PRP vs. FUE: Which Hair Restoration Option Is Right for You?
If you've started researching hair restoration, you've probably run into two terms over and over: PRP and FUE. They come up in the same conversations, sometimes in the same sentence, and it's easy to walk away more confused than when you started. At Apex Hair Restoration & Aesthetics, this is one of the most common questions we hear in our Ottawa consultations — not "does this work," but "which one is actually right for me?"
Here's a straightforward breakdown of the difference, so you can walk into your consultation already knowing what to ask.
What Is PRP?
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapyis a non-surgical treatment that uses your own blood's growth factors to support hair follicles that are still active but thinning. We draw a small blood sample, isolate the platelet-rich portion in a centrifuge, and apply it directly to the scalp. There's no incision and no downtime — most patients are back to their day immediately after.
Want the full science behind it? We break it down in our PRP deep-dive.
What is FUE?
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)is a surgical hair transplant. Individual healthy follicles are removed from a donor area — usually the back of the scalp — and relocated to areas where hair has been permanently lost. Unlike PRP, FUE doesn't just support existing hair; it physically rebuilds density where follicles are no longer present at all.
PRP vs. FUE: The Key Differences
How it works: PRP supports follicles you already have. FUE relocates healthy follicles to areas with permanent loss.
Invasiveness: PRP is non-surgical with no incisions. FUE is a surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia.
Downtime: PRP has virtually none. FUE typically involves several days of visible healing and about a week before returning to normal activity.
Permanence: PRP results depend on maintaining a treatment schedule over time. FUE-transplanted follicles are permanent once they've taken.
Best suited for: PRP tends to suit early-to-moderate thinning where follicles are still active. FUE tends to suit more advanced or localized permanent hair loss.
Cost: PRP is typically billed per session, with a series recommended. FUE is typically a single larger investment covering the full procedure.
Who Tends to Choose PRP?
PRP is often the better starting point if you're noticing early thinning, a widening part, or finer hair — but haven't lost follicles altogether. It's also a common choice for people who want to slow progression without surgery, or who aren't ready to commit to a transplant yet.
Who Tends to Choose FUE?
FUE tends to be the right fit when hair loss has progressed to the point where follicles in an area are no longer producing hair at all — no amount of PRP can regrow a follicle that's gone dormant permanently. If you're looking for a one-time, permanent solution to a defined area of loss, FUE is usually the conversation to have.
Can You Do Both?
Often, yes. Many of our Ottawa patients use PRP and FUE together rather than choosing one over the other — PRP to support the native hair they still have, and FUE to rebuild density where it's needed most. The two treatments work differently, which is exactly why they complement each other well.
Which One Is Right for You?
Every case comes down to your specific pattern of hair loss, and that's not something a blog post can diagnose — it takes a proper scalp assessment. Results vary from person to person, and we can't promise a specific outcome without seeing your situation directly, but we can give you an honest, no-pressure read on what's realistic.
