Understanding Hair Loss: Types and Causes
Effective treatment begins with accurate diagnosis — and not all hair loss responds to the same approach. The most common types include:
Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss)
The most prevalent cause of hair thinning in both men and women, androgenetic alopecia is driven by genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a derivative of testosterone that shortens the growth phase of the hair cycle and progressively miniaturises the follicle. In men, this typically presents as a receding hairline or crown thinning; in women, as diffuse thinning across the crown and partline.
Telogen Effluvium
A reactive, diffuse hair loss that occurs following a significant physical or emotional stressor — surgery, illness, childbirth, extreme dietary restriction, or prolonged psychological stress. The hair follicles are pushed prematurely into the resting phase, resulting in significant shedding 2 to 3 months after the triggering event. While often temporary, persistent telogen effluvium can thin the hair significantly if the underlying trigger is not addressed.
Hormonal Hair Loss
Hormonal fluctuations related to thyroid dysfunction, PCOS, perimenopause, and post-partum hormonal changes are significant contributors to female hair thinning. In these cases, addressing the underlying hormonal imbalance is a central part of an effective treatment approach.
How PRP and PRF Restore Hair
Platelet Rich Plasma and Platelet Rich Fibrin both work by delivering a concentrated complex of growth factors directly to the follicular environment of the scalp — the precise location where they can have the most meaningful biological impact.
After a small blood draw (typically 10 to 20ml), the sample is centrifuged to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich plasma. This plasma — containing growth factors including PDGF, VEGF, EGF, and FGF — is then micro-injected across the scalp at follicular level using a fine needle or a mesotherapy device for precise, even distribution.
At the follicular level, these growth factors:
- Stimulate follicular keratinocyte proliferation — essentially waking up dormant or sluggish follicles
- Extend the anagen (active growth) phase of the hair cycle, increasing the proportion of hairs actively growing at any time
- Promote neovascularisation around the follicle, improving blood supply and nutrient delivery
- Reduce follicular inflammation, which in androgenetic alopecia contributes significantly to follicular miniaturisation
PRP vs PRF: What’s the Difference?
PRF represents the evolution of PRP. Centrifuged at a lower speed without an anticoagulant, PRF forms a fibrin matrix that acts as a slow-release scaffold — releasing growth factors progressively over 7 to 10 days rather than all at once. PRF also contains a higher concentration of white blood cells and mesenchymal stem cells, which contribute additional regenerative effects. Many practitioners — and the emerging clinical literature — suggest that PRF may deliver superior and more sustained results for hair restoration compared to standard PRP.
What Results Can You Expect?
Hair restoration with PRP or PRF is a progressive treatment — results develop over months as the follicular environment is regenerated and new hair completes its growth cycle. Most clients notice reduced shedding within 4 to 6 weeks of beginning treatment, with visible improvement in density and coverage becoming apparent at 3 to 6 months.
A standard initial protocol consists of 3 to 4 monthly sessions, followed by maintenance treatments every 3 to 6 months. Results are best maintained in combination with a holistic approach to scalp health, including nutrition, supplementation where appropriate, and stress management — areas that the wider Create Your Wellness approach is well-placed to support.
PRP & PRF Hair Restoration at Create Your Wellness, Watford
At our Watford clinic, hair restoration consultations include a thorough assessment of the type, pattern, and likely cause of your hair loss, enabling us to confirm whether PRP or PRF is appropriate and to design a programme that addresses both the follicular environment and the underlying factors contributing to the problem. This holistic understanding of hair loss — as a symptom of a broader physiological state rather than an isolated condition — is what distinguishes the approach at Create Your Wellness from a straightforward aesthetic treatment.