5 Things to Avoid After Your PRP Hair Restoration Treatment
With over a decade of focused experience and one of the region’s most advanced regenerative platforms, the Center for Hair Restoration in Pittsburgh uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to help revive diminishing follicles and strengthen overall density. PRP is a concentrated fraction of your own blood—packed with growth factors and cytokines—processed and injected into areas showing early to moderate thinning to stimulate follicle activity and support healthier, more resilient strands.
Although PRP is far less invasive than a transplant, its success relies heavily on the post-treatment window, when those growth factors are actively engaging the follicles. Knowing what to avoid in the hours and days after your session is essential for preserving your results and maximizing the impact of your treatment.
1. Skipping the Gentle-Handling Phase
- A common mistake is returning too quickly to scalp manipulation, such as massages, aggressive brushing, or adjusting hats with firm pressure
- Because the scalp is in an active regenerative phase, even minor disturbance can interfere with platelet activity and early follicle response
- For the first 8–24 hours, keep the area entirely hands-off to give the treatment the best chance to take effect
2. Taking Anti-Inflammatory Medications & Blood-Thinning Substances
- After PRP, you actually want a certain amount of inflammation, because this is part of the regenerative cascade
- A systematic review found that non-selective NSAIDs and antiplatelet agents may reduce the growth-factor release from PRP by impairing platelet activation via COX-1/COX-2 pathways
- Our Center prioritizes maximizing the biologic potential of your treatment, so you’ll receive specific guidance about when to resume such medications or supplements
3. Heavy Exercise, Heat/Steam Exposure & Sweating
- For the first 48–72 hours after your treatment, your scalp should avoid any condition that raises temperature, causes heavy perspiration, or increases blood pressure to the scalp
- This means no saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, intense workouts, swimming, or direct sun on the scalp
- Excessive heat or sweat can lead to flushing of platelets before they’ve anchored, potential irritation, and possibly sub‐optimal uptake of growth factors
4. Using Harsh Hair Products, Dyes, Styling Tools, or Hats Too Soon
- Because the scalp has been punctured and is in recovery mode, you should avoid hair dyes, chemical straighteners, strong styling gels/sprays, tight hats or helmets for at least the first 3–7 days
- These introduce chemical or mechanical stress to vulnerable follicles and the surrounding skin
- Our philosophy—premium technology plus careful recovery—is undermined if you immediately expose your scalp to harsh treatments
- Keep it simple, clean, and low-trauma until your subsequent follow-up
Neglecting Follow-Up & Maintenance Planning
- PRP isn’t a “one and done” fix
- Current literature supports multiple treatment sessions, often spaced at roughly four-week intervals, with long-term maintenance required to preserve results
- At the Center, we embed your PRP into a broader plan tailored for you, possibly in combination with other treatments (medications, low-level light therapy) or scheduled maintenance visits
- Skipping follow-up eliminates one of your greatest safeguards for long-term success
Start by Booking Your Consultation Today
Your decision to proceed with PRP at the Center for Hair Restoration already sets you apart: you are choosing proactive, medically guided care instead of accepting hair loss as inevitable. However, the real progress depends on how you protect your scalp in the coming days and support the regenerative process that is now underway.
If you have questions about activity restrictions, combining PRP with other therapies, or developing a long-term maintenance plan, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Brian Vassar Heil. He is a board-certified plastic surgeon, a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, a multi-year New Beauty “Top Beauty Doctor,” and one of the region’s most sought-after experts in advanced male hair restoration.
With over a decade of focused experience and one of the highest procedural volumes in the tri-state area, Dr. Heil and his team deliver the highest level of precision, safety, and natural-looking results.
We’d love to work with you. Contact us to schedule your consultation and learn more.
