Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Lichen Planopilaris and Its Variants: A Retrospective Case Series Demonstrating Treatment Tolerability Without Koebnerization
June 2020
in “
Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology
”
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Studysummary 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.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
In a retrospective case series from NYU Langone Health, the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was evaluated in 10 patients with lichen planopilaris (LPP) and its variants, including frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) and fibrosing alopecia of a pattern distribution (FAPD). The patients, predominantly female with an average age of 57.4 years, underwent an average of four PRP treatments. Results showed that 4 patients experienced improvement, 3 had no change, 1 had disease progression, and 2 had indeterminate outcomes. Seven patients stopped PRP due to minimal improvement and personal preference. The study concluded that PRP is tolerable and does not cause koebnerization in LPP and its variants, and it may be considered for patients with concomitant androgenetic alopecia (AGA). However, the small sample size and concurrent use of multiple therapies limit the conclusions about PRP's specific effects, highlighting the need for more research.
