POST CARE GUIDE

PRP Hair Restoration Aftercare

PRP hair restoration draws a small amount of your own blood, concentrates the platelets, and injects that growth-factor-rich plasma into the scalp to coax dormant follicles back into an active growth phase. It is used for thinning hair and early-to-moderate pattern (androgenetic) hair loss in both men and women. Your aftercare shapes your results. The first 24 hours matter most: keep the scalp dry and untouched, skip washing and sweating, and let the platelets settle in. Over the next day or two, expect mild soreness, tightness, and maybe a little pinpoint bruising that fade on their own. A temporary uptick in shedding in the first weeks is normal and usually a sign the follicles are waking up. This guide from The Spa by Sheena in Lubbock covers each step: the no-wash window, the products and NSAIDs to avoid, what is normal versus what warrants a call, and the multi-session series that builds gradual density over three to six months.

Download Post Care Guide (806) 701-5840

Your PRP Hair Restoration recovery at a glance

What happens, and when

Here is the path from treatment day to final result.

First 24 Hours

Scalp untouched

Hands off the scalp. No washing, rinsing, brushing, or styling, and no hats or headbands pressing on the treated area. Skip anything that makes you sweat. This first day lets the platelets settle into the follicles and get to work undisturbed.

First 48 Hours

No sweat, no chemicals

Keep it calm and clean. No workouts, saunas, hot tubs, or swimming, and no hair color, perms, or chemical treatments. If your scalp is sore, reach for Tylenol rather than ibuprofen or other NSAIDs, and hold off on alcohol for about a day.

2 to 3 Months

Thickening shows

Results build slowly. Most people notice less shedding first, then gradually fuller, thicker-looking hair around the two-to-three-month mark as new growth cycles take hold. PRP works best as a series, with periodic maintenance to keep the progress going.

How to care for your scalp through the growth phase

How to Care for Your Scalp After PRP Hair Restoration

Tylenol only for discomfort

If your scalp feels sore, reach for acetaminophen (Tylenol) rather than an anti-inflammatory. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and other NSAIDs quiet the same inflammation that PRP is meant to create, which can blunt the platelet signal your follicles are responding to. For that reason we ask you to avoid NSAIDs for several days around your treatment. Most people find the tenderness mild enough that they need little or nothing at all. A cool compress over a thin cloth can also take the edge off without any medication.

Hydrate generously

Drink plenty of water in the days after your session. PRP is drawn from your own blood, so staying well hydrated helps you feel better afterward and supports your recovery. This is also a good window to skip alcohol for about a day, since it is dehydrating and can add to bruising and swelling at the injection sites. A balanced diet with enough protein, iron, and vitamin D gives your follicles the raw materials they draw on as new growth cycles begin. Steady habits matter more here than any single perfect day.

No styling products (48 hours)

Give the injection sites a clean break from styling products for at least 48 hours. That means no gels, mousse, hairspray, dry shampoo, leave-in treatments, hair dye, bleach, perms, or relaxers. The scalp has dozens of tiny needle entry points that are still sealing, and the chemicals and fragrances in these products can irritate them or interfere with the platelet response. Plain hair, pulled loosely back if you need it off your face, is best for the first couple of days. Ease back into your usual routine once the tenderness is gone.

Gentle shampoo (days 2 to 4)

After the first 24 hours you can shampoo again. For the next few days, use a mild, sulfate-free, fragrance-free shampoo and lukewarm water, never hot. Work it in with light fingertip pressure and let the water do most of the rinsing. Skip clarifying shampoos, scalp scrubs, exfoliating brushes, and anything medicated unless your provider cleared it. Pat your hair dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing. If you blow-dry, keep it on cool or low for the first several days.

No washing (first 24 hours)

Keep your scalp completely dry for the first 24 hours. Do not wash, rinse, or shower your hair during this window. Water, shampoo, and heavy sweat can wash away or dilute the platelets before they anchor into the follicles and start signaling dormant hair back into a growth phase. That first day is when the growth factors do their most important work. The less you disturb the scalp, the better. If it feels tight or itchy, try not to scratch or rub. Let it settle on its own.

Mild scalp soreness, redness, and a shedding window at week 6

What's Normal: PRP Hair Restoration Downtime

Normal, temporary, and part of the process.

No real downtime

There is no true downtime with PRP hair restoration. Most people head straight back to work, errands, and daily life the same day. The main things to plan around are the 24-hour no-wash rule and roughly 48 hours away from hard workouts, heavy sweating, saunas, hot tubs, and swimming. Light walking and normal movement are fine right away. Because the treatment starts with a small blood draw, some people feel a little tired or lightheaded for a short while, so eat something and hydrate before you leave. Keep the rest of the day low-key and you will be set.

Temporary shedding (around week 6)

Do not be alarmed if you shed a little extra hair in the weeks after treatment. It often shows up somewhere between two and six weeks in. This is a recognized and usually temporary part of the process: growth factors coax resting follicles into an active phase, and older, weaker hairs get pushed out as stronger strands grow in underneath. For most people it settles on its own within a couple of months and does not affect the final result. If the shedding is heavy, patchy, or still climbing past the three-month mark, call us so we can take a look.

Scalp soreness and tightness (2 to 3 days)

A tight, tender, sometimes achy feeling across the treated areas is normal for the first two to three days while your scalp absorbs the volume of fluid that was injected. It can feel a bit like a mild sunburn, or a dull ache when you raise your eyebrows or lie down. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated on an extra pillow the first night helps limit overnight swelling. The sensation eases a little each day. If soreness is climbing instead of settling after 48 hours, let us know so we can check on you.

Injection site reaction (2 to 5 days)

Some mild redness, puffiness, warmth, or pinpoint bruising at the needle sites is completely expected, and it usually fades within two to five days. You may see small dots where the injections went in and feel a little tenderness when you touch the area. A cool compress held over a clean cloth for ten to fifteen minutes can ease swelling if you want it. Keep makeup and hair products off the scalp during this window. If redness or swelling is spreading rather than shrinking after day two, that is worth a call to us.

NSAIDs, heat, and products to avoid for 72 hours

What to Avoid After PRP Hair Restoration

Strenuous Exercise

Avoid vigorous exercise, sweating, saunas, steam rooms, and swimming for 72 hours. Sweat on a freshly-treated scalp risks infection and irritation at injection sites.

Sun Exposure (72 hours)

Avoid direct sun exposure on the scalp for 72 hours. If outdoors, wear a loose, clean hat. UV damage on injection sites can prolong inflammation.

Alcohol (72 hours)

Avoid alcohol for 72 hours. Alcohol is dehydrating and can blunt the cellular response PRP depends on.

NSAIDs (5 to 7 days)

Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, Aleve, Motrin, naproxen) for 5 to 7 days. These anti-inflammatories interfere with the platelet healing response — the entire mechanism PRP uses to work.

Ice & Cold

Avoid applying ice directly to the treated scalp. Ice is anti-inflammatory and can reduce PRP effectiveness during the activation window.

Scalp Touching & Massage

Do not massage, scratch, or rub the scalp for 72 hours. Pressure disturbs the platelets before they have settled into the follicles.

When to Call The Spa After PRP Hair Restoration

Contact The Spa immediately if you experience:

Some tenderness, redness at the injection sites, pinpoint bruising, mild swelling, and a tight feeling across the scalp are all normal in the first few days after PRP hair restoration, and they ease a little more each day. Reactions like these do not need a call. What follows does. Reach out promptly if you notice any of the following:

Signs of infection — redness that spreads or worsens after day two, warmth, pus or drainage from an injection site, a foul odor, fever, or red streaks running out from the scalp.
Severe or worsening pain — pain that climbs rather than settling over the first 48 hours, or pain that acetaminophen does not touch.
Significant or lasting swelling of the scalp, forehead, or around the eyes that continues past the first five days.
Signs of an allergic reaction — hives, widespread itching, a rash beyond the scalp, or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat with trouble breathing.
Unusual hair loss — sudden patchy loss, or shedding that keeps intensifying rather than tapering off over the weeks after treatment.

During business hours, call us at (806) 701-5840 and we will help you decide the next step. If you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or another emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

FAQ

Your questions, answered

We’ve answered some of the most common questions below to help make your experience simple, transparent, and stress-free.

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is your own blood, drawn at your appointment and spun in a centrifuge to isolate the platelets and growth factors. Those concentrated growth factors—when injected back into your scalp, face, or applied during microneedling—signal your tissue to regenerate, build collagen, and repair. It's regenerative medicine using your own biology.

What is PRP and how does it work?

Three main applications: PRP for hair restoration (slowing or reversing thinning), PRP with microneedling for skin rejuvenation and acne scars, and PRP "filler" for under-eye hollows and overall facial volume in patients who prefer not to use synthetic fillers. We tailor the protocol to your specific concern.

What can PRP treat?

Yes for the right candidate. PRP is most effective for early-to-middle stage hair loss—androgenetic alopecia, receding hairline, thinning crown. It's less effective once a follicle has been dormant for years. Most patients need 3 to 4 initial sessions spaced 4 weeks apart, then maintenance every 6 to 9 months. Best results come from combining PRP with topical treatments like minoxidil.

Does PRP for hair actually work?

Varies by treatment. PRP Hair Restoration: 3 to 4 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart, then maintenance every 6 to 9 months. PRP for Face/Microneedling: 3 to 4 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. PRP Filler: 1 to 3 sessions depending on goal. Your provider will design the protocol at consultation.

How many PRP sessions will I need?

The injection itself is a series of small pinches—we use the smallest possible needles. For PRP microneedling, the treated area is numbed with topical anesthetic first. Scalp injections can be more sensitive—we can offer additional numbing if needed. Most patients tolerate it well.

Does PRP hurt?

Hair PRP: minor scalp soreness for 24 hours, no visible signs. Facial PRP/microneedling: 5 days of recovery with redness and mild swelling, like a sunburn. PRP filler: bruising and swelling for up to 7 days under the eyes. Plan around social events.

What's the downtime for PRP?

PRP is drawn from your own blood, so an allergic reaction to the material itself is not a concern the way it can be with a synthetic product. Your provider uses sterile technique and follows medical protocols throughout. That said, PRP is a procedure, not a risk-free one: bruising, swelling and tenderness are normal, and it is avoided if you have a bleeding disorder, a low platelet count, an active infection, or take blood-thinning medication. It is not FDA-approved; the centrifuge is an FDA-cleared device and this use is off-label.

Is PRP safe?

PRP services range $250–$700 depending on treatment: PRP for Face/Microneedling $250, PRP Hair Restoration $675, PRP Filler $700. Series pricing available. Membership reduces per-session cost.

How much does PRP cost in Lubbock?

Hair: new growth starts at 3–4 months, with full results from a series visible at 6–9 months. Facial: initial glow within days from microneedling effect; collagen building over 3 months. PRP filler: immediate plumping, with longer-term improvement over months as growth factors work.

When will I see PRP results?

Yes. PRP works well with microneedling (most common combination), with topical hair treatments like minoxidil and finasteride, with other injectables like fillers, and with laser treatments. We'll design a combined protocol if your goals warrant it.

Can PRP be combined with other treatments?

Most healthy adults are candidates. Not appropriate for patients with active blood disorders, on certain blood-thinning medications, with active infections, or with platelet dysfunction. We screen at consultation. PRP requires drawing your blood, so patients with needle-related anxiety should know that going in.

Who's a candidate for PRP?

Book a complimentary PRP consultation. We'll evaluate the area you want to treat, determine if PRP is the right approach, and design a treatment plan. Call (806) 701-5840 or book online.