Platelet-Rich Plasma: Applications and Efficacy

May 2014 in “ Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ”

Jason K. Rivers

platelet-rich plasma PRP hair growth androgenetic alopecia alopecia areata collagen synthesis fibroblast proliferation skin rejuvenation

TLDR Platelet-rich plasma may help with wound healing, hair growth, and skin rejuvenation, but more research is needed to prove its effectiveness.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous product being investigated for various medical applications, including wound healing, hair growth, and skin rejuvenation. For wound healing, evidence is mixed; a systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 studies showed PRP improved healing over standard care, but a Cochrane review found weak evidence based on few small trials. In hair growth, PRP has shown promise in treating androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, with a study of 45 patients indicating significant hair regrowth and decreased side effects compared to controls. For skin rejuvenation, PRP is thought to promote collagen synthesis and fibroblast proliferation, with small studies showing increased cell proliferation and improved skin elasticity, but robust studies are lacking. Overall, while PRP shows potential, more research is needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.

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