Autologous Adipose Tissue Injection in the Treatment of Alopecia: A Mini-Review
November 2023
in “
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
”
autologous fat grafting AFG alopecia primary cicatricial alopecia secondary cicatricial alopecia androgenic alopecia alopecia areata angiogenesis growth factors adipose tissue anti-inflammatory agents anti-oxidative agents hair follicles hair density inflammation hair regrowth platelet-rich plasma PRP hair shedding AT graft processing fat grafting hair loss hair thinning hair growth hair regeneration fat tissue anti-inflammatory antioxidants hair roots hair volume hair inflammation hair loss prevention fat tissue processing
TLDR Injecting a person's own fat into their scalp may help regrow hair and improve hair thickness in different types of hair loss.
Autologous fat grafting (AFG) is a potential treatment for various types of alopecia, including primary and secondary cicatricial alopecia, androgenic alopecia, and alopecia areata. The treatment works by inducing angiogenesis and secreting growth factors that aid hair regeneration. The adipose tissue also contains anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative agents that prevent further damage to hair follicles. Case studies show that autologous adipose tissue (AT) injection can improve hair density, reduce inflammation, and promote hair regrowth in various alopecia cases. The combination of AFG and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has shown significant hair regeneration and a reduction in further hair shedding. However, re-treatment may be required to maintain results. The method of AT graft processing can affect the outcome, with washing found to be the best method. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to determine the efficacy and safety profile of this treatment method.
