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Quick Answer
PRP injection preparation comes down to two things your doctor could advise. Stop blood thinners (like ibuprofen and aspirin) and supplements (like Omega-3 and Vitamin E) for about five to seven days before your session. On the day, drink plenty of water and eat a proper meal so you do not feel dizzy during the blood draw. During the week before, cut down on alcohol, smoking, saunas, excessive sun exposure, and skip chemical hair treatments.
Undergoing clinical scalp procedures can feel intimidating when you are unsure about the required setup.
How well you prepare in the days before your session matters too. A few simple steps, such as pausing certain medicines when your doctor agrees and arriving well hydrated, help the appointment run smoothly and keep your platelets working well.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy works by drawing a small sample of your blood, processing it in a centrifuge, and injecting the concentrated platelets back into your scalp.
While this clinical process stimulates localised follicles, achieving healthy hair growth also depends on your internal biological health.
What actually happens during a PRP session, and why prep matters?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. During PRP, a clinician draws 10 to 60 millilitres of blood from your arm and spins it at high speed in a machine called a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets and their growth factors (Paichitrojjana, 2022). Those growth factors, such as EGF, IGF-1, and VEGF, are what signal a follicle to shift back towards its active growth phase (Abdin et al., 2022). The collected plasma then goes back into your scalp as an injection.
PRP uses your own platelets, so both their number and their quality matter. To be useful, the plasma is concentrated to roughly two to six times the platelet level of normal blood (Paichitrojjana, 2022). PRP works best for early to moderate thinning and does little once baldness has advanced.
Density can improve on low-to-moderate quality evidence, but the change builds slowly. Early results show up around three months, and results are judged around six (Anitua et al., 2025).
Why should you stop relievers and blood thinners before PRP?
You stop pain relievers because aspirin and painkillers, like ibuprofen, block an enzyme called COX-1. That enzyme helps your platelets clump together and activate. Blocking it can leave you with weaker platelets on the day of your session. PRP depends on platelets activating to release their growth factors, so weaker platelets can mean a weaker preparation.
Many clinics tell you to stop pain relievers about five to seven days before your session. However, never stop a prescribed blood thinner on your own, as that decision is your doctor's to make.
Similarly, avoid alcohol, smoking, and heat. Clinics limit them to keep your blood steadier and your healing on track, and to reduce bruising and swelling.
How do you prepare in the week before a PRP session?
You prepare for a PRP injection by hydrating heavily, pausing anti-inflammatory drugs, avoiding alcohol, and maintaining a nutrient-dense diet for several days before your appointment. Here is a breakdown of the things you should do before your PRP appointment.
One week before:
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Review supplements that can thin your blood with your doctor: vitamin E, high-dose vitamin A, fish oil, and garlic.
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Pause elective anti-inflammatory pain relievers only if your doctor agrees.
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Avoid chemical hair treatments such as straightening and keratin.
Three days before:
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Reduce alcohol and smoking.
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Avoid saunas, steam rooms, and strong midday sun.
The day of:
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Drink plenty of water before your appointment. Proper hydration expands intravascular plasma volume, making your veins easier to access during blood collection and facilitating better plasma yield.
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Eat a full meal so you do not feel dizzy during the blood draw.
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Wash your hair with plain shampoo. Avoid oil, serum, gel, and spray.
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Wear comfortable clothing that gives easy access to your scalp.
What to tell your doctor: You should tell your doctor about your regular medicines and supplements, any blood thinner or bleeding disorder, chronic liver disease, and pregnancy or breastfeeding.
What you should expect on the day of your PRP appointment?
On the day of the appointment, a clinician draws blood from your arm, spins it for a few minutes in a centrifuge, then injects it across your thinning areas. You should expect a mild sting. Some clinics use a numbing cream, and a microneedle approach causes less pain than a standard injection.
Mild soreness, redness, slight swelling, or a light headache for a day or two are common and settle on their own. Minor bruising can happen too. However, no major problems like scarring or infection have been documented.
The bottom line
A thorough PRP injection preparation plan helps maximise plasma concentration and gives the procedure the best conditions to work. Still, injections alone cannot address the internal drivers behind ongoing hair thinning, whether that is genetics and DHT, nutrition gaps, or scalp health.
This is why a root-cause plan tends to outlast a single in-clinic procedure: Traya looks at hair loss through three lenses together, dermatology, Ayurveda, and nutrition, so the internal causes are treated alongside the follicle. Take the Traya Hair Test to uncover the root causes behind your hair concerns and receive a personalised treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
What should you avoid before a PRP injection?
Avoid blood thinners and anti-inflammatory painkillers if your doctor agrees to pause them, plus alcohol, smoking, saunas, and strong sun. On the day of PRP, avoid any oil, gel, or serum on your hair.
Should you wash your hair before PRP, and when can you wash it after?
Yes, wash it the same day with plain shampoo and no product. After PRP, most clinics ask you to wait about a day before washing again.
How much does a PRP injection cost in India?
PRP has no single fixed price in India. Clinics estimate roughly ₹4,000 to ₹9,000 a session, and no peer-reviewed India benchmark exists, so ask your own clinic for its rate.
What are the common PRP injection side effects?
The common PRP injection side effects are mild and short-lived: soreness, redness, slight swelling, a light headache, or minor bruising for a day or two.
Are two sessions of PRP enough?
Two sessions of PRP are usually not enough. Protocols start with at least three sessions about a month apart, then maintenance, so plan for a full course.
References
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