Faculty Opinions Recommendation of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Its Utilities in Alopecia: A Systematic Review
October 2021
in “
Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature
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TLDR PRP is mostly effective and safe for treating certain types of hair loss, but more research is needed on the best use methods.
This systematic review examines the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treating hair loss, specifically androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA). The review did not perform a statistical analysis due to the heterogeneity of the studies and variable outcome measures. Despite the small number of patients in the included studies, most showed efficacy of PRP treatment for AGA and AA across various techniques and regimens, suggesting its potential use in real-world practice. All studies consistently demonstrated the safety of PRP. The review suggests that PRP could be an option for AGA/AA patients who are reluctant to use topical/systemic medications or concerned about potential side effects. It could also serve as an additional treatment for AGA/AA patients who have not responded well to standard therapy. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal PRP preparation and treatment schedule.
