Comparison of the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma With Topical Minoxidil in Treating Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

July 2025 in “ Skin Health and Disease ”

Areesha Abid, Faizan Fazal, Haris Mumtaz, Hafsa Arshad Azam Raja, Bilal Haider Malik

platelet-rich plasma topical minoxidil androgenetic alopecia hair density terminal hair count anagen hair proportion scalp irritation PRP minoxidil Rogaine

TLDR PRP is a good alternative or addition to minoxidil for treating hair loss.

This systematic review analyzed six clinical trials involving 322 patients to compare the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and topical minoxidil (TM) in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The findings suggest that PRP is nearly as effective as TM, with PRP showing superior results in hair density and patient satisfaction, while TM excels in increasing terminal hair count and anagen hair proportion. Combining PRP with TM yields better results than using either treatment alone. Both treatments demonstrated statistically significant improvements with minimal adverse effects, such as mild headaches and scalp irritation. The review concludes that PRP is a valuable alternative or adjunct treatment for AGA, though further standardized studies are needed.

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research Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus 5% Topical Minoxidil for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

January 2024 in “JCPSP. Journal of the College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan”

PRP therapy is more effective than minoxidil for treating hair loss from androgenetic alopecia.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Vs Minoxidil in Men with Androgenic Alopecia: Systematic Review

December 2023 in “International Journal of Social health”

PRP therapy is effective for treating male pattern baldness.

A Randomized Control Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma and 5% Topical Minoxidil for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized Control Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma and 5% Topical Minoxidil for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

September 2023 in “PubMed”

Platelet-rich plasma therapy works better than minoxidil for hair loss treatment in the tested group.

research Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia: A Meta-Analysis

August 2023 in “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma therapy helps increase hair density in male patients with hair loss but doesn't change hair thickness.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update

July 2023 in “JAAD International”

Two drugs, finasteride and minoxidil, are approved for hair loss treatment, but new therapies are being developed.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenetic Alopecia: Is It Really Worth the Hype?

May 2023 in “International Journal of Trichology”

PRP therapy for hair loss is safe but its effectiveness is doubtful.

research Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Males With Androgenetic Alopecia

March 2023 in “Cureus”

PRP treatment mildly to moderately improves hair loss in most men with AGA.

research Efficacy of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Versus Topical Minoxidil in Men With Moderate Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Open-Label Trial

February 2023 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Minoxidil and PRP both help with hair growth, but Minoxidil has higher satisfaction and fewer side effects.

research The Psychological Consequences of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

1 citations, April 2022 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Androgenetic alopecia causes significant psychological distress, especially in women, and requires both medical and psychological support.

research Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia Using PRP to Target Dysregulated Mechanisms and Pathways

5 citations, March 2022 in “Frontiers in Medicine”

PRP is effective for treating hair loss, especially with other treatments.

research Platelet Rich Plasma and Its Use in Hair Regrowth: A Review

18 citations, March 2022 in “Drug design, development and therapy”

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may help with various hair loss types, but more research is needed to find the best use method.

research Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy in Androgenic Alopecia: A Meta-Analysis

7 citations, February 2022 in “Journal of Personalized Medicine”

Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy significantly increases hair density in people with Androgenic Alopecia, and works better with more treatments per month and in younger patients.

Platelet-Rich Plasma with Microneedling in Androgenetic Alopecia: Study of Efficacy of the Treatment and the Number of Sessions Required

research Platelet-Rich Plasma with Microneedling in Androgenetic Alopecia: Study of Efficacy of the Treatment and the Number of Sessions Required

January 2021 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma with microneedling is effective for hair loss, but the number of sessions needed varies.

research Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

33 citations, July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

PRP treatment improves hair density and thickness for alopecia, but needs more research.

Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Adult Stem Cell-Based Therapy

research Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Adult Stem Cell-Based Therapy

65 citations, April 2020 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

PRP injections may be a safe, effective alternative for hair loss treatment compared to minoxidil and finasteride.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

8 citations, January 2020 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

PRP injections did not significantly improve hair growth.

research Comparison of Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy With or Without Topical 5% Minoxidil in Male-Type Baldness: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo Control Trial

26 citations, December 2019 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

PRP combined with minoxidil is the most effective and safe treatment for male pattern baldness.

A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Trial Comparing Platelet-Rich Plasma to Topical Minoxidil Foam for Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Women

research A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Trial Comparing Platelet-Rich Plasma to Topical Minoxidil Foam for Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Women

22 citations, October 2019 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Both Platelet-Rich Plasma and Minoxidil foam increase hair count in women with hair loss, but Minoxidil is more effective. However, women were more satisfied with Platelet-Rich Plasma treatment.

research A Study to Compare the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Minoxidil Therapy for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

18 citations, January 2019 in “International Journal of Trichology”

PRP therapy works better than minoxidil for treating hair loss.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Literature and Proposed Treatment Protocol

45 citations, September 2018 in “International Journal of Women's Dermatology”

PRP shows promise for hair loss treatment, with three initial monthly injections and maintenance every 3-6 months.

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

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

52 citations, May 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

PRP injections improve hair density and thickness in women with hair loss.

research A Split Head Study of Efficacy of Placebo Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

33 citations, January 2017 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

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

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 Platelet-Rich Plasma Microneedling Versus 5% Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Patterned Hair Loss

13 citations, January 2016 in “Journal of the Egyptian Women's Dermatologic Society (Print)”

Minoxidil works faster and is more cost-effective for treating hair loss, but platelet-rich plasma microneedling can be an alternative for those who can't use minoxidil.