Platelet-Rich Plasma: Advances and Controversies in Hair Restoration and Skin Rejuvenation

February 2024 in “ Dermatologic Surgery ”

Arianne Shadi Kourosh, Kathyana P. Santiago Mangual, Ronda S. Farah, Medha Rao, Maria Hordinsky, Suleima Arruda, Neil S. Sadick

platelet-rich plasma PRP androgenetic alopecia autologous blood products skin rejuvenation

TLDR PRP shows promise for hair and skin treatment, but more research is needed for standard practices.

The review article "Platelet-Rich Plasma: Advances and Controversies in Hair Restoration and Skin Rejuvenation" provides an update and analysis of the evidence for the use of Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in hair restoration and skin rejuvenation. The authors conducted a structured review and expert analysis of PubMed publications before October 2023, focusing on recent literature from January 2020 through October 2023. The growing literature supports the utility and benefits of PRP and related autologous products for skin and hair applications, with the strongest evidence for androgenetic alopecia and skin rejuvenation. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding best practices and protocols. The authors call for randomized, controlled trials with uniform metrics comparing outcomes of various compositions of autologous blood products, preparation methods, dosimetry, and frequency of treatments to move beyond expert opinion into consensus, standardization, and more widespread adoption of best practices.

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research Systematic Review of Exosome Treatment in Hair Restoration: Preliminary Evidence, Safety, and Future Directions

1 citations , June 2023 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Exosome treatment for hair growth is promising but not FDA-approved and needs more research on safety and how it works.

research Exosomes: The Latest in Regenerative Aesthetics

3 citations , February 2023 in “Regenerative Medicine”

Exosomes show promise for skin and hair rejuvenation, but more research and regulation are needed before they can be widely used.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma Monotherapies for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Network Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression Study

1 citations , September 2022 in “Journal of Drugs in Dermatology”

research Evaluation of Efficacy of Follicular Unit Extraction Versus Follicular Unit Extraction With Platelet Rich Plasma in Treatment of Cicatricial Alopecia

July 2022 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Adding platelet rich plasma to follicular unit extraction doesn't significantly improve hair graft survival in cicatricial alopecia treatment.

research Exosome Therapy in Hair Regeneration: A Literature Review of the Evidence, Challenges, and Future Opportunities

12 citations , June 2022 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

Exosome therapy could help with hair loss, but more research is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness.

research Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy in Androgenic Alopecia: A Meta-Analysis

7 citations , February 2022 in “Journal of Personalized Medicine”

Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy significantly increases hair density in people with Androgenic Alopecia, and works better with more treatments per month and in younger patients.

research A Study to Assess the Efficacy of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser with Topical Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

2 citations , January 2022 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

Using a carbon dioxide laser and platelet-rich plasma together can effectively restore hair and patients are generally satisfied with the results.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma in Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Appraisal of the Available Clinical Evidence

3 citations , November 2021 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

Platelet-Rich Plasma may improve skin health and reduce wrinkles, but more research is needed for standard treatment guidelines.

research Platelet Rich Plasma Application by Dermapen Microneedling and Intradermal Point-by-Point Injection Methods, and Their Comparison with Clinical Findings and Trichoscan in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

3 citations , October 2021 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

research Inconsistent Platelet-Rich Plasma Product From Devices Cleared by the US FDA: A Retrospective Review of Clinic Data

6 citations , September 2021 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

PRP treatments for hair loss need standard protocols to be reliable.

research Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin: The Newest Biomaterial and Its Use in Various Dermatological Conditions in Our Practice: A Case Series

23 citations , October 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin (I-PRF) showed positive results for treating hair loss, skin texture, wrinkles, and wounds.

research Heterogeneity in Amount of Growth Factors Secreted by Platelets in Platelet-Rich Plasma Samples from Alopecia Patients

8 citations , September 2020 in “Experimental dermatology”

PRP therapy for alopecia shows inconsistent results due to natural variability in growth factor secretion by platelets.

research Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Saline Solution as a Preservation Solution for Hair Transplantation

13 citations , June 2020 in “Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open”

PRP preservation improves hair transplant results better than saline.

research Stromal Vascular Fraction-Enriched Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Reverses the Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia

20 citations , May 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

SVF-PRP therapy effectively reverses hair loss effects.

research Growth Factor Concentrations in Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: An Intra-Subject, Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Pilot Study

13 citations , March 2020 in “Experimental Dermatology”

PRP growth factor concentrations vary, no significant hair growth difference found.

research The Physician's Guide to Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dermatologic Surgery Part II: Clinical Evidence

24 citations , November 2019 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma is most effective for hair loss treatment and wound healing in skin surgery, but more research is needed for consistent results.

research The Physician's Guide to Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dermatologic Surgery Part I: Definitions, Mechanisms of Action, and Technical Specifications

16 citations , November 2019 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma is most effective for hair loss treatment and shows promise for skin healing and rejuvenation, but more standardized research is needed.

research Exosome for Hair Regeneration: From Bench to Bedside

9 citations , October 2019 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Exosomes from stem cells may help treat hair loss.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Literature and Proposed Treatment Protocol

45 citations , February 2019 in “International Journal of Women's Dermatology”

PRP shows promise for hair loss treatment, with three initial monthly injections and maintenance every 3-6 months.

research Evaluating the Efficacy of Different Platelet-Rich Plasma Regimens for Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Single-Center, Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial

46 citations , September 2018 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

PRP injections effectively treat hair loss, with positive results in both monthly and every three months treatments.

research Immunoregulatory Effects of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Exosomes in Mouse Model of Autoimmune Alopecia Areata

45 citations , June 2018 in “Frontiers in immunology”

MDSC-Exo can treat autoimmune alopecia areata and promote hair regrowth in mice.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Tretinoin in Treatment of Striae Distensae: A Comparative Study

22 citations , May 2018 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma injections are more effective and satisfying for treating skin scars than tretinoin cream.

research Controversies in Hair Transplantation

17 citations , January 2018 in “Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery”

The article discusses debates on hair transplant techniques, safe donor areas, PRP use, and practitioner qualifications in hair restoration.

research Adipocyte Lineage Cells Contribute to the Skin Stem Cell Niche to Drive Hair Cycling

499 citations , September 2011 in “Cell”

Fat-related cells are important for initiating hair growth.