PRP vs Steroid Injections for Hair Loss: Results, Cost & Side Effects
BY TRYBELLO
Jul 14, 2025
Key Takeaways
- PRP uses your body's natural growth factors to stimulate hair follicles, while steroid injections work by reducing inflammation that contributes to certain types of hair loss.
- Steroid injections typically show faster initial results (2–4 weeks) compared to PRP, which may take 3–6 months for noticeable improvement.
- PRP is generally more expensive ($500–$2,500 per session) than steroid injections ($100–$300 per session) but has fewer long-term side effects.
- Different hair loss conditions respond better to specific treatments. Androgenetic alopecia often responds better to PRP, while alopecia areata may benefit more from steroid treatment.
- Trybello's Hair Helper Spray provides a convenient daily alternative that combines proven ingredients like biotin, castor oil, and caffeine to naturally support hair growth without injections or clinical visits.
Hair Loss Treatments Face-Off
When tackling hair loss, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and steroid injections represent two distinctly different approaches.
PRP is a regenerative treatment that uses your own blood components to stimulate hair growth. Steroid injections, on the other hand, work by suppressing inflammation that might be causing your hair loss.
The ideal treatment choice depends largely on the type of hair loss you're experiencing, your budget, treatment goals, and how quickly you need results.
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Understanding PRP Procedure
PRP therapy is one of the most exciting advancements in hair restoration in recent years. This minimally invasive procedure utilizes your body's own healing mechanisms to promote hair growth.
The treatment has gained popularity due to its natural approach and promising results for certain types of hair loss.
Blood Collection
Your PRP journey begins with a simple blood draw, similar to what you'd experience during a routine lab test. A healthcare professional will collect a small amount of your blood, usually between 10 and 60 milliliters, depending on the treatment area size.
The amount needed is minimal, about 1–4 tablespoons, so you won't feel weak or lightheaded afterward. The blood is drawn into tubes that contain an anticoagulant to prevent clotting during the processing phase.
Centrifuge Process
After collection, your blood sample is placed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins the blood at high speeds to separate its components based on density.
This spinning process typically takes about 10 minutes and separates your blood into three layers: platelet-poor plasma at the top, platelets and white blood cells in the middle (the "buffy coat"), and red blood cells at the bottom.
The platelet-rich middle layer is carefully extracted for use in the treatment. This concentrated solution contains 3–5 times more platelets than normal blood.
Injection Technique
Before injections begin, your scalp is cleansed and may be numbed with a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort. Using a very fine needle, the PRP solution is then injected into your scalp at specific depths and locations where hair growth is needed.
Most practitioners use a technique called microinjection, placing small amounts of PRP across the treatment area about half a centimeter apart. The entire injection process usually takes 15–30 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.
Some providers may use a specialized tool called a microneedling pen that creates tiny channels in the scalp while simultaneously delivering the PRP.
Steroid Injections Explained
Corticosteroid injections have been used for decades and work primarily by suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response that contributes to certain types of hair loss.
These injections deliver potent anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected hair follicles, potentially stopping the process that's causing hair to fall out.
Anti-Inflammatory Action
In conditions like alopecia areata, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing inflammation that disrupts normal hair growth. Steroid injections work by suppressing this autoimmune response locally in the scalp.
The steroids reduce the activity of immune cells and decrease the production of inflammatory chemicals that damage hair follicles. By calming this inflammatory process, steroid injections can allow hair follicles to resume their normal function and restart the hair growth cycle in cases where inflammation is the primary cause of hair loss.
Types Used
The most commonly used steroid for hair loss treatment is triamcinolone acetonide, though others like betamethasone or dexamethasone may sometimes be used. These synthetic corticosteroids mimic the effects of cortisol, a natural hormone produced by your adrenal glands that helps regulate inflammation throughout the body.
The concentration of the steroid solution typically ranges from 2.5 to 10 mg/ml, with the specific strength determined by your doctor based on the severity of your condition, the area being treated, and your previous response to treatment.
These medications are significantly more potent than over-the-counter cortisone creams and must be administered by a qualified healthcare professional.
Treatment Comparison: PRP vs Steroid Injections
Effectiveness Differences
When comparing effectiveness, we need to consider both the type of hair loss and expected outcomes. PRP generally shows superior results for androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), with studies showing significant improvement in hair density after a complete treatment series.
Steroid injections, meanwhile, excel at treating inflammatory hair loss conditions like alopecia areata, with high response rates for limited patches.
PRP works more gradually but potentially offers longer-lasting results, while steroid injections can provide faster initial improvement for autoimmune-related hair loss but may require ongoing treatments to maintain results.
Cost Comparison
PRP therapy is usually a costly financial investment, with average costs ranging from $500-$2,500 per session, usually requiring 3–4 initial treatments.
Steroid injections are generally more affordable, typically costing $100–$300 per session depending on the number of injections needed and your geographic location.
However, steroid treatments may need to be repeated more frequently in some cases, potentially equalizing the long-term costs.
Side Effects/Safety Profile
Both treatments have established safety records, but their risk profiles differ. PRP has minimal long-term side effects since it uses your own blood components, with temporary scalp tenderness and swelling being the most common issues.
Steroid injections carry additional potential risks with repeated use, including skin atrophy (thinning), pigmentation changes, and, in rare cases, systemic absorption of the medication.
For this reason, many practitioners limit the frequency and duration of steroid treatments, particularly when treating larger areas of the scalp or when treatments need to be continued over extended periods.
Result Timeline Differences
The timeline for seeing results varies significantly between these treatments. Steroid injections typically show initial results within 2–4 weeks, with maximum benefit around 4–6 weeks after injection. The effects of steroid injections may begin to diminish after 1–2 months, potentially requiring repeat treatments every 4-6 weeks initially.
PRP has a more gradual onset, with initial improvements often not visible until 2–3 months after treatment begins, and optimal results typically seen around 6 months. PRP results tend to last longer, with maintenance treatments typically recommended every 6–12 months after the initial series is complete.
Detailed Comparison: PRP vs Steroid Injections
| Feature | PRP Therapy | Steroid Injections |
|---|---|---|
| How It Works | Uses your own blood’s platelets, concentrated and injected into the scalp to stimulate hair follicle growth | Delivers corticosteroids (e.g., triamcinolone) directly to scalp to reduce inflammation and suppress immune attack on follicles |
| Best For | Androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss); some cases of alopecia areata | Alopecia areata (autoimmune/inflammatory hair loss); patchy hair loss |
| Onset of Results | Gradual; visible improvement typically in 3–6 months after starting treatment | Rapid; initial regrowth often seen in 2–4 weeks, with maximum benefit at 4–6 weeks |
| Duration of Results | Longer-lasting; maintenance every 6–12 months after initial series | Effects may diminish after 1–2 months; repeat injections often needed every 4–6 weeks |
| Sessions Needed | 3–4 initial sessions (spaced 4–6 weeks apart), then maintenance | Varies; often repeated every 4–6 weeks as needed |
| Cost per Session | $500–$2,500 | $100–$300 |
| Side Effects | Mild: temporary scalp tenderness, swelling, bruising; minimal long-term risks as it uses your own blood | Possible: skin thinning (atrophy), pigment changes, telangiectasia, burning; higher risk with repeated use |
| Safety Profile | Very safe; minimal risk of allergic reaction or systemic side effects | Safe when used appropriately, but risk increases with frequency and dosage |
| Long-Term Use | Suitable for ongoing use with minimal risk | Caution advised with long-term use due to risk of skin and tissue side effects |
Trybello's Complete Hair Restoration Perspective
At Trybello, we recognize that not everyone is ready for injection-based treatments or wants to commit to the time and expense they require. That's exactly why we developed our Bello Hair Helper Spray.
Our hair spray is made using powerful ingredients.
Our Bello Hair Helper Spray formula delivers a powerhouse blend of rice ferment filtrate (sake) for scalp health, ginger extract for circulation stimulation, and argan oil for deep nourishment, alongside the proven trio of biotin, castor oil, and caffeine.
The application couldn't be simpler. Just spray directly onto your scalp morning or evening, gently massage it with your fingertips.
Leave it in throughout the day for the concentrated nutrients to create an optimal environment for hair growth. Or you can also use it as an overnight treatment and wash it off in the morning.
If you're considering advanced treatments like PRP or steroid injections, or you prefer starting with our scientifically formulated daily spray, the key is taking action against hair loss before it progresses further.
Every day you wait is another day your hair follicles aren't getting the support they need to thrive. We're here to support your hair restoration journey at every stage, offering solutions that fit your lifestyle, comfort level, and goals.
Our hair spray is backed by a 120-day growth guarantee so that you can use it confidently. Get your money refunded if you don’t see results!
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