Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia

August 2014 in “ Dermatologic Surgery ”

Giovanni Schiavone, Desanka Raskovic, Joseph Greco, Damiano Abeni

platelet-rich plasma androgenetic alopecia PRP male pattern baldness female pattern baldness Hamilton Class Ludwig Class AGA

Studysummary 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. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This study investigated the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The study involved 64 patients with male or female pattern baldness, ranging from Hamilton Class 2 to 5 for men and Ludwig Class 1 and 2 for women. The study found that PRP injections led to an improvement in hair thickness in 62 out of 64 patients, with no immediate or delayed adverse effects reported. The overall mean change in clinical rating was 3.2, and the overall proportion of patients reaching a clinically important difference was 40.6% and 54.7%, according to the two evaluators, respectively. The study provides preliminary evidence that PRP may be effective in treating androgenetic alopecia.

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research Health Status, Coping Strategies, and Alexithymia in Subjects with Androgenetic Alopecia

40 citations , February 2013 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This study found that people with androgenic alopecia, particularly women, are more prone to anxiety and depression, often adopting avoidant coping strategies, which are linked to emotional and psychological impacts rather than clinical severity.

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

13 citations , July 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may help promote hair growth and improve graft survival after hair transplantation, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and determine the best dosage.

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 Enhanced Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma Containing a New Carrier on Hair Growth

166 citations , August 2011 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study found that PRP combined with dalteparin and protamine microparticles may enhance hair growth by increasing hair thickness compared to PRP alone.

Bald Scalp in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Retains Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lacks CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells

research Bald Scalp in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Retains Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lacks CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells

235 citations , January 2011 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

This study found that androgenetic alopecia may involve a defect in the conversion of hair follicle stem cells to progenitor cells, as demonstrated by a reduced presence of progenitor cells in bald scalp samples.

research Automated Digital Image Analysis (TrichoScan) for Human Hair Growth Analysis: Ease Versus Errors

21 citations , January 2010 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This study concluded that TrichoScan is error-prone in its current form and overestimates certain hair growth parameters, with results not aligning with clinical severity of alopecia.

research Hair Evaluation Methods: Merits and Demerits

91 citations , January 2009 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This review discusses the advantages and limitations of various hair loss evaluation methods but reports no new results; it emphasizes the importance of cautious interpretation for these diagnostic tools.

research Scratching the Surface of Skin Development

788 citations , February 2007 in “Nature”

This review explores how adult skin epithelia preserve stem cell populations for hair follicle regeneration and wound healing, but reports no new experimental results.

research Critical Study of Hair Growth Analysis with Computer-Assisted Methods

40 citations , April 2006 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study reported that Trichoscan, a computer-assisted hair measurement system, was not supported as accurate for clinical trials due to errors in signal detection, despite its analysis speed.

research Regulation of PDGF and PDGF Receptor in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells and Follicular Keratinocytes of the Human Hair Follicle

55 citations , September 2003 in “Experimental Dermatology”

In this study, researchers found that certain cytokines can significantly down-regulate PDGF expression in dermal papilla cells and follicular keratinocytes, indicating a potential link between PDGF signaling and catagen induction.

research Control of Hair Growth and Follicle Size by VEGF-Mediated Angiogenesis

520 citations , February 2001 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

This study found that VEGF significantly enhances perifollicular vascularization during the hair growth phase, accelerating hair regrowth and increasing follicle and hair size, while its inhibition retards hair growth.

research The Biology of Hair Follicles

1113 citations , August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

This article discusses the biologic and psychosocial significance of hair, the current limitations in hair growth drugs, and anticipates future therapies based on advancing hair follicle research.

research Growth Factor and Growth Factor Receptor Localization in the Hair Follicle Bulge and Associated Tissue in Human Fetus

94 citations , March 1996 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”