Hair Transplantation Controversies

October 2017 in “ Dermatologic Surgery ”

Marc R. Avram, Robert Finney, Nicole E. Rogers

hair transplant surgery donor harvesting techniques platelet-rich plasma PRP low-level light therapy elliptical donor harvesting follicular unit extraction FUE hair regrowth postoperative care hair transplant

From the encyclopedia

Platelet-Rich Plasma →

growth factors taken from your blood and injected into your scalp to stimulate hair

Hair Transplant →

Hair transplantation moves DHT-resistant follicles from a donor area (back and sides of the scalp) into thinning or bald areas. The transplanted hair is generally permanent, though surrounding native hair can keep thinning.

Studysummary This review examines controversies in hair transplant surgery, including donor harvesting techniques and the roles of platelet-rich plasma and low-level light therapy, and reports no new clinical results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The 2017 document "Hair Transplantation Controversies" reviewed debates in hair transplant surgery, particularly focusing on donor harvesting techniques, the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and low-level light therapy. It concluded that while hair transplants yield natural-looking results, the best methods for the procedure are still debated, with elliptical donor harvesting and follicular unit extraction (FUE) being the main techniques discussed. The document highlighted a single-blinded study with 40 patients that showed significant benefits of PRP in hair regrowth, with the PRP group experiencing over 75% hair regrowth at 6 months post-operation. The authors emphasized the importance of proper candidate selection, surgical skill, and postoperative care, and suggested that future research will further elucidate the role of PRP in hair transplantation and hair loss treatment.

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Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Dihydrotestosterone Inhibits Hair Growth in Mice by Inhibiting Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Production in Dermal Papillae

32 citations , February 2024 in “Growth Hormone & IGF Research”

In this study, DHT was found to inhibit hair growth in mice by decreasing IGF-I production in dermal papillae through reduced sensory neuron stimulation.

research A Mechanistic Model of Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia

60 citations , September 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This article proposes a mechanistic model for how platelet-rich plasma therapy may stimulate hair growth in androgenetic alopecia by promoting vascularization and activating specific signaling pathways, but it reports no new experimental results.

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”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma did not significantly improve hair mass index or hair count in women with female androgenetic alopecia, though some patients perceived benefits in hair quality.

research Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic (Male-Patterned) Alopecia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

61 citations , September 2016 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma was not effective in treating androgenetic alopecia in men with grade 4–6 hair loss.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Novel Treatment for Lichen Planopillaris

29 citations , March 2016 in “Dermatologic therapy”

In this study, a patient with lichen planopillaris experienced complete resolution of itching and hair shedding following treatment with a new platelet-rich plasma regimen, marking the first reported success in this context.

Outcome of Intra-Operative Injected Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy During Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplant: A Prospective Randomized Study in Forty Patients

research Outcome of Intra-Operative Injected Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy During Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplant: A Prospective Randomized Study in Forty Patients

39 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

This study found that intra-operative platelet-rich plasma therapy may enhance hair regrowth, increase graft density, and activate dormant follicles more effectively than normal saline in follicular unit extraction hair transplant patients.

research Low-Level Laser Therapy and Hair Regrowth: An Evidence-Based Review

60 citations , December 2015 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This review concluded that FDA-cleared low-level laser therapy devices are safe and effective for patients with male and female pattern hair loss who do not respond to or tolerate standard treatments.

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

214 citations , September 2015 in “Stem Cells Translational Medicine”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma injections significantly increased hair count and density in patients with male pattern hair loss without major side effects, suggesting it may be a safe and effective treatment option.

research Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

74 citations , January 2015 in “Asian Journal of Transfusion Science”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma injections led to improvements in hair counts, thickness, and strength in patients with androgenic alopecia, showing promise as an effective treatment with no major adverse effects.

research The Growth of Human Scalp Hair in Females Using Visible Red Light Laser and LED Sources

81 citations , August 2014 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This study found that low-level laser therapy significantly increased hair growth in women with androgenic alopecia, achieving a 37% greater increase in hair counts compared to placebo.

Efficacy and Safety of a Low-Level Laser Device in the Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Multicenter, Randomized, Sham Device-Controlled, Double-Blind Study

research Efficacy and Safety of a Low-Level Laser Device in the Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Multicenter, Randomized, Sham Device-Controlled, Double-Blind Study

147 citations , January 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This study found that low-level laser treatment with the HairMax Lasercomb significantly increased terminal hair density in both men and women with pattern hair loss, with no serious adverse events reported.

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”

This study reported that AA-PRP injections significantly increased hair count and density in individuals with pattern hair loss compared to baseline, demonstrating their potential for enhancing hair growth.

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

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

In this study, PRP injections increased hair count and reduced hair loss in patients with androgenic alopecia not responding to minoxidil and finasteride, with high patient satisfaction reported.

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”

This study found that PRP injections may improve hair density and reduce hair loss in patients with androgenetic alopecia without significant side effects, but further research is needed to confirm efficacy.

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”

In this study, platelet-rich plasma significantly increased hair regrowth and reduced symptoms of alopecia areata compared to triamcinolone acetonide or placebo, with no observed side effects.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Is Effective and Safe for the Treatment of Alopecia

45 citations , March 2013 in “European Journal of Plastic Surgery”

In this retrospective study, PRP injections for alopecia were found to improve hair volume and quality, with high patient satisfaction, particularly in those with less than 2 years of hair loss.

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

166 citations , August 2011 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study found that PRP combined with dalteparin and protamine microparticles may enhance hair growth by increasing hair thickness compared to PRP alone.

research Elliptical Donor Stereoscopically Assisted Micrografting as an Approach to Further Refinement in Hair Transplantation

172 citations , December 1994 in “The Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology”

This study introduces a hair transplantation method combining elliptical excision and micrografting, suggesting it provides significant cosmetic improvements for androgenetic alopecia.