Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Accelerated Androgenetic Alopecia Pattern Hair Loss After COVID-19 Infection: A Case Series

December 2021 in “ Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology ”

Akif İşlek, Engin Karaaslan, Selçuk Şimşek, Funda Merve Çetin

platelet-rich plasma androgenetic alopecia hair pull test hair growth questionnaire COVID-19 PRP injections PRP AGA HPT HGQ

Studysummary This study observed that COVID-19 is associated with accelerated androgenetic alopecia, and platelet-rich plasma treatment showed improvement in hair loss after infection.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This study examined the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for accelerated androgenetic alopecia (AGA) pattern hair loss following COVID-19 infection. Nine patients, confirmed to have had COVID-19, underwent four sessions of PRP injections. Results showed a significant decrease in hair loss, with the hair pull test (HPT) score dropping from 6.0 ± 1.6 after the first PRP session to 1.2 ± 0.8 after the final session. Additionally, 55.5% of patients rated the treatment as "very effective" in the hair growth questionnaire (HGQ). The study concludes that PRP treatment is a satisfactory solution for long-term accelerated hair loss associated with COVID-19.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

21 / 21 results

research Comment on 'Androgenetic Alopecia Present in the Majority of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19'

4 citations , August 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review critiques a study on androgenetic alopecia in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, highlighting analytical inaccuracies and suggesting that the condition's prevalence may relate to older age rather than COVID-19 infection.

research Androgenetic Alopecia Present in the Majority of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: The 'Gabrin Sign'

119 citations , May 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study observed a high prevalence of androgenetic alopecia in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19, with 79% of men and 42% of women affected, suggesting a potential link between androgen sensitivity and COVID-19 severity.

research Cutaneous Signs in COVID-19 Patients: A Review

176 citations , May 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This review discusses the cutaneous symptoms associated with COVID-19 and their potential use in diagnosing and assessing the severity of the disease, but it reports no new clinical results.

A Preliminary Observation: Male Pattern Hair Loss Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Spain – A Potential Clue to the Role of Androgens in COVID-19 Severity

research A Preliminary Observation: Male Pattern Hair Loss Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Spain – A Potential Clue to the Role of Androgens in COVID-19 Severity

134 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Male pattern hair loss could hint at androgens affecting COVID-19 severity.

research What Does Androgenetic Alopecia Have to Do with COVID-19? An Insight into a Potential New Therapy

47 citations , April 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This letter discusses the potential connection between androgenetic alopecia and COVID-19, suggesting a possible new therapy, but it reports no new results.

research Autologous Cellular Method Using Micrografts of Human Adipose Tissue Derived Follicle Stem Cells in Androgenic Alopecia

88 citations , July 2019 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

In this study of patients with Androgenic Alopecia, micro-grafts containing HD-AFSCs resulted in significantly improved hair density and follicle count over 11 months compared to a saline solution, suggesting a potential alternative therapy for hair regrowth.

Advances in Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy in Androgenic Alopecia and Hair Loss: Wnt Pathway, Growth Factor, and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Signaling Impact Analysis on Cell Growth and Hair Follicle Development

research Advances in Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy in Androgenic Alopecia and Hair Loss: Wnt Pathway, Growth Factor, and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Signaling Impact Analysis on Cell Growth and Hair Follicle Development

136 citations , May 2019 in “Cells”

This review discusses the advancements in intraoperative stem cell therapies and highlights their potential to improve hair regrowth, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia

39 citations , March 2019 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study's meta-analysis reported that PRP injections significantly increased hair density compared to baseline and placebo in androgenetic alopecia patients, supporting its use as a beneficial treatment.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenic Alopecia Treatment: A Comprehensive Review

16 citations , January 2018 in “Dermatology Online Journal”

This review discusses platelet-rich plasma treatment for androgenic alopecia, summarizing current understanding of the disease and the need for standardized clinical trials, but it reports no new results.

Stem Cells from Human Hair Follicles: First Mechanical Isolation for Immediate Autologous Clinical Use in Androgenetic Alopecia and Hair Loss

research Stem Cells from Human Hair Follicles: First Mechanical Isolation for Immediate Autologous Clinical Use in Androgenetic Alopecia and Hair Loss

86 citations , June 2017 in “Stem cell investigation”

This study reported that using human follicle stem cells isolated from hair bulge areas increased hair density by about 29% over baseline in patients with androgenetic alopecia, with significant improvements observed 23 weeks after the last treatment.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: Does It Work? Evidence from Meta-Analysis

64 citations , March 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This meta-analysis suggests that local injection of platelet-rich plasma for androgenic alopecia is associated with an increased number of hairs and some increase in hair thickness, though larger studies are needed for confirmation.

Evaluation of Non-Activated and Activated PRP in Hair Loss Treatment: Role of Growth Factor and Cytokine Concentrations Obtained by Different Collection Systems

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”

This study observed that autologous platelet-rich plasma treatment improved hair count and density in areas with androgenetic alopecia compared to placebo, with differing outcomes based on the PRP collection device used.

research Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Pattern Hair Loss

42 citations , May 2016 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This review discusses the use of platelet-rich plasma for pattern hair loss treatment and examines existing clinical studies without presenting new clinical results.

research Classifications of Patterned Hair Loss: A Review

101 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

This review discusses various classification systems for patterned hair loss in both sexes and reports no new clinical findings, highlighting the Hamilton-Norwood and Ludwig systems as the most commonly used.

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

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

This study found that platelet-rich plasma injections significantly increased hair count and density in patients with male pattern hair loss without major side effects, suggesting it may be a safe and effective treatment option.

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”

This study reported that AA-PRP injections significantly increased hair count and density in individuals with pattern hair loss compared to baseline, demonstrating their potential for enhancing hair growth.

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for Treatment of Hair Loss

165 citations , August 2013 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This review discusses the potential mechanisms and evidence supporting low-level laser therapy for stimulating hair growth in men and women, while noting its safety and effectiveness but needing further study on specific parameters.

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”

In this study, platelet-rich plasma significantly increased hair regrowth and reduced symptoms of alopecia areata compared to triamcinolone acetonide or placebo, with no observed side effects.

research Maintenance of High Proliferation and Multipotent Potential of Human Hair Follicle-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Growth Factors

56 citations , February 2013 in “International Journal of Molecular Medicine”

This study found that human hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells maintained their proliferation and differentiation potential when cultured with acidic fibroblast growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, or epidermal growth factor.

research The Presence of Trichodynia in Patients With Telogen Effluvium and Androgenetic Alopecia

46 citations , September 2003 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that trichodynia is common among patients with telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia, and it often coexists with psychological issues like depression and anxiety.

research A Hair Growth Questionnaire for Use in the Evaluation of Therapeutic Effects in Men

36 citations , January 1998 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This study developed a standardized questionnaire to measure patient-perceived changes in hair growth and appearance, which showed significant favoring of active treatment over placebo in a clinical trial for male androgenetic alopecia.