PRP for Scarring Alopecia

January 2021

Susie Suh, Natasha Atanaskova Mesinkovska

platelet-rich plasma scarring alopecia androgenetic alopecia alopecia areata hair follicle destruction scar tissue PRP

From the encyclopedia

Platelet-Rich Plasma →

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

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Studysummary More research is needed to confirm PRP's effectiveness for scarring alopecia.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document discussed the potential of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a treatment for scarring alopecia, a condition characterized by irreversible hair follicle destruction and replacement with scar tissue. While PRP had shown efficacy and safety in treating non-scarring alopecia, such as androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, evidence for its benefits in scarring alopecia was limited. The chapter aimed to explore the effectiveness of PRP in treating scarring alopecia by summarizing existing literature and the authors' findings. Despite the promising nature of PRP, the document highlighted the need for more research to establish its clinical benefits for scarring alopecia.

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Research cited in this study

22 / 22 results

research Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

33 citations , July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, PRP increased hair density in areas treated for androgenetic alopecia, but there was no significant difference when compared to placebo-treated areas.

research The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Female Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

18 citations , July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that PRP injections using the Eclipse system significantly improved hair density and caliber in women with androgenetic alopecia compared to saline placebo at 24 weeks.

Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Lichen Planopilaris and Its Variants: A Retrospective Case Series Demonstrating Treatment Tolerability Without Koebnerization

research Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Lichen Planopilaris and Its Variants: A Retrospective Case Series Demonstrating Treatment Tolerability Without Koebnerization

12 citations , June 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article discusses platelet-rich plasma therapy for cicatricial alopecias like lichen planopilaris and reports no confirmed new clinical results; the authors highlight ongoing uncertainty about its effectiveness and potential risks.

research The Utility of Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Alopecia

6 citations , June 2020 in “Journal of Drugs in Dermatology”

This review discusses the use of platelet-rich plasma for treating various types of alopecia, reporting promising preliminary hair regrowth results but noting a lack of quantitative evidence from well-designed clinical trials.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treatment-Resistant Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Case Report

15 citations , August 2019 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This letter details a case report on platelet-rich plasma treatment for a patient with treatment-resistant frontal fibrosing alopecia, but it does not provide new clinical results.

research Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplantation in Combination with Platelet Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Scarring Alopecia: A Case Series

4 citations , January 2019 in “Archives of clinical and medical case reports”

Combining FUE hair transplantation with PRP improves hair density and patient satisfaction in scarring alopecia.

research A Systematic Review of the Outcome of Hair Transplantation in Primary Scarring Alopecia

27 citations , September 2018 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This review suggests that hair transplantation may be a viable treatment option for certain primary scarring alopecias, although findings should be interpreted cautiously due to possible publication bias favoring positive results.

research Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Cicatricial Alopecia

28 citations , August 2018 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This abstract is a listing of affiliations and funding, with no new study or results reported.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Lichen Planopilaris

14 citations , May 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This paper reviews treatments for lichen planopilaris, including low-level laser therapy, but reports no new clinical results and highlights the need for further research.

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.

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

25 citations , July 2017 in “Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery”

This review suggests that PRP injections may be effective in promoting hair regrowth, reducing hair loss, and increasing hair thickness in patients with androgenic alopecia.

research PPAR-γ Agonists and Their Role in Primary Cicatricial Alopecia

38 citations , January 2017 in “PPAR Research”

This review discusses the role of PPAR-γ in the pathogenesis of primary cicatricial alopecia, including its involvement in lichen planopilaris and treatment trials using PPAR-agonists, and reports no new clinical results.

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.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Novel Treatment for Lichen Planopillaris

29 citations , March 2016 in “Dermatologic therapy”

In this study, a patient with lichen planopillaris experienced complete resolution of itching and hair shedding following treatment with a new platelet-rich plasma regimen, marking the first reported success in this context.

research Successful Hair Transplant Outcome in Cicatricial Lichen Planus of the Scalp by Combining Scalp and Beard Hair Along with Platelet Rich Plasma

26 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery”

Hair transplant combining scalp and beard hair with PRP was successful for scarring alopecia.

research Quality of Life and Psychosocial Impact of Scarring and Non-Scarring Alopecia in Women

28 citations , January 2015 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft”

This study found that Greek adult women with scarring alopecia experience more significant psychological burden and quality of life impairment compared to those with non-scarring alopecia.

research Primary Cicatricial Alopecia: Diagnosis and Treatment

48 citations , May 2013 in “Canadian Medical Association Journal”

This article discusses common causes of hair loss, specifically androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, but reports no new clinical findings.

research The Pathogenesis of Primary Cicatricial Alopecias

150 citations , October 2010 in “The American Journal of Pathology”

This review discusses the pathogenesis and challenges in treating primary cicatricial alopecia, highlighting the need to understand immune protection collapse in hair follicle stem cells; it reports no new clinical results.

research Wnt-Dependent De Novo Hair Follicle Regeneration in Adult Mouse Skin After Wounding

829 citations , May 2007 in “Nature”

Hair follicles can regrow in wounded adult mouse skin using a process like embryo development.

research The Role of Platelet Plasma Growth Factors in Male Pattern Baldness Surgery

251 citations , October 2006 in “Plastic and reconstructive surgery/PSEF CD journals”

In this study, platelet plasma growth factors from patients' autologous plasma improved follicular unit yield in baldness surgery by 15.1% compared to control areas.

research The Hair Cycle

375 citations , February 2006 in “Journal of Cell Science”

This article reviews the stages and regulation of the hair cycle, highlighting molecular regulators involved, but it does not present new research findings.

research The Formation of Vellus Hair Follicles from Human Adult Epidermis

73 citations , July 1956 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This paper provides evidence supporting the formation of new hair follicles in adult humans, building on findings previously demonstrated in rabbits.