Commentary on Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia
August 2014
in “
Dermatologic Surgery
”
TLDR PRP injections may improve hair loss condition, but more research needed.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have been suggested as a potential treatment for androgenetic alopecia, a common hair loss condition. PRP is composed of concentrated platelets in plasma, which secrete cytokines and growth factors that promote wound healing. Studies have shown that PRP can increase hair density and promote hair growth in both animals and humans. A pilot study by Schiavone et al. demonstrated clinical improvement in androgenetic alopecia with PRP injections, supporting its use as a potential monotherapy. However, larger randomized-control human trials are needed to determine the ideal protocol for administration and compare its efficacy to other treatments.