The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

September 2015 in “ Stem Cells Translational Medicine ”

Pietro Gentile, Simone Garcovich, Alessandra Bielli, Maria Giovanna Scioli, Augusto Orlandi, Valerio Cervelli

platelet-rich plasma PRP hair regrowth hair thickness hair count hair density epidermis thickness follicles

TLDR Platelet-rich plasma injections significantly improved hair regrowth and thickness in patients with hair loss.

In a 2015 randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 40 patients with hair loss, researchers found that injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) significantly improved hair regrowth and increased hair thickness. The PRP treatment was performed three times at 30-day intervals. The results showed a significant increase in mean hair count and hair density in the treatment area after 3 months, with a mean increase of 33.6 hairs. Microscopic evaluation showed an increase in epidermis thickness and the number of follicles in PRP-treated hair skin after 2 weeks from the last PRP treatment. The study concluded that PRP treatment was effective in promoting hair regrowth in patients with hair loss, with no major side effects reported. However, more extensive controlled studies were recommended.

View this study on academic.oup.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

17 / 17 results

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia

107 citations, August 2014 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

PRP injections improve hair thickness for baldness.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenic Alopecia: Myth or Effective Tool

115 citations, January 2014 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a cheap and easy treatment for hair loss, but not suitable for everyone. It also helps in healing ulcers, rejuvenating skin, and improving hair transplants.

research The Effect of Autologous Activated Platelet Rich Plasma Injection on Pattern Hair Loss: Clinical and Histomorphometric Evaluation

183 citations, January 2014 in “BioMed Research International”

AA-PRP injections effectively increase hair count and thickness for male pattern hair loss.

research Study of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia Through a One-Year Period

164 citations, January 2014 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

PRP injections increase hair density and satisfaction in androgenetic alopecia patients.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Half-Head Study to Evaluate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Alopecia Areata

research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Half-Head Study to Evaluate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Alopecia Areata

205 citations, April 2013 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Platelet-rich plasma treatment significantly increased hair regrowth and decreased discomfort in alopecia patients, making it a potentially better and safer treatment option.

research The Effect of CD34+ Cell-Containing Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection on Pattern Hair Loss: A Preliminary Study

88 citations, December 2012 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Injecting CD34+ cell-containing platelet-rich plasma into the scalp can improve hair count and thickness in people with pattern hair loss.

research Caspase-1 Level Is Higher in the Scalp in Androgenetic Alopecia

27 citations, July 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Higher caspase-1 levels found in balding scalps; reducing it may help treat hair loss.

research Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Potential Therapeutic Tool for Promoting Hair Growth

270 citations, March 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma can potentially promote hair growth by stimulating cell growth and increasing certain proteins.

research Enhanced Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma Containing a New Carrier on Hair Growth

166 citations, September 2011 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma with a new carrier significantly increases hair thickness without serious side effects.

research Hair Growth and Rejuvenation: An Overview

81 citations, June 2010 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

The document concludes that minoxidil and finasteride are proven for hair growth, herbal remedies show promise, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

research Pitx2, A β-Catenin-Regulated Transcription Factor, Regulates The Differentiation Of Outer Root Sheath Cells Cultured In Vitro

51 citations, February 2009 in “Journal of dermatological science”

Pitx2 helps outer root sheath cells differentiate but can't start hair growth on its own.

research Promotive Effect of Minoxidil Combined with All-Trans Retinoic Acid (Tretinoin) on Human Hair Growth In Vitro

41 citations, January 2007 in “Journal of Korean Medical Science”

Minoxidil and ATRA together boost hair growth more effectively than minoxidil alone.

research The Role of Platelet Plasma Growth Factors in Male Pattern Baldness Surgery

251 citations, October 2006 in “Plastic and reconstructive surgery/PSEF CD journals”

Using platelet plasma growth factors in baldness surgery can increase the number of hair follicles.

research Effect of Minoxidil on Proliferation and Apoptosis in Dermal Papilla Cells of Human Hair Follicle

149 citations, April 2004 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by increasing cell production and survival.

research Effects of Finasteride on Apoptosis and Regulation of the Human Hair Cycle

21 citations, January 2002 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

Finasteride affects hair growth by changing caspase and XIAP levels, potentially treating hair diseases.

research Effects of Finasteride on Apoptosis and Regulation of the Human Hair Cycle

23 citations, January 2002 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

Finasteride helps hair growth by decreasing cell death in hair follicles.

research Finasteride and the Hair Cycle

26 citations, May 2000 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride improves hair growth.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 79 results

community Most Recent Interesting Hairloss Studies: 10% Minox vs 5% Minox / Radio Rrequency Treatment for AA / Topical Ketoconazole / PRP+Minox vs Minox vs PRP / Alopecia as a systemic disease

in Treatment 87 upvotes 4 years ago

Treatments for hair loss, such as topical minoxidil, platelet-rich plasma therapy with or without minoxidil, ketoconazole, non-abative radio frequency, natural products, finasteride and cortexolone 17 alpha propionate. The post evaluates the efficacy and safety of these treatments in various studies.

community What else is good. Besides the big 3.

in Chat 34 upvotes 2 months ago

Key treatments for hair preservation include minoxidil, finasteride/dutasteride, and microneedling, with additional options like specific shampoos, oils, biotin, zinc, tretinoin, clascoterone, and low-level laser therapy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reducing stress, and addressing nutrient deficiencies can also support hair health.

community To my fellow under 20s that are balding

in Chat 127 upvotes 1 year ago

The conversation is about young men under 20 experiencing hair loss. They discuss their experiences and treatments used, including finasteride (fin) and minoxidil (min).

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 4 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community When are we getting a cure to hair loss?

in Chat 1 year ago

Potential treatments for hair loss, including Minoxidil, finasteride, RU58841 and various upcoming pharmaceuticals, gene editing and cloning. It is suggested that a cure, if found, would be highly profitable due to the large number of people affected by hair loss globally.

community 1.5 years fin plus almost 3 years min, I think I’ve definitely made progress but I’m still not where I want to be, advice?

in Progress Pictures 130 upvotes 11 months ago

The user has been using finasteride for 1.5 years and minoxidil for almost 3 years for hair loss, and has seen some maintenance of hair but not significant regrowth. Suggestions from others include switching to dutasteride, trying oral minoxidil, and considering microneedling or hair fibers for better appearance.

Related Research

9 / 9 results

The Effect of Placebo in Split-Scalp and Whole-Head Platelet-Rich Plasma Trials for Androgenetic Alopecia Differs: Findings from a Systematic Review with Quantitative Evidence Syntheses

research The Effect of Placebo in Split-Scalp and Whole-Head Platelet-Rich Plasma Trials for Androgenetic Alopecia Differs: Findings from a Systematic Review with Quantitative Evidence Syntheses

January 2022 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Placebo effects vary in hair loss trials, with split-scalp trials showing higher hair density after 6 months compared to whole-head trials.

research Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Patients with Androgenic Alopecia

October 2020 in “Medical journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and Health Services”

PRP injections significantly increased hair growth in patients with androgenic alopecia.

research Hair Therapy: Platelet-Rich Plasma

January 2020 in “Hair therapy & transplantation”

PRP therapy can help stimulate natural hair growth and thicken hair.

Introducing Platelet-Rich Stroma: Platelet-Rich Plasma and Stromal Vascular Fraction Combined for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research Introducing Platelet-Rich Stroma: Platelet-Rich Plasma and Stromal Vascular Fraction Combined for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

40 citations, March 2018 in “Aesthetic Surgery Journal”

New treatment combining PRP and SVF increases hair density in 6-12 weeks for androgenetic alopecia patients.

research Alopecia and Platelet-Derived Therapies

23 citations, November 2017 in “Stem cell investigation”

Platelet lysate is more effective than activated autologous platelet-rich plasma or saline in improving hair growth after hair restoration surgery.

research Injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

25 citations, July 2017 in “Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery”

PRP injections help regrow hair, reduce hair loss, and increase hair thickness, but effects decrease without ongoing treatment.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenic Alopecia: Indications, Technique, and Potential Benefits

18 citations, November 2016 in “Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery”

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment can potentially increase hair density and quality in people with hair loss, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

research Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study on the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Women With Female Androgenetic Alopecia

87 citations, September 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

PRP shows potential for treating female hair loss, but more research needed.

research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Half-Head Study to Evaluate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Alopecia Areata

205 citations, April 2013 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Platelet-rich plasma treatment significantly increased hair regrowth and decreased discomfort in alopecia patients, making it a potentially better and safer treatment option.