Wnt Pathway Hair: How PRP Reactivates the Hair Growth Switch

Microscopic image of stem cells in the hair follicle bulge region — Hair follicle stem cells reside in the bulge region and are reawakened by PRP.

If you’re losing hair and searching for answers that go deeper than hype, the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway might be your missing link. At Dunedin Medical & Aesthetics Clinic, our Crown Confidence PRP programme targets this powerful biological pathway to help restart the hair growth cycle — the science-backed way.

Let’s take a closer look at how PRP reactivates your hair’s dormant stem cells and brings them back to life.

Understanding the Wnt Pathway and Stem Cell Hair Growth

Hair doesn’t just fall out randomly — it’s governed by a tightly controlled biological rhythm. At the centre of this rhythm is the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, a molecular switch that tells hair stem cells when to grow, pause, or shut down.

When this pathway is disrupted (due to hormones like DHT, stress, or age), hair follicles get stuck in the resting phase. The result? Progressive thinning.

The Wnt pathway:

Activates hair follicle stem cells in the bulge region
Stimulates dermal papilla to produce new, thicker hair shafts
Reactivates follicles that have miniaturised (common in androgenetic alopecia)

This is where PRP comes in.

How PRP Supports Hair Regrowth Signalling via Wnt Activation

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains concentrated growth factors — including IGF-1 and FGF — which directly influence the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These messengers:

Encourage stem cell renewal
Boost keratinocyte migration
Promote angiogenesis (blood supply) to the follicle

When injected into the scalp, PRP acts like a wake-up call to sleeping follicles. It stimulates the hair’s anagen (growth) phase and helps prevent early catagen (regression).

In the Crown Confidence protocol, we combine PRP with optional microneedling to enhance absorption and signal amplification — giving your follicles every chance to restart the cycle.

Wnt Pathway Hair Activation: Who It’s For

This more advanced insight is ideal for patients who:

Have early-stage thinning or shedding
Want to understand why their hair is changing
Value regenerative, drug-free approaches
Prefer evidence-based treatments with measurable biological effects

We use a dermoscope and serial photography to monitor changes in density, calibre, and follicle activity — so you see the real-time impact of Wnt pathway hair reactivation through PRP.