GFC Therapy

Growth Factor Concentrate (GFC) therapy is a non-surgical treatment for hair thinning, prepared from a small sample of your own blood. The growth factors from your platelets are concentrated and injected into thinning areas of the scalp to support weakening follicles.

What is GFC therapy?

GFC — Growth Factor Concentrate — is prepared from a small sample of your own blood. Rather than injecting platelet-rich plasma directly, the platelets are activated and the growth factors they release are concentrated, so a higher dose reaches the follicles with far fewer red and white cells in the preparation.

The growth factors are intended to:

• Support hair follicles that are weakening
• Improve blood supply to the scalp
• Help slow hair fall
• Improve the thickness of hair that is thinning

GFC is a newer preparation than PRP and its evidence base is still growing. Results vary between individuals.

What does a course of GFC involve?

Treatment is a course of scalp injections spaced several weeks apart; how many depends on how advanced the thinning is and how the scalp responds, which is set at assessment rather than sold as a fixed package. A numbing cream is applied first, and you can return to work the same day.

Who is GFC suitable for?

• Male and female pattern hair loss in the early to moderate stages
• Hair thinning and a receding hairline
• Maintaining native hair before or after a hair transplant

GFC supports follicles that are weakening. It cannot produce hair where follicles are no longer present, which is why it is offered for thinning rather than for bald areas — and why a consultation looks at the scalp before recommending it.

What are the side effects of GFC?

Because the preparation is made from your own blood, allergic reactions are very unlikely. Expected effects are mild tenderness, occasional pinpoint bruising and, rarely, a headache the same day. It is not offered during pregnancy, with an active scalp infection, or with certain blood disorders.