Hair loss has many causes: stress, hormones, poor scalp and hair health, genetics, aging, and even inflammation. That’s why not all hair growth treatments work the same.
Keravive focuses on healthy scalp health, while PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) uses your own blood growth factors to stimulate hair follicles. Each approach has scientific backing, but they work differently, and one may be a better match for your hair goals than the other.
Key Differences Between Keravive vs PRP
Keravive Scalp Treatment
Keravive treatment focuses on enhancing scalp and hair health by cleansing, exfoliating, and nourishing the scalp to create an optimal environment for hair growth. It’s ideal for early thinning hair, dryness, or buildup.
While PRP therapy for hair, on the other hand, uses your own blood’s platelet-rich plasma to stimulate hair follicles, making it a better option for more advanced hair loss or hair thinning or genetically driven conditions like androgenic alopecia.
Keravive scalp treatment is noninvasive and relaxing, while PRP involves PRP injection and a slightly more medical approach. Depending on your scalp and hair follicles condition, one may be more effective, or you may benefit from using them together alongside PRP hair treatments.
| Feature | Keravive | PRP |
| Target | Scalp and hair health, hydration, follicle cleansing | Hair follicle stimulation with growth factors |
| Procedure Type | Noninvasive scalp facial with serums | Blood draw and injected into the scalp |
| Pain Level | Zero pain, relaxing treatment | Mild discomfort from injections |
| Recommended For | Dull scalp, early thinning hair, clogged follicles | Genetic hair loss, alopecia, moderate thinning |
| Downtime | None | Minimal redness |
| Results Timeline | 1 to 3 months | 3 to 6 months for visible changes |
| Best Use | Preventative and support treatment | Regrowth and fuller-looking hair |
What Is Keravive Treatment for Hair Loss?
Keravive by Hydrafacial is often described as a facial for your scalp. Developed by the makers of Hydrafacial, this treatment is designed to deep clean your scalp, unclog scalp and hair follicles, and infuse vital growth-stimulating peptides.
At Catara Med Spa, we recommend treatment with Keravive for clients who have signs of buildup, dryness, or early-stage thinning. It’s especially helpful if you use a lot of hair products, experience scalp irritation, or just want to create a healthy scalp and hair environment.
How Does Keravive Work?
Keravive is a 3-step process:
- Treatment cleanses and Exfoliates: A device similar to a Hydrafacial vortex technology tool is used to gently suction away dirt, oil, and dead skin cells from the scalp.
- Hydrate and Nourish: A proprietary blend of growth factors and skin proteins is applied to the scalp to encourage healthier hair growth.
- Daily Use Spray: You’re sent home with a take-home Keravive peptide spray to keep nourishing the scalp between sessions.
Unlike PRP, there’s no blood, no needles, and no discomfort.
Benefits of Keravive Scalp Treatment
- Boosts scalp and hair circulation and oxygen flow
- Cleans follicles to reduce blockages and inflammation
- Hydrates dry or flaky scalp
- Supports natural healthy hair growth environment
- Improves results of Keravive when used alongside PRP hair treatments
- Relaxing and pain-free experience
Clinical studies have shown that patients using Keravive experienced improved hair fullness, a shinier texture, and better scalp and hair health after just three in-office treatments.
Potential Side Effects of Keravive
Keravive is extremely low risk. Possible side effects are rare but may include:
- Mild scalp sensitivity after treatment
- Temporary redness (usually fades within an hour)
- Slight flaking in some cases
Most people experience no side effects at all, making it a suitable treatment for those who want best results without downtime.
Cost of Keravive Treatment
At Catara Med Spa, the average cost of a single treatment with Keravive ranges from $500 to $600. We recommend a series of three treatments every four weeks, for best results. The take-home spray is included.
Compared to PRP, Keravive is more affordable upfront, especially if you’re still in the early stages of hair loss.
What Is PRP for Hair Loss?
PRP Microneedling therapy is a hair loss treatment that uses your body’s own healing factors, specifically platelet-rich plasma, to jumpstart new hair growth.
It’s especially effective for individuals with male and female hair loss and has been shown to help revive dormant follicles and thicken existing hair.
How Does PRP Work?
Here’s what to expect during a PRP treatment for hair loss:
- Blood Draw: A small amount of your blood is drawn, like at a routine lab test.
- Centrifuge Separation: The blood is spun to separate the platelet-rich plasma.
- Scalp Injections: The PRP is injected into the scalp directly into areas of thinning hair using a fine needle.
This treatment involves monthly sessions for 3 to 4 treatments, followed by maintenance sessions every 6 to 12 months.
Benefits of PRP Hair Treatment
- Stimulate hair follicles to grow new hair growth
- Increases hair thickness and strength
- Uses your body’s own natural healing without foreign chemicals
- Safe and effective with long-term use
- Clinically backed for treating hair loss
Several clinical studies have shown that PRP increases hair density and thickness over time, particularly when combined with other therapies, such as microneedling or supplements.
Potential Side Effects of PRP Hair Treatment
PRP treatments for hair loss are generally safe, but side effects can include:
- Mild swelling or redness at PRP injection sites
- Temporary tenderness or bruising
- Slight headache after treatment
- Infection risk (rare if done professionally)
That’s why it’s essential to undergo PRP therapy for hair with a licensed provider, such as the experts at Catara Med Spa, who adhere to strict medical protocols for cleanliness and technique.
Cost of PRP Treatment
PRP costs vary depending on the provider and location, but most people can expect to pay $600 to $900 per session. A full treatment plan often includes 3 to 4 sessions initially, with follow-up appointments every 6 to 12 months.
While more expensive than Keravive, PRP is considered an investment for people seeking real regrowth, especially if experiencing hair thinning or loss is moderate to severe.
FAQs
Is there anything better than PRP?
PRP is highly effective, especially for androgenic alopecia. However, it works even better when combined with treatments like:
- Keravive and PRP injections (to prep the scalp and enhance follicle function)
- Microneedling
- Laser therapy
- Nutritional support
In many cases, a combined approach to hair restoration is more effective than PRP alone.
Which hair treatment is better than PRP?
That depends on your goals. If you’re in early stages of hair loss and want to improve scalp and hair health, Hydrafacial Keravive may be more appropriate. If you’re looking for stronger regrowth in bald or thinning patches, PRP treatments for hair loss are likely a better option.
Begin with a scalp and hair consultation at Catara Med Spa, where we can tailor a customized treatment plan to suit your hair type and history.
Does PRP regrow hair permanently?
PRP therapy results are long-lasting, but not necessarily permanent. Regular maintenance sessions are often necessary to maintain consistent healthy hair growth. Most patients come in every 6 to 12 months after the initial series.
Is Keravive treatment safe?
Yes. Keravive uses FDA-cleared, treatments that are minimally invasive and safe for nearly all scalp types, including sensitive skin. There’s no downtime, making it ideal for people who want scalp and hair rejuvenation without any needles or recovery time.
Keravive vs PRP – Which Works Best?
In truth, Keravive and PRP injections are not competitors—they’re complementary.
If your scalp is dry, irritated, or congested, Keravive offers a reset for your scalp and paves the way for healthier hair growth. If your follicles are miniaturizing due to hormonal or genetic factors, PRP therapy for hair can stimulate hair follicles and help thicken your hair. When combined, they offer a powerful one-two punch against hair loss and thinning.
At Catara Med Spa in Algonquin, we offer both Keravive and PRP options, and can help you determine which path or combination is best suited as a treatment for thinning hair. Our consultations are personal, detailed, and designed to help you feel confident every step of the way.
Ready to restore the health of your scalp and the health of your hair?
Book your complimentary hair loss treatment consultation with Catara Med Spa today. Let’s create a customized treatment plan that gets real best results, naturally.