Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Hair Follicle Count and Hair Ratios in Androgenic Alopecia: Alone or Combined with Other Treatments

July 2025 in “ Journal of Dermatological Treatment ”

Funda Koç Babayiğit, Demet Kartal, Salih Levent Çınar, Murat Borlu

platelet-rich plasma minoxidil androgenic alopecia hair follicle telogen/anagen ratio miniaturized hair terminal hair vellus hair PRP Rogaine AGA

From the encyclopedia

Platelet-Rich Plasma →

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

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This study found that platelet-rich plasma significantly improved hair growth parameters in androgenic alopecia patients and was even more effective when combined with minoxidil, particularly in reducing vellus hair. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This study on 45 patients with androgenic alopecia (AGA) assessed the effects of 5% minoxidil, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and their combination on hair growth. Results indicated that PRP, particularly when combined with minoxidil, significantly improved hair count, density, terminal hair count, and anagen ratio, while reducing vellus hair count and density. Despite these improvements, patient-reported outcomes did not significantly differ among the treatment groups. The study suggests PRP's potential in enhancing hair growth parameters in AGA, with combination therapy showing the best results, but emphasizes the need for further large-scale, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies due to limitations such as its retrospective design, small sample size, and lack of long-term follow-up.

View this study on tandfonline.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

27 / 27 results

research Immune and Non-Immune Interactions in the Pathogenesis of Androgenetic Alopecia

March 2025 in “Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology”

The Additive Value of Platelet-Rich Plasma to Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

research The Additive Value of Platelet-Rich Plasma to Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

August 2024 in “PLoS ONE”

This study reviewed randomized controlled trials to assess whether adding platelet-rich plasma injections to a Minoxidil regimen offers any benefit in treating androgenetic alopecia, but results are not reported in the abstract.

research Management of Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review of the Literature

May 2024 in “Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy”

This systematic review concluded that various treatments, such as topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, and hair transplantation, effectively promote hair growth in androgenic alopecia, emphasizing the benefits of a personalized, multifaceted treatment approach.

research Emerging and Traditional 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors and Androgen Receptor Antagonists for Male Androgenetic Alopecia

April 2024 in “Expert opinion on emerging drugs”

In this research review, the authors note that while topical minoxidil and oral finasteride are FDA-approved treatments for male androgenetic alopecia, some patients experience inadequate responses or side effects, prompting exploration of alternative therapies like newer 5-α reductase inhibitors and androgen receptor antagonists.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review

April 2024 in “Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal”

This review summarizes existing knowledge on androgenetic alopecia, including its epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management, but presents no new research findings.

research The Biology and Genomics of Human Hair Follicles: A Focus on Androgenetic Alopecia

February 2024 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

This review outlines the functional anatomy, pathology, and molecular mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia, emphasizing the need for multi-omics approaches to better understand this condition's biology.

research The Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

January 2024 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This systematic review found that platelet-rich plasma may increase hair density and count in male androgenetic alopecia, though limitations in study quality and consistency suggest further research is needed.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update

July 2023 in “JAAD International”

This study describes androgenetic alopecia as a common non-scarring hair loss condition primarily influenced by genetic factors and androgen sensitivity, notably impacting psychosocial well-being, especially in females and younger males seeking treatment.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Therapy Update

May 2023 in “Drugs”

This comprehensive review analyzes androgenetic alopecia treatments, discussing the mechanisms, costs, efficacy, and safety of FDA-approved drugs like minoxidil and finasteride, as well as newer non-FDA-approved options that have shown effectiveness across various studies.

research Platelet Rich Plasma and Its Use in Hair Regrowth: A Review

18 citations , March 2022 in “Drug design, development and therapy”

This review examines the definition, classification, mechanism, clinical efficacy for hair regrowth, and potential adverse effects of platelet rich plasma, but does not present new experimental results.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Gender Minority Patients

8 citations , November 2019 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This study highlights the importance of clinicians understanding the effects of gender-affirming hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and antiandrogens on hair growth, to effectively diagnose and treat androgenetic alopecia in gender minority patients.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treating Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

27 citations , June 2019 in “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery”

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment may increase hair growth for genetic hair loss, but more research is needed to confirm this.

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.

research A Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma: History, Biology, Mechanism of Action, and Classification

348 citations , July 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This review discusses the use of platelet-rich plasma in dermatology for various applications such as tissue regeneration and wound healing, but it reports no new clinical results and calls for clearer guidance on suitable treatments.

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.

research The Effectiveness of Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

178 citations , April 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy significantly improve hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia, while minoxidil is also effective for women, compared to placebo.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review

153 citations , March 2017 in “Endocrine”

This review examines recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia, highlighting two major genetic risk loci, but does not report new clinical findings.

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 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.

Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Half-Head Study to Assess the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Half-Head Study to Assess the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

136 citations , April 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma significantly increased hair density and anagen hair proportions in androgenetic alopecia patients, suggesting potential as an adjuvant therapy.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia

107 citations , August 2014 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This pilot study suggests injecting platelet-derived growth factors into the scalp may offer some clinical benefits for androgenetic alopecia, though further randomized trials are needed for confirmation.

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 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 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.

research The 5 Alpha-Reductase Isozyme Family: A Review of Basic Biology and Their Role in Human Diseases

218 citations , December 2011 in “Advances in Urology”

This review discusses the biochemical properties and clinical significance of 5 alpha-reductase isozymes and reports no new clinical results.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Men and Women

77 citations , March 2001 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

This article discusses treatment approaches for female pattern hair loss and concludes that available medical treatments are effective in reversing or stabilizing the condition in most cases of mild-to-moderate severity.

research Incidence of Female Androgenetic Alopecia (Female Pattern Alopecia)

6 citations , January 2001 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study observed that female androgenetic alopecia is common among Caucasian women, starting in the late 20s and peaking after age 50.