexual dysfunction may persist after stopping. Anyone with a history of low mood should tell the prescriber, and anyone who develops depression or suicidal thoughts on finasteride 1 mg should stop it and seek medical advice straight away (999 if there is a risk of serious self-harm).

PRP has more mixed evidence. American Family Physician summarised three meta-analyses that favoured PRP for hair density in men, but also noted that a network meta-analysis rated its evidence low quality and made no recommendation for or against PRP. PRP trials vary in how the plasma is made, how often it is injected and how long people are followed. BAD says only limited research suggests some benefit and that it is unpredictable.

Is PRP better than minoxidil?

Not clearly. A 2023 randomised, open-label trial in 64 men with moderate pattern loss found 56% responded on minoxidil and 38% on PRP at 24 weeks, a difference that was not statistically significant. The authors concluded PRP is effective for moderate loss but perhaps no different from minoxidil. Other small trials have reported differences on other measures, so one trial does not settle it.

Can PRP be combined with minoxidil or finasteride?

With minoxidil: a 2024 PLOS ONE systematic review pooled four randomised trials of PRP plus 5% minoxidil against minoxidil alone. Hair density was higher with the combination at 1, 3 and 5 to 6 months, and adverse events did not differ significantly. The authors rated the certainty low to very low: the trials were small (about 20 to 50 people per group), most were at high risk of bias, and PRP preparation varied. The authors could not say whether the size of the difference matters to a person looking in the mirror.

With finasteride: we did not find a controlled trial comparing oral finasteride plus PRP with finasteride alone. In some trials people stayed on their own medicine in both groups, which tests PRP against a placebo injection, not against the drug. Do not read these as proof that the combination works better than the drug alone.

What that means in practice: the evidence does not show that PRP replaces either medicine. Whether PRP makes sense alongside a medicine you already take, or after one has not helped, is a decision for you and a practitioner after assessing your type and stage of hair loss.

Which situations need assessment first?

The trials above concern androgenetic (pattern) hair loss. Sudden shedding, patchy loss, scalp symptoms, or loss after illness, childbirth or a medicine change can have other causes. The NHS advises seeing a GP to find the cause before going to a commercial hair clinic. Our guide on hair shedding versus pattern hair loss explains why the diagnosis matters. Women should know that finasteride is not for them; the UK women's minoxidil foam label says not to use it in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

What to ask before adding PRP

1. What type of hair loss do I have, and how was that decided?
2. Is PRP being proposed instead of, or alongside, a medicine? What is the reason?
3. What does the published evidence for my situation show, and how strong is it?
4. How will progress be measured (for example dated photographs in the same lighting), and when will we review?
5. How many sessions are proposed and what does the whole course cost, including reviews? Compare with the Progen prices page.
6. Should I mention medicines, including aspirin, ibuprofen or blood thinners? See what to tell the clinic before PRP hair treatment.
7. What is the plan if there is little change?

Next step

If you are weighing PRP in Bournemouth, read the PRP hair loss treatment information and book a consultation there, or contact the clinic with general questions. Your practitioner will confirm suitability and plan after assessment. Results vary and cannot be guaranteed.

Frequently asked questions

Does PRP replace minoxidil or finasteride?

The evidence does not show that. Minoxidil and finasteride are the established treatments, and the NHS and BAD describe them as the main options. PRP evidence is smaller and rated low quality in some reviews. Any decision about replacing or adding to a medicine should be made with your GP, pharmacist or the practitioner after assessment.

Can you have PRP while using minoxidil?

Trials have tested PRP added to 5% minoxidil, and a 2024 meta-analysis found higher hair density with the combination, but the authors rated the evidence low to very low certainty. Ask the practitioner whether it is suitable for you and tell them about all medicines you use.

Is there evidence for PRP together with finasteride?

We did not find a controlled trial comparing oral finasteride plus PRP with finasteride alone. Finasteride carries MHRA warnings about depression, suicidal thoughts and sexual side effects, so speak to the prescriber about any changes.

Can women use finasteride for hair loss?

The NHS says women should not use finasteride. Minoxidil is the option licensed for women; the UK women's foam label says not to use it in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Speak to your GP or pharmacist.

How long before I know if a treatment is working?

BAD says minoxidil needs at least 6 months and possibly up to 12 months, and finasteride can need continuous use for up to 14 months. PRP trials mostly followed people for 3 to 6 months, so an early review is a progress check, not a final verdict.

Read about PRP hair treatment and book a consultation

Sources and further information

• BAD leaflet (produced 2016, updated Jan 2021 and June 2024; next review June 2027): minoxidil 5% at least 6 months possibly up to 12, skin reactions, early shedding 4-6 weeks, benefit only while used, not on NHS prescription; finasteride reduces DHT, libido and erectile problems reported, up to 14 months, hair loss restarts after stopping; PRP not offered under NHS, limited research, unpredictable. Accessed 5 November 2026.
• NHS (last reviewed 24 January 2024): minoxidil and finasteride main treatments for male pattern baldness; minoxidil can treat female pattern baldness; women should not use finasteride; only work while used; see a GP before a commercial hair clinic. Accessed 5 November 2026.
• MHRA Drug Safety Update, 11 May 2026: finasteride is associated with depression, suicidal ideation and sexual dysfunction; sexual dysfunction may persist after stopping (HCP advice); patient cards in 1 mg and 5 mg packs; for 1 mg stop and contact the doctor if depression or suicidal thoughts develop; 999 if serious self-harm. Accessed 5 November 2026.
• Regaine for Women 5% foam SmPC (updated 1 June 2026): indicated for women aged 18 to 65; not for use in pregnancy or lactation; 12 to 24 weeks before growth expected; stop if no improvement after 24 weeks. Accessed 5 November 2026.
• Yao et al., PLOS ONE, 28 August 2024: PRP plus topical 5% minoxidil vs minoxidil alone, 4 RCTs pooled (5 included), hair density higher at 1, 3 and 5/6 months; no significant difference in adverse events; low to very low GRADE certainty; 3 trials high risk of bias. Accessed 5 November 2026.
• Balasundaram et al., J Dermatolog Treat 2023: 64 men, 24-week open-label randomised trial of PRP vs minoxidil; response 56% minoxidil vs 38% PRP, p = 0.124; authors conclude PRP effective but perhaps no different from minoxidil. Accessed 5 November 2026.
• American Family Physician (Jan 2022): three meta-analyses favoured PRP for hair density in men; network meta-analysis rated low quality with no recommendation for or against PRP; PRP off-label for androgenetic alopecia; protocols vary; no recommendation about combining with finasteride or minoxidil. Accessed 5 November 2026.