How long do the effects of a PRP treatment last?
How long do the effects of a PRP treatment last? Discover the real duration (12-18 months), the importance of annual maintenance, and why PRP is like going to the gym for your hair. Free consultation in Montreal.
This question inevitably arises after the final session of your initial protocol. You're admiring your new hair in the mirror, wondering, "Will these results last a lifetime?"
Let’s be honest from the start: PRP results are not permanent. But before you get discouraged, let us explain why this is entirely normal and how to maintain your gains with minimal effort.
Think of PRP like going to the gym for your hair – you need a few maintenance sessions to keep your hair shape in top condition!
The reality of PRP results: effective but not permanent
Why isn't PRP definitive?
PRP slows down hair loss and stimulates regrowth, but it doesn’t stop aging or hormones. It’s crucial to understand this fundamental mechanism.
What PRP does:
✅ Reactivates your dormant follicles
✅ Stimulates the production of stronger hair
✅ Improves scalp circulation
✅ Significantly slows down hair loss
What PRP cannot do:
❌ Completely halt follicular aging
❌ Permanently neutralize androgen hormones
❌ Prevent long-term genetic influence
❌ Create new follicles where there are none
The perfect analogy: Your hair and the gym
Think of your hair like your physical condition. When you decide to get back in shape:
Intensive training phase (initial PRP protocol):
You go to the gym 3-4 times a week for 3 months
You build your muscles, lose fat
You achieve your ideal shape
Maintenance phase (PRP upkeep):
You can't stop exercising completely
You reduce it to 1-2 sessions a week
You maintain your form without excessive effort
Without maintenance:
Your muscles gradually atrophy
You return to your initial state in 12-18 months
It's exactly the same for your hair! We can't stop the aging cycle, but we can significantly slow it down.
Duration of effects: real timeline
Optimal results: 12-18 months without maintenance
After your full protocol, you benefit from:
12-18 months of optimal results
Hair loss stabilized by 70-80% less than initially
Maintained hair density
Preserved hair quality
Progressive decline without maintenance
Months 12-15: The first signs
Very slight resumption of hair loss
Hair feels less thick to the touch
Subtle decrease in shine
Months 15-18: More noticeable decline
Hair loss becomes more prominent again
Thinning areas become visible again
Gradual return to the initial state
Months 18-24: Return to the starting situation
Effectiveness of PRP completely fades
Hair loss returns to pre-treatment levels
Density returns to the initial state
With regular maintenance: lasting results
1-2 sessions per year = results maintained indefinitely!
Just like the gym, a minimum regular effort preserves all your gains.
PRP maintenance: your hair insurance
Optimal maintenance protocol
Recommended frequency:
1 session every 6-12 months depending on your response
Most of our patients: 1 annual session
More advanced cases: 1 session every 6-8 months
Signals indicating it's time:
🚨 Slight recurrence of morning hair loss
🚨 Hair less voluminous when styling
🚨 Decreased natural shine
🚨 Areas become more visible again
Advantages of regular maintenance:
✅ Prevention: act before degradation
✅ Maximum efficacy: one session is enough to reboot
✅ Cost-saving: less expensive than a new full protocol
✅ Comfort: effortless maintenance of gains
Comparison with other solutions
PRP with maintenance vs without:
With: 1 session/year = permanent results
Without: back to square one in 18 months
PRP vs other treatments:
Minoxidil: daily application for life
Finasteride: daily pill with potential side effects
Hair transplant: heavy intervention but definitive on the grafted area
PRP: 1 annual session without daily constraints
Factors influencing the duration of results
Favorable factors (longer-lasting effects)
Your profile:
Young age (under 40 years)
Mild to moderate alopecia
Excellent response to the initial protocol
No major chronic stress
Your habits:
Balanced lifestyle (diet, sleep, exercise)
Effective stress management
No smoking
Scalp protection
Factors shortening the duration
Pay attention to these elements:
Intense chronic stress (accelerates hair loss)
Significant hormonal changes
Persistent nutritional deficiencies
Excessive sun exposure
Aggressive hair treatments
Optimization of duration
Our expert advice:
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Protect your scalp from aggressions
Monitor the first signs of decline
Plan your maintenance proactively
The cost of maintenance: a smart investment
Long-term vision
Without maintenance:
Complete new protocol every 2 years
Considerable cost and time
Periods of degradation between protocols
With maintenance:
1 annual session
Constant result maintenance
Minimal investment for maximum benefit
Calculation over 5 years
Scenario A - Without maintenance:
2-3 full protocols needed
High total cost
Results fluctuations
Scenario B - With maintenance:
1 initial protocol + 5 maintenance sessions
Cost reduced by 40-50%
Consistent and optimal results
PRP maintenance is the most cost-effective gym membership for your hair!
Comparison: PRP vs lifelong solutions
Constraining daily solutions
Minoxidil:
Application morning and evening
Recurring annual cost
Stopping = immediate loss of benefits
Possible side effects (irritations)
Finasteride:
Daily pill
Potential side effects (libido, erection)
Regular medical follow-up
Stopping = resumption of hair loss
The freedom of PRP with maintenance
1 annual session for:
✅ Total daily freedom
✅ No systemic side effects
✅ Natural and harmonious results
✅ No constraints between sessions
Like maintaining physical fitness: 1-2 sessions at the gym per week are enough once you've reached your goals!
Signs it's time for your maintenance
Early indicators (ideal for intervention)
Observe these subtle changes:
Hair count on the pillow slightly increases
Hair less easy to style
Volume seems to decrease after shampooing
Natural shine less radiant
Late indicators (urgent intervention)
If you notice:
Significantly higher hair loss
Thinning areas become visible again
Return of hair-related complexes
Notable aesthetic degradation
Expert advice: Better to anticipate than to catch up! Schedule your maintenance session before the signs become obvious.
Our maintenance approach at Clinique DC
Personalized follow-up
12-month evaluation:
Comparative photographic assessment
Assessment of current density
Analysis of evolution since the initial protocol
Adapted planning:
Excellent responders: maintenance at 12-15 months
Average responders: maintenance at 8-10 months
Special cases: tailor-made protocol
Reminder system
We don't leave you alone:
Automatic reminder at 10 months
Remote evaluation if necessary
Personalized advice according to your evolution
Why embrace this reality?
Positive vision of maintenance
PRP maintenance is:
✅ Proof that it works: if you need to maintain it, it's because you have results to preserve!
✅ A lifestyle choice: like sports, diet, skincare
✅ A health investment: investing in your long-term well-being
✅ Freedom: no daily constraint, just an annual appointment
In life, nothing precious is maintained without effort
Your house: regular maintenance to preserve its value
Your car: annual check-ups for performance
Your health: regular preventive check-ups
Your hair: one annual PRP session!
We can't stop the aging cycle, but we can slow it intelligently.
Your maintenance journey begins now
The effects of your PRP treatment will last 12-18 months without intervention. With minimal maintenance of one annual session, these results become your new permanent hair reality.
It's a smart life choice: invest 1 hour a year to maintain the self-confidence you've regained.
Ready to plan your maintenance strategy?
To set up your personalized maintenance schedule and understand precisely when to schedule your first upkeep session, book your FREE hair eligibility consultation now.
Your hair has regained its vitality. Let’s keep them in top shape!
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Have a question? The DC team has the answer for you.
Come and visit us.
With the industry's most advanced equipment, we ensure both effective and high-quality care. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to integrating the latest technologies available.