What RESTORE Hair Is

RESTORE Hair is a hair restoration procedure that uses your own blood plasma to stimulate hair growth. The treatment involves drawing a small amount of your blood, processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets and growth factors, and then injecting the resulting plasma into your scalp where hair loss is occurring.

The procedure is sometimes called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for hair. The idea is that the concentrated growth factors in your plasma may trigger dormant hair follicles to enter an active growth phase, potentially thickening existing hair or slowing further loss. Because the material comes from your own blood, there is no risk of rejection or allergic reaction.

RESTORE Hair is performed by dermatologists and hair restoration specialists in an office setting. The entire appointment typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, and you can usually return to normal activities the same day, though you may notice some temporary redness or mild soreness at injection sites.

Key Takeaways

  • RESTORE Hair uses your own blood plasma, concentrated through centrifugation, injected into your scalp to potentially stimulate hair growth.
  • The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes in a doctor's office and requires no downtime, though mild redness or tenderness at injection sites is normal.
  • Results are not may provide and vary widely; some people see thickening or slowed loss within three to six months, while others see no change.
  • Most people need a series of three to four treatments spaced four to six weeks apart, followed by maintenance treatments once or twice yearly.
  • Insurance does not cover RESTORE Hair because it is considered cosmetic, and costs typically range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per session depending on the provider.

How the RESTORE Hair Procedure Works

Your appointment begins with a blood draw, usually from your arm, similar to a routine blood test. The amount drawn is typically 15 to 60 milliliters, depending on the size of the treatment area and the specific protocol your provider uses.

Your blood is then placed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins at high speed to separate the components of your blood by density. This process concentrates the platelets and growth factors into a smaller volume of plasma. The exact concentration method varies by provider and by the specific RESTORE system or similar device they use.

Once the plasma is ready, your scalp is cleaned and numbed with a topical anesthetic or local injection. Your doctor then injects the concentrated plasma into the areas of hair loss, typically using a series of small injections across the affected region. You may feel pressure or mild discomfort, but the numbing should prevent sharp pain.

After the injections, you can leave and resume most normal activities. You may be advised to avoid strenuous exercise, hot showers, or hair washing for 24 to 48 hours. Some providers recommend avoiding certain medications or supplements that thin the blood for a few days before and after treatment.

What Results Look Like and How Long They Take

Results from RESTORE Hair are not when ready. Most people who see improvement notice changes between three and six months after treatment, as hair follicles gradually shift into an active growth phase. The changes are usually subtle: existing hair may appear thicker, new fine hairs may emerge, or the rate of shedding may slow.

Results vary significantly from person to person. Some people see noticeable improvement; others see minimal change. The outcome depends on factors like the extent of your hair loss, how long you have been losing hair, your age, your overall health, and your genetics. Someone with early-stage hair loss may see better results than someone with advanced baldness.

Because results develop gradually and vary widely, your doctor may recommend taking photos before treatment and at regular intervals afterward to track any changes. This helps you and your provider assess whether the treatment is working for you.

Treatment Schedule and Maintenance

RESTORE Hair is not typically a one-time treatment. Most providers recommend an initial series of three to four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. This schedule allows time between treatments for your body to respond to the first injection before receiving the next one.

After you complete the initial series, many providers recommend maintenance treatments one or two times per year to sustain any improvement you have seen. Some people continue maintenance indefinitely; others stop after the initial series and monitor whether hair loss resumes.

Your provider will discuss a treatment plan with you based on your specific situation. If you do not see improvement after the initial series, your doctor can advise whether continuing makes sense or whether a different approach might be more suitable.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

RESTORE Hair is considered a cosmetic procedure, so health insurance does not cover it. You pay out of pocket for each session.

The cost per session varies widely depending on your location, your provider's experience, and the size of the treatment area. A single RESTORE Hair session typically costs between $500 and $2,000. If you need the recommended series of three to four initial treatments plus maintenance, the total cost over a year or two can be substantial.

Some providers offer package pricing if you commit to the full initial series upfront, which may reduce the per-session cost. Ask your provider about their pricing structure and whether they offer payment plans.

Who RESTORE Hair May Help and Who It May Not

RESTORE Hair may be most effective for people in the early to moderate stages of hair loss who still have active hair follicles that can be stimulated. It is often used for androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness) and other types of hair loss where follicles are miniaturizing but not completely dead.

RESTORE Hair is less likely to help if you have advanced baldness with large areas of complete hair loss, because there are fewer active follicles to stimulate. It is also not a treatment for hair loss caused by scarring, severe infections, or certain medical conditions; your doctor can advise whether it is appropriate for your specific type of hair loss.

You should be in generally good health to undergo RESTORE Hair. Certain blood disorders, active infections, or medications that significantly affect blood clotting may make the procedure unsuitable. Your doctor will review your medical history before treatment.

RESTORE Hair Versus Other Hair Loss Treatments

RESTORE Hair is one option among several for addressing hair loss. Other common treatments include minoxidil (Rogaine), a topical medication you explore daily; finasteride (Propecia), an oral medication that slows hair loss; and hair transplant surgery, which moves hair follicles from areas of thick growth to areas of loss.

Minoxidil and finasteride are less expensive than RESTORE Hair and have stronger evidence of effectiveness, but they require ongoing use and do not work for everyone. Hair transplant surgery can produce permanent results but is more invasive and costly. RESTORE Hair falls between these options: it is less invasive than surgery, does not require daily medication, but has less established evidence of effectiveness and requires repeated sessions.

Some people combine RESTORE Hair with other treatments. For example, you might use minoxidil or finasteride alongside RESTORE Hair sessions to maximize the chance of improvement. Your dermatologist can discuss which combination, if any, makes sense for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does RESTORE Hair hurt?

Your scalp is numbed before injection, so you should feel pressure and mild discomfort rather than sharp pain. Some people describe it as a slight stinging sensation. Tenderness or mild soreness at injection sites for a day or two afterward is normal and usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief if needed.

Can I wash my hair after RESTORE Hair treatment?

Most providers recommend waiting 24 to 48 hours before washing your hair or explore products to your scalp. This allows the injected plasma to settle and reduces the risk of irritation. Your provider will give you specific aftercare instructions.

What happens if RESTORE Hair does not work for me?

If you do not see improvement after the initial series of treatments, you can stop and try a different approach. There is no penalty for discontinuing. Some people find that minoxidil or finasteride works better for them, or they may decide that hair loss treatment is not worth the cost or effort.

Is RESTORE Hair the same as PRP therapy?

RESTORE Hair is a brand name for one type of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy used for hair loss. Other providers may use similar PRP systems with different names. The basic concept is the same — concentrating your blood platelets and injecting them into your scalp — but the specific devices and protocols may vary slightly.

How long do results last?

If you see improvement from RESTORE Hair, the results typically last as long as you continue maintenance treatments. Once you stop treatment, any benefit may gradually fade over months as your hair follicles return to their previous state. This is why ongoing maintenance is usually recommended.