Is PRP or Minoxidil Better for Hair Loss?

By LIV Clinic · Medically reviewed by Dr. Narathai Vichienkalayarut, M.D. · Published October 28, 2026

This is rarely an either-or decision — the better question is which one suits your hair loss, routine and expectations.

Is PRP or minoxidil better for hair loss? Neither is better for everyone. Minoxidil is an established, approved medicine you apply daily, but it needs months of continuous use and hair loss tends to return if you stop. PRP uses injections of your own concentrated platelets in a course of sessions; studies are encouraging but less standardised. For pattern hair loss, many doctors consider combining them after diagnosis.

Start with the cause of your hair loss

Not all thinning is the same

Pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), stress-related shedding, iron deficiency, thyroid problems and scalp conditions can all look similar. Treating the wrong cause wastes time.

Why diagnosis changes the answer

Minoxidil and PRP are mainly used for pattern hair loss. If your shedding is caused by something else, the first step may be blood tests or treating a scalp condition.

How minoxidil works

A daily topical medicine

According to MedlinePlus, topical minoxidil stimulates hair growth and slows balding. You must use it for at least four months, and possibly up to a year, before seeing an effect, and most new hair is lost within a few months of stopping.

Side effects to know

Scalp itching, dryness, flaking and irritation are the most common. MedlinePlus advises contacting a doctor urgently for chest pain, rapid heartbeat, swelling or lightheadedness, and notes the medicine may make skin more sensitive to sunlight.

How PRP works

Your own platelets

Platelet-rich plasma is made by drawing a small amount of your blood, spinning it to concentrate the platelets, and injecting it into the scalp.

Typical schedule

Harvard Health Publishing describes treatment repeated monthly for three months, then every three to six months for maintenance, and reports that a number of studies show PRP can help regrow hair in pattern hair loss. Protocols differ between clinics, which makes results harder to compare.

PRP vs minoxidil at a glance

General comparison only; your doctor confirms what suits your diagnosis and health.

Who tends to suit each option

Factors that often guide the choice:

• Minoxidil may suit people comfortable with a daily routine and early-stage thinning
• PRP may suit people who prefer occasional clinic visits to a daily product
• People who react to minoxidil on the scalp may discuss PRP instead
• Advanced hair loss may need medical or surgical options beyond either
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding and some health conditions change the options — tell your doctor
• Many people with pattern hair loss discuss combining both after diagnosis

Step-by-step: choosing a hair loss plan

A practical sequence:

1. Photograph your scalp in the same light to record your baseline.
2. Book a consultation to assess the pattern and possible causes.
3. Have blood tests if your doctor suggests them.
4. Discuss minoxidil, PRP or a combination based on your diagnosis.
5. Agree a realistic timeline of at least four to six months before judging.
6. Re-photograph every few months to track progress.
7. Review the plan with your doctor rather than stopping abruptly.

Cost and practicality

What drives cost

With minoxidil, cost builds slowly over continuous use. With PRP, it depends on the number of sessions, preparation method and maintenance. The clinic confirms cost after assessment.

Living on or visiting the island

PRP needs repeat visits, which suits residents better than short-stay visitors. Visitors may start with a diagnosis and a home plan they can continue.

Hair loss consultations at LIV Clinic

Diagnosis first

At LIV Clinic on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, Dr. Narathai can assess your hair loss and discuss suitable options. PRP availability varies — confirm with the clinic.

Read next

Read where to get PRP for hair loss on Koh Samui, explore our skin treatments, or book a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Safety and consultation

PRP treatment is a medical procedure and carries some risk — common temporary effects include scalp tenderness, pinpoint bleeding and mild swelling, and less common reactions such as infection are possible; minoxidil is a medicine with its own side effects. Results vary from person to person, and no specific outcome can be promised. This article is general information, not medical advice.

At LIV Clinic, every treatment begins with an in-person assessment by Dr. Narathai Vichienkalayarut, M.D., who reviews your skin, medical history and goals before recommending a personalized plan. Book a consultation to find out whether this treatment suits you.