Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenic Alopecia: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study and Combined Mice Model Experiment

March 2021 in “ Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology ”

Qian Qu, Yi Zhou, Panli Shi, Lijuan Du, Zhiqi Hu, Jin Wang, Xin Li, Jian Chen, De-Cong Zhu, Dianxue Cao, Yong Miao

platelet-rich plasma androgenic alopecia hair growth hair density hair cycling PRP

Studysummary In this study, platelet-rich plasma treatment improved hair regrowth and characteristics in mice and showed therapeutic efficacy in Chinese patients with androgenetic alopecia. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

A study from two years ago found that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can be effective in promoting hair growth and increasing hair density in patients with androgenic alopecia. The study involved a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial with 30 participants and a mouse model experiment. The results showed that PRP treatment improved hair growth in human participants and accelerated hair cycling in mice, indicating that PRP may be a promising treatment for androgenic alopecia.

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research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Hair Loss

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research Comparison Between Single- Versus Double-Spin Prepared Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss: Clinical Effect and Relation to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

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Both methods improve hair density and thickness; double-spin may be more effective.

Autologous Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Growth: A Pilot Study in Male Androgenetic Alopecia with In Vitro Bioactivity Investigation

research Autologous Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Growth: A Pilot Study in Male Androgenetic Alopecia with In Vitro Bioactivity Investigation

4 citations , September 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma injections promote hair growth and are safe and effective for treating androgenetic alopecia.

A Randomized Blinded Retrospective Study: The Combined Use of Micro-Needling Technique, Low-Level Laser Therapy, and Autologous Non-Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma Improves Hair Re-Growth in Patients with Androgenic Alopecia

research A Randomized Blinded Retrospective Study: The Combined Use of Micro-Needling Technique, Low-Level Laser Therapy, and Autologous Non-Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma Improves Hair Re-Growth in Patients with Androgenic Alopecia

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This study found that combining micro-needling, low-level laser therapy, and autologous non-activated platelet-rich plasma increased hair density in patients with androgenic alopecia over the treatment period.

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

11 citations , June 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This study suggests that combination therapies including minoxidil with either finasteride, low-level laser light therapy, or microneedling are more effective than minoxidil alone for treating androgenetic alopecia.

Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Adult Stem Cell-Based Therapy

research Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Adult Stem Cell-Based Therapy

65 citations , April 2020 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

This review indicates that most studies reported positive effects of platelet-rich plasma injections for treating androgenic alopecia, with no major side effects, suggesting it may be a safe alternative to Minoxidil and Finasteride.

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44 citations , February 2020 in “Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy”

In this study, autologous non-activated platelet-rich plasma was associated with greater hair re-growth than autologous activated platelet-rich plasma over long-term follow-up.

Impact of Different Preparation Methods to Obtain Autologous Non-Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma and Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma in Plastic Surgery: Wound Healing and Hair Regrowth Evaluation

research Impact of Different Preparation Methods to Obtain Autologous Non-Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma and Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma in Plastic Surgery: Wound Healing and Hair Regrowth Evaluation

58 citations , January 2020 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

This review evaluates various kits for isolating platelet-rich plasma using established processing standards and finds they enable compliance with consensus quality criteria; ongoing research is needed to refine these procedures for improved consistency and safety.

Platelet-Rich Plasma and Micrografts Enriched with Autologous Human Follicle Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Hair Regrowth in Androgenetic Alopecia: Biomolecular Pathway Analysis and Clinical Evaluation

research Platelet-Rich Plasma and Micrografts Enriched with Autologous Human Follicle Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Hair Regrowth in Androgenetic Alopecia: Biomolecular Pathway Analysis and Clinical Evaluation

69 citations , April 2019 in “Biomedicines”

This study found that hair thickness and density increased after treatment with human follicle mesenchymal stem cells and platelet rich plasma, associated with enhanced Wnt signaling and platelet derived growth factors.

research The Mechanism of Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma Supernatant Promotion of Hair Growth by Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells

14 citations , March 2019 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This laboratory study found that activated platelet‐rich plasma supernatant enhanced hair growth signaling pathways in cultured human dermal papilla cells, suggesting potential for treating androgenic alopecia.

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.

research Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Preparation and Composition for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

37 citations , May 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This review analyzed clinical trial protocols for platelet-rich plasma preparation in hair loss treatment, finding inconsistent and insufficient reporting that complicates comparison and efficacy determination.

research Temporal Layering of Signaling Effectors Drives Chromatin Remodeling During Hair Follicle Stem Cell Lineage Progression

85 citations , January 2018 in “Cell stem cell”

This study found that synchronized signals in the microenvironment regulate stem cell lineage choices in hair follicles by influencing chromatin dynamics during regeneration.

research Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Literature

53 citations , June 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This review suggests that platelet-rich plasma may be effective in increasing hair density in patients with androgenetic alopecia, but more research is needed to determine the best treatment protocol.

Evaluation of Non-Activated and Activated PRP in Hair Loss Treatment: Role of Growth Factor and Cytokine Concentrations Obtained by Different Collection Systems

research Evaluation of Non-Activated and Activated PRP in Hair Loss Treatment: Role of Growth Factor and Cytokine Concentrations Obtained by Different Collection Systems

136 citations , February 2017 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

This study observed that autologous platelet-rich plasma treatment improved hair count and density in areas with androgenetic alopecia compared to placebo, with differing outcomes based on the PRP collection device used.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenic Alopecia: Indications, Technique, and Potential Benefits

18 citations , November 2016 in “Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery”

This review discusses platelet-rich plasma for androgenic alopecia and reports beneficial effects on hair density and quality, but suggests more rigorous studies are needed for conclusive evidence.

research A Mechanistic Model of Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia

60 citations , September 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This article proposes a mechanistic model for how platelet-rich plasma therapy may stimulate hair growth in androgenetic alopecia by promoting vascularization and activating specific signaling pathways, but it reports no new experimental results.

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This review discusses the use of platelet-rich plasma for pattern hair loss treatment and examines existing clinical studies without presenting new clinical results.

research The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

214 citations , September 2015 in “Stem Cells Translational Medicine”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma injections significantly increased hair count and density in patients with male pattern hair loss without major side effects, suggesting it may be a safe and effective treatment option.

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54 citations , December 2014 in “Wound Repair and Regeneration”

This study observed that autologous PRP and PDRN injections improved hair thickness and density in women with pattern hair loss, with combined therapy showing greater improvement in thickness than PDRN alone.

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151 citations , May 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This review concluded that oral finasteride for men and topical minoxidil for both genders have the most evidence supporting their effectiveness and safety for treating androgenetic alopecia.

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183 citations , January 2014 in “BioMed Research International”

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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.

Hair Follicle Stem Cell Differentiation Is Inhibited Through Cross-Talk Between Wnt/β-Catenin and Androgen Signaling in Dermal Papilla Cells From Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia

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research Keratinocyte Growth Inhibition Through the Modification of Wnt Signaling by Androgen in Balding Dermal Papilla Cells

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