Patient Satisfaction and Clinical Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Pattern Hair Loss in Male and Female Patients

September 2022 in “ Cureus ”

Samuel P Hetz, Jennifer H. Martin, Hanno Pototschnig

platelet-rich plasma pattern hair loss hair density new hair growth hair loss PRP

Studysummary This study found that platelet-rich plasma treatment for male and female pattern hair loss resulted in high patient satisfaction and clinical improvement, with patients likely to recommend the treatment to others. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study on 56 patients (57% male, 43% female) over 12 months found that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a safe and effective treatment for pattern hair loss, with high patient satisfaction (average score 7.29/10) and clinician satisfaction (average score 6.46/10). Patients reported improvements in hair density (64%), new hair growth (57%), and less hair loss (48%), while clinicians observed new hair growth in 68% of cases. No adverse effects were reported, supporting PRP as a valuable option for hair loss treatment, though further randomized controlled studies are recommended.

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Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research A Comparative Study of Efficacy of 5% Minoxidil and 5% Minoxidil Plus Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Same Patient for Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

1 citations , January 2022 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

This study found that adding platelet-rich plasma to 5% minoxidil treatment improved hair growth outcomes in patients with androgenetic alopecia compared to minoxidil alone.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma in Female Androgenic Alopecia: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

7 citations , May 2021 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology”

This review highlights platelet-rich plasma as a promising nonsurgical treatment for female pattern hair loss, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Comparative Study of Efficacy of Minoxidil Versus Minoxidil with Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Minoxidil with Dermaroller in Androgenetic Alopecia

2 citations , February 2021 in “International Journal of Research in Dermatology”

The researchers reported that combining platelet-rich plasma with minoxidil showed the most improvement in androgenetic alopecia compared to other treatment groups, but also had more pain as a side effect.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Therapy for Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

15 citations , May 2020 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that platelet-rich plasma treatments improved hair density and thickness in people with androgenetic alopecia, without serious adverse effects.

Efficacy of Non-Surgical Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia in Men and Women: A Systematic Review with Network Meta-Analyses and an Assessment of Evidence Quality

research Efficacy of Non-Surgical Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia in Men and Women: A Systematic Review with Network Meta-Analyses and an Assessment of Evidence Quality

15 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This study suggests platelet-rich plasma may be more effective than other non-surgical treatments for male androgenetic alopecia, while low-level laser therapy ranks highest for women; however, the evidence quality was low.

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

23 citations , June 2018 in “Facial Plastic Surgery”

This review suggests that platelet-rich plasma is a low-risk treatment for androgenic alopecia with good patient satisfaction and positive objective outcomes, but further research is needed to refine methods and standardize outcome measurements.

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

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

46 citations , May 2018 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

In this study, subdermal platelet-rich plasma injections significantly increased hair count and shaft caliber in individuals with androgenetic alopecia, with monthly treatments potentially offering greater benefits.

Platelet-Rich Plasma in Combination With 5% Minoxidil Topical Solution and 1 mg Oral Finasteride for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Half-Head Study

research Platelet-Rich Plasma in Combination With 5% Minoxidil Topical Solution and 1 mg Oral Finasteride for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Half-Head Study

19 citations , May 2017 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Combining platelet-rich plasma with 5% minoxidil solution improves hair regrowth in androgenetic alopecia patients.

The Effect of Autologous Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection on Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study

research The Effect of Autologous Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection on Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study

52 citations , May 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma injections significantly improved hair density, thickness, and patient satisfaction in women with female pattern hair loss compared to a placebo.

A Comparative Study of Microneedling with Platelet-Rich Plasma Plus Topical Minoxidil (5%) and Topical Minoxidil (5%) Alone in Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Comparative Study of Microneedling with Platelet-Rich Plasma Plus Topical Minoxidil (5%) and Topical Minoxidil (5%) Alone in Androgenetic Alopecia

48 citations , January 2017 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This study found that combining microneedling with PRP and topical minoxidil (5%) significantly improved hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia compared to using minoxidil alone.

research Adverse Effects and Safety of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors (Finasteride, Dutasteride): A Systematic Review

32 citations , July 2016 in “PubMed”

This review discusses the adverse events associated with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, finding them generally well-tolerated but noting potential risks like sexual side effects and psychological effects in men, and sparse data on use in women.

research A Comparative Study of Treatment Modalities in Female Androgenetic Alopecia

3 citations , January 2016 in “International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences”

This study found that combination therapy using 2% minoxidil and PRP is more effective for hair growth in women with androgenetic alopecia than using minoxidil alone.

research Androgenetic Alopecia

18 citations , February 2014 in “PubMed”

This article reviews current diagnostic and treatment approaches for androgenetic alopecia but reports no new results, focusing on its progression and medical management options.

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.

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for Treatment of Hair Loss

165 citations , August 2013 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This review discusses the potential mechanisms and evidence supporting low-level laser therapy for stimulating hair growth in men and women, while noting its safety and effectiveness but needing further study on specific parameters.

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

270 citations , March 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study found that autologous platelet-rich plasma increased hair growth potential by enhancing dermal papilla cell proliferation and stimulating key signaling pathways in both cell cultures and mice models.