Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

June 2018 in “ Facial Plastic Surgery ”

Jenny X. Chen, Natalie Justicz, Linda Lee

platelet-rich plasma androgenic alopecia hair count hair density transient edema erythema pain headache PRP AGA

TLDR Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a low-risk treatment for Androgenic Alopecia (AGA) that generally improves hair count or density, but more research is needed for optimization.

In 2018, a systematic review of 24 studies, involving 471 patients, examined the use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for treating Androgenic Alopecia (AGA). The review found that 21 studies reported positive results, with improvements in hair count or hair density. However, three studies reported no significant clinical improvement. The treatment was generally well-tolerated, with only minor side effects like transient edema/erythema and pain/headache. The review concluded that PRP is a low-risk intervention for AGA, with good patient satisfaction and objective improvements. However, it also highlighted the need for further research to optimize preparation and delivery methods, standardize outcome measurements, and understand long-term effects and potential gender differences.

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research Platelet-Rich Plasma with Microneedling in Androgenetic Alopecia Along with Dermoscopic Pre- and Post-Treatment Evaluation

36 citations , June 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

PRP with microneedling effectively treats hair loss, and dermoscopy helps evaluate results.

research The Effect of Autologous Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection on Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study

52 citations , February 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

PRP injections improve hair density and thickness in women with hair loss.

research The Effect of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors on Pattern Hair Loss: A Pilot Study

70 citations , May 2017 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Treatment with plasma rich in growth factors improved hair density and thickness for hair loss patients.

research A Split Head Study of Efficacy of Placebo Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

33 citations , April 2017 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma injections can effectively treat male pattern hair loss, improving hair density and quality with high patient satisfaction.

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”

PRP treatment improves hair growth, and the device used can affect results, with some being more effective.

research Meta-Analysis of Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

57 citations , January 2017 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

PRP therapy may effectively treat hair loss, but more research needed.

research The Therapeutic Response of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia Showed No Correlation with Growth Factors and Platelet Number

3 citations , December 2016 in “Blood”

PRP treatment can increase hair growth in male pattern baldness, but this effect is not linked to the levels of growth factors or the number of platelets.

research Perception of Hair Transplant for Androgenetic Alopecia

24 citations , December 2016 in “JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery”

Hair transplants make people look more attractive, successful, approachable, and younger.

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

60 citations , December 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

PRP treatment may stimulate hair growth by promoting blood vessel formation, increasing growth factors, and preventing cell death.

research Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study on the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Women With Female Androgenetic Alopecia

87 citations , November 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

PRP shows potential for treating female hair loss, but more research needed.

research Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic (Male-Patterned) Alopecia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

61 citations , October 2016 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was found not effective in treating male-patterned hair loss.

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”

PRP treatment helps hair growth and density in androgenetic alopecia patients.

research Combined Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma with Microneedling Versus Microneedling with Distilled Water in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars: A Concurrent Split-Face Study

106 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Using platelet-rich plasma with microneedling works better for acne scars than microneedling with water.

research Efficacy of Activated 3X Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

3 citations , January 2016 in “PubMed”

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a cheap and promising treatment for hair loss, improving hair count, thickness, and strength without major side effects.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma Microneedling Versus 5% Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Patterned Hair Loss

13 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of the Egyptian Women's Dermatologic Society (Print)”

Minoxidil works faster and is more cost-effective for treating hair loss, but platelet-rich plasma microneedling can be an alternative for those who can't use minoxidil.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma Growth Factor Concentrated Spray (Keratogrow®) as a Potential Treatment for Androgenic Alopecia

1 citations , January 2016 in “PubMed”

Keratogrow®, a spray made from patients' own blood, was found to increase hair growth and density when used twice daily for three months.

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

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

Platelet-rich plasma injections significantly improved hair regrowth and thickness in patients with hair loss.

research Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

74 citations , July 2015 in “Asian Journal of Transfusion Science”

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can effectively increase hair density and thickness in people with androgenic alopecia, without major side effects.

research Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Treatment for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Study of 14 Cases

4 citations , June 2015 in “Journal of clinical & experimental dermatology research”

PRP injections may slightly improve hair density and count for male hair loss, but more research is needed.

research Platelet Preparations for Use in Facial Rejuvenation and Wound Healing: A Critical Review of Current Literature

66 citations , June 2015 in “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery”

Platelet preparations generally show positive effects on wound healing and facial rejuvenation, but more thorough research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

research Study of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia Through a One-Year Period

164 citations , October 2014 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

PRP injections increase hair density and satisfaction in androgenetic alopecia patients.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia

107 citations , September 2014 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

PRP injections improve hair thickness for baldness.

research Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix for Androgenetic Alopecia

25 citations , April 2014 in “Facial Plastic Surgery”

PRFM may help treat hair loss, especially in mild cases.

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”

AA-PRP injections effectively increase hair count and thickness for male pattern hair loss.

research The Effect of CD34+ Cell-Containing Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection on Pattern Hair Loss: A Preliminary Study

88 citations , January 2014 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Injecting CD34+ cell-containing platelet-rich plasma into the scalp can improve hair count and thickness in people with pattern hair loss.