Platelet-Rich Plasma Has a Place in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has shown to be a beneficial treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a common problem seen in dermatologic settings. While topical minoxidil and oral finasteride are the only FDA-approved treatments, PRP has been found to be a viable option for patients interested in more natural, alternative therapies. Recent well-designed studies have expanded our understanding of PRP, demonstrating a significant increase in hair count, hair density, and percentage of anagen hairs in the PRP group versus control. Patient selection is important, and protocols vary widely in studies, but a regimen of three to four monthly treatments followed by maintenance treatments every six months has been successful in many patients. However, better data is needed to optimize and predict outcomes, and future investigations should seek to standardize protocols and define clear outcome measures.