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

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

Frederic Picard, Barbara Hersant, Jeremy Niddam, Jean-Paul Meningaud

platelet-rich plasma androgenic alopecia hair regrowth hair loss hair thickness hair density PRP

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

In 2017, a systematic review of 14 clinical trials was conducted on the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for treating androgenic alopecia. The review found that PRP injections were effective in promoting hair regrowth, decreasing hair loss, and increasing hair thickness. Seven studies reported a significant increase in hair density between 12.3 and 45.9 hairs/cm², and two studies reported an increase in hair thickness. The effects peaked after 3 to 5 injection sessions and decreased without further injections, suggesting the need for ongoing treatment. No major adverse effects were reported. However, two studies indicated that the effects were transient, with hair density decreasing 4 months after the last session.

View this study on sciencedirect.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

34 / 34 results

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

62 citations, October 2016 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

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

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

87 citations, September 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, September 2016 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

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

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

57 citations, May 2016 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

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

136 citations, April 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

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

research Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Comparative Clinical Study Between Plasma Rich in Growth Factors and Topical Minoxidil

8 citations, January 2016 in “European Journal of Plastic Surgery”

PRGF treatment is safer and more effective for hair loss than topical minoxidil.

research The Success of Thread-Embedding Therapy in Generating Hair Regrowth in Mice Points to Its Possible Effect in Humans

20 citations, December 2015 in “Journal of Pharmacopuncture”

Thread-embedding therapy helped hair grow back in mice and might do the same in humans.

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 Plasma Rich in Growth Factors for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

7 citations, June 2015 in “European Journal of Plastic Surgery”

PRGF treatment safely and effectively helps hair loss.

research Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Chronic Alopecia Areata: Our Centre Experience

61 citations, January 2015 in “Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma treatment could potentially be an effective way to treat chronic alopecia areata with minimal side effects.

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.

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

74 citations, January 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 Therapeutic Efficacy of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma and Polydeoxyribonucleotide on Female Pattern Hair Loss

54 citations, December 2014 in “Wound Repair and Regeneration”

PRP injections may improve hair thickness and density in female hair loss patients.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia

107 citations, August 2014 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

PRP injections improve hair thickness for baldness.

research Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix for Androgenetic Alopecia

25 citations, May 2014 in “Facial Plastic Surgery”

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

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

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

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

research Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenic Alopecia: Myth or Effective Tool

115 citations, January 2014 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

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.

research Promotional Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Hair Follicle Reconstitution In Vivo

63 citations, October 2013 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) increases the number of new hair follicles and speeds up hair formation.

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

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

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 Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Is Effective and Safe for the Treatment of Alopecia

45 citations, March 2013 in “European Journal of Plastic Surgery”

Injecting platelet-rich plasma is a safe and effective way to treat hair loss.

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.

research Letter: Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treating Male Pattern Baldness

36 citations, December 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Injecting platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can increase hair growth rate and density in male pattern baldness.

research Commentary on Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Potential Therapeutic Tool for Promoting Hair Growth

13 citations, July 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may help promote hair growth and improve graft survival after hair transplantation, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and determine the best dosage.

research Live Imaging of Stem Cell and Progeny Behavior in Physiological Hair-Follicle Regeneration

305 citations, June 2012 in “Nature”

Hair regeneration needs dynamic cell behavior and mesenchyme presence for stem cell activation.

research Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Potential Therapeutic Tool for Promoting Hair Growth

270 citations, March 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

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

research Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia

10 citations, January 2012 in “International Journal of Trichology”

PRP helps hair growth in common hair loss disorder.

research Enhanced Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma Containing a New Carrier on Hair Growth

166 citations, September 2011 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

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

research Epidermal Stem Cell Diversity and Quiescence

168 citations, August 2009 in “EMBO molecular medicine”

Epidermal stem cells are diverse and vary in activity, playing key roles in skin maintenance and repair.

research Hair Evaluation Methods: Merits and Demerits

91 citations, January 2009 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Different hair evaluation methods have their own pros and cons, and using multiple methods together is best for accurate hair loss diagnosis and tracking.

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”

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

research Trichoscan: What Is New?

33 citations, January 2005 in “Dermatology”

Trichoscan is a reliable method for measuring hair growth and monitoring treatment effectiveness in hair loss.

research Morphogenesis and Renewal of Hair Follicles from Adult Multipotent Stem Cells

949 citations, January 2001 in “Cell”

Adult mouse skin contains stem cells that can create new hair, skin, and oil glands.

research Androgen Metabolism as It Affects Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

143 citations, October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Too much androgen can cause hair loss; finasteride may help.

Related Research

6 / 6 results

research Baricitinib Results in Eyebrow and Eyelash Growth in Patients With Alopecia Areata Who Do Not Achieve 20% or Less Scalp Hair Loss

1 citations, September 2022 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Baricitinib helps grow eyebrows and eyelashes in severe alopecia areata patients.

research Sisaipho Alopecia Areata Treated With Tofacitinib and Oral Minoxidil

1 citations, August 2022 in “JAAD case reports”

Tofacitinib and oral minoxidil may help treat Sisaipho alopecia areata.

research Hair Disorders

August 2018 in “Oxford University Press eBooks”

The document's conclusion cannot be provided because the document cannot be parsed.

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

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

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

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

74 citations, January 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 Disorders of Hair

July 2013 in “DeckerMed Medicine”

The document's conclusion cannot be provided because the document is not readable or understandable.