If you're researching regenerative treatments for thinning hair, two names come up again and again: PRP and exosomes. They're often mentioned in the same breath, but they're not the same thing. Here's a clear, practical comparison to help you understand the difference — and why the right choice is usually decided together at a consultation.
The idea behind both
Both treatments aim to improve the environment around your hair follicles — reducing inflammation and encouraging weakened follicles to produce healthier, thicker hair. Neither is a magic cure, and neither creates new follicles where hair has been lost for years. They work best on hair that is thinning rather than long gone, and they suit people looking to support and strengthen what they still have.
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
PRP uses your own blood. A small sample is taken and spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, which are rich in growth factors. This concentrate is then injected into the scalp. Because it comes from you, there's no foreign material involved.
- Typically a course of 3–4 sessions, spaced roughly a month apart, then maintenance
- The most established of the two, with the longer track record in hair loss
- Involves a blood draw and scalp injections; mild tenderness afterwards is normal
Exosome therapy
Exosomes are tiny "messenger" particles that carry growth factors and signalling molecules. An important point for UK clients: exosomes are not licensed as an injectable in the UK, so here they are applied topically — usually alongside microneedling, which helps the scalp absorb them — rather than injected. It's a newer approach with promising but still-emerging evidence.
- No blood draw required
- Commonly combined with microneedling for delivery
- Newer than PRP, so long-term data is still building
PRP vs exosomes at a glance
| PRP | Exosomes (UK) | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Your own blood | Lab-prepared signalling particles |
| How it's applied | Injected into the scalp | Applied topically, usually with microneedling |
| Blood draw? | Yes | No |
| Track record | Well established | Newer, evidence emerging |
| Best for | Thinning hair, a proven first step | Adding a regenerative boost, needle-free of a blood draw |
So which should you choose?
For many people it isn't strictly "either/or" — the two can complement each other, and other regenerative options like iPRF also play a role. The honest answer is that the right plan depends on your hair-loss pattern, your goals and your medical history. We'll assess all of that first and recommend a realistic approach, not oversell one.
Explore PRP hair therapy, exosome hair therapy and our wider hair regeneration protocol — or book a consultation and we'll talk you through what fits.