Jenna’s First Time: Trying PRF for Hair Loss During Perimenopause
- Jenna Levine Liu
- 5 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Perimenopause and Hair Loss, Let’s Talk About the Part No One Warned Us About
Disclosure: This post includes sponsored links and a gifted PRF treatment. All opinions are my own.
Perimenopause is the hot word on the street for women in their late 30s to mid-40s, and honestly, it’s a beast. Anxiety, night sweats, irregular periods, brain fog, irritability, headaches, and my personal least favorite, hair loss. Being a woman is amazing, but it can also be a total suck.
One of the most common types of hair loss during this stage is androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern hair loss. It can be triggered by dropping estrogen levels, chronic stress, postpartum hormone shifts, or even coming off birth control. All super fun times.
This type of hair loss usually shows up as a widening part, especially at the crown, overall thinning on top of the head, a thinner ponytail, and increased shedding in the shower or when brushing. Unlike male pattern baldness, the hairline typically stays intact. Wow. Lucky us. Truly thrilled to be here.
I started noticing my part widening around age 39, and it made me deeply insecure. So I did what I always do, I researched. Then I called my friends Leigh Mazzei and Mandy Fawcett at ProMD Health Bethesda and asked if they thought PRF would be a good option for me. They gave an enthusiastic 'hell yes,' and I scheduled my first appointment.
Talk Science to Me: What Is PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin)
PRF stands for platelet-rich fibrin. The TLDR is this: your blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate white blood cells, a fibrin matrix, and growth factors.
Unlike PRP, which uses an anticoagulant to keep blood from clotting, PRF contains no additives. It’s entirely your own biology at work.
That difference matters.
Why the Clotting Difference Matters
The key difference between PRF and PRP is how the blood is allowed to behave.
PRP uses an anticoagulant to prevent clotting, which keeps platelets suspended but also changes how growth factors are released. Most of those growth factors are delivered all at once and then dissipate quickly.
PRF, on the other hand, allows blood to clot naturally. That natural coagulation creates a fibrin matrix that acts like a slow-release system. Growth factors are trapped inside the fibrin and released gradually over days instead of minutes.
This slower, sustained release creates a longer window of signaling for healing, blood vessel formation, and follicle stimulation. In other words, PRF doesn’t just dump growth factors into the scalp; it creates an environment where follicles have time to respond.
PRF forms a fibrin scaffold, essentially a natural mesh. This mesh traps growth factors and releases them slowly over 7 to 14 days. That slow release helps reactivate weakened hair follicles, extend the hair growth phase, improve blood supply to the scalp, and reduce inflammation around the follicles.
A Walk Down Early-2000s Memory Lane, Where PRF Comes From
PRF was developed in the early 2000s as the next evolution of PRP. It was first introduced by French physician and researcher Joseph Choukroun for use in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
The goal was to create a more natural regenerative treatment by eliminating additives like anticoagulants and allowing blood to clot naturally. This led to the formation of a fibrin matrix that releases growth factors gradually instead of all at once.
PRF was initially used in dentistry and surgical wound healing to improve tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and speed recovery. Over time, its use expanded into orthopedics, aesthetics, dermatology, and eventually hair restoration.
This isn’t a trend. It’s a medical evolution.
Does PRF Hurt
This is the question I get the most.
Between Botox, fillers, and vitamin shots, I deal with a lot of needles. For me, getting roughly 15 scalp injections was a walk in the park. The needles are very small, and my only side effects were soreness around the injection sites and a mild headache that resolved with Tylenol.
Important note: Do not take Advil or other NSAIDs after PRF.
PRF works by creating a controlled inflammatory response. That inflammation signals healing and activates growth factors. Advil blocks prostaglandins, which means it blunts the very process PRF is designed to trigger.
Pain management is fine. Inflammation suppression is not.
PRF as a Treatment Option for Perimenopause Hair Loss
What it actually looks like, and why patience matters
This is the part people get impatient about, but it’s critical to understand.
PRF isn’t slow. Hair growth is. Yes, it’s annoying, but hair is going to do what it wants to do on its own timeline, much like toddlers and men. If you’ve ever gotten bangs in an emotional state, you know exactly what I mean.
Hair grows in cycles, not all at once. Each follicle moves through a growth phase, a short transition phase, and then a resting and shedding phase. When PRF is injected, it doesn’t create new hair follicles. It helps weakened or miniaturized follicles wake up and reenter the growth phase.
Many of the follicles being treated are in the resting or shedding phase at the time of injection. Before stronger hair can grow, those follicles have to finish that cycle and restart. That’s why some people see shedding early on. It’s a reset, not a failure.
Once a follicle reenters the growth phase, hair grows slowly, about half an inch per month. New hairs start fine and soft, then thickens over time. Most people notice reduced shedding first, then cute little itty-bitty baby hairs, then increased density long before they notice length.
PRF also works gradually by design. Growth factors are released over weeks, improving the scalp environment first. Visible change comes last. Yes, it’s annoying because you want it immediately, but biology does not care about your impatience.
Typical timelines look like this, and yes, they require emotional maturity. Shedding slows around 2 to 3 months. Early regrowth appears around 3 to 6 months. Noticeable thickness shows up between 6 and 9 months. Full results land closer to 9 to 12 months.
The short version, PRF sets the stage, but your biology controls the timeline. This isn’t an overnight cosmetic fix. It’s a regenerative process, and patience is part of the deal. Sorry, babes.
My Results So Far
I’m about 6.5 months in, and my part is noticeably filling in. My hair also feels thicker overall than it did before starting treatment.
To support my PRF results, I use Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam nightly and use a dermaroller on my scalp every two weeks to stimulate growth. This combination has been working well for me, and I’m excited to see what my hair looks like at the one-year mark.
I’ll likely need a once-yearly PRF touch-up, and realistically, age and hormones being what they are, I may need another full treatment in a decade. But for now, this long game has shown promising results backed by real science.
Final Thoughts
This experience reinforced something I’ve learned over and over again. Regenerative treatments aren’t about instant gratification. They’re about creating the right conditions and letting your body do what it’s designed to do.
And yes, you still haven’t lived until you’ve had Leigh and Mandy injecting your scalp with roughly 15 needles at the same time. Absolute pros.
Medical Disclaimer: This post reflects my personal experience and is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider to determine what treatments are appropriate for you.
If you’re experiencing hair changes during perimenopause, drop a comment or question below! Let’s talk real timelines and what you’re noticing.
Author: Jenna Levine Liu, Founder and President of Sixx Cool Moms. You can follow Jenna on Facebook, Instagram, and begrudgingly TikTok