Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

May 2018 in “ Journal of the Egyptian Womenʼs Dermatologic Society ”

Hassan E. Fayed, Moustafa A. Elsaied, Marwa R. Faraj

platelet-rich plasma alopecia areata PRP hair regrowth saline placebo scalp treatment efficacy safety quality of life side effects

TLDR Platelet-Rich Plasma treatment helps hair regrowth in people with mild Alopecia Areata, improving their quality of life with minimal side effects.

In 2018, a study was conducted on 41 patients suffering from multiple patchy Alopecia Areata (AA) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment. PRP was injected into one side of the scalp, while saline was injected into the other side as a control. The results showed that hair regrowth occurred in 13 (31.7%) patients in the areas injected with PRP, compared to only two (4.9%) patients in the placebo areas, a statistically significant difference (P=0.002). The treatment was most effective in mild cases of AA, with 12 out of 23 (52.3%) patients showing improvement, while only one out of seven (14.3%) with a more severe grade showed hair regrowth. No response was observed in the most severe cases. The study concluded that PRP treatment for AA is effective, safe, and improves the patients' quality of life, with minimal side effects. However, further studies were recommended to determine the precise dosing and frequency of sessions needed.

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Research cited in this study

14 / 14 results

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Key treatments for hair preservation include minoxidil, finasteride/dutasteride, and microneedling, with additional options like specific shampoos, oils, biotin, zinc, tretinoin, clascoterone, and low-level laser therapy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reducing stress, and addressing nutrient deficiencies can also support hair health.

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Potential treatments for hair loss, including Minoxidil, finasteride, RU58841 and various upcoming pharmaceuticals, gene editing and cloning. It is suggested that a cure, if found, would be highly profitable due to the large number of people affected by hair loss globally.

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