Platelet-Rich Plasma: Applications in Cosmetic Medicine and Surgery

June 2018 in “ Advances in Cosmetic Surgery ”

Brian L. Chang, Jacob Beer, Ivona Percec

platelet-rich plasma PRP growth factors hair growth skin rejuvenation hair follicular unit density hair volume hair density

TLDR PRP might help with hair growth and skin rejuvenation, but more research is needed to prove its effectiveness.

The document from June 1, 2018, provides an overview of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and its applications in cosmetic medicine and surgery, including its potential for promoting hair growth and skin rejuvenation. It highlights the presence of growth factors in PRP that can stimulate hair growth, referencing studies such as Uebel et al. (2006) and Alves and Grimalt (2013), which showed positive effects on hair follicular unit density and hair volume and density, respectively. However, the evidence is inconsistent, and there is a lack of standardization in PRP preparation. For skin rejuvenation, while animal studies have shown positive effects, clinical evidence in humans is mixed, with some studies reporting improvements and others showing no significant difference. The document concludes that more rigorous studies are needed to confirm PRP's effectiveness in these applications due to variability in preparation protocols and a lack of high-quality evidence.

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

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PRP injections help regrow hair, reduce hair loss, and increase hair thickness, but effects decrease without ongoing treatment.

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

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25 citations, March 2017 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

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

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research A Comparative Study of Microneedling with Platelet-Rich Plasma Plus Topical Minoxidil (5%) and Topical Minoxidil (5%) Alone in Androgenetic Alopecia

48 citations, January 2017 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Microneedling with platelet-rich plasma and minoxidil improves hair growth more than just minoxidil in men with hair loss.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Minoxidil 5% in Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Trichoscopic Evaluation

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PRP more effective than minoxidil 5% for treating alopecia areata.

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60 citations, September 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

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

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87 citations, September 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

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

Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Half-Head Study to Assess the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Half-Head Study to Assess the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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research Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Potential Treatment for Noncicatricial Alopecias

58 citations, January 2015 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Platelet-rich plasma, which carries growth factors, could be a promising treatment for non-scarring hair loss, promoting hair growth and density with no major side effects.

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

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Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a cheap and easy treatment for hair loss, but not suitable for everyone. It also helps in healing ulcers, rejuvenating skin, and improving hair transplants.

Combination of Herbal Extracts and Platelet-Rich Plasma Induced Dermal Papilla Cell Proliferation: Involvement of ERK and Akt Pathways

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39 citations, June 2013 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Herbal extracts and platelet-rich plasma together may help increase hair growth by making certain cells grow more, through specific cell growth pathways.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Half-Head Study to Evaluate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Alopecia Areata

research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Half-Head Study to Evaluate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Alopecia Areata

205 citations, April 2013 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Platelet-rich plasma treatment significantly increased hair regrowth and decreased discomfort in alopecia patients, making it a potentially better and safer treatment option.

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

88 citations, December 2012 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.

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58 citations, September 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Male pattern hair loss caused by follicular miniaturization; early diagnosis and treatment can reduce psychological burden.

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270 citations, March 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma can potentially promote hair growth by stimulating cell growth and increasing certain proteins.

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166 citations, September 2011 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma with a new carrier significantly increases hair thickness without serious side effects.

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Using platelet plasma growth factors in baldness surgery can increase the number of hair follicles.

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57 citations, November 1998 in “Wound Repair and Regeneration”

Hair papilla cells can create and regenerate hair bulbs under the right conditions.

research Minoxidil Upregulates the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

192 citations, March 1998 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts growth factor in hair cells, potentially promoting hair growth.

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173 citations, July 1995 in “Biochemical and biophysical research communications”

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