Review of the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Alopecia

The document reviewed the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy in treating nonscarring alopecia, suggesting it may be a beneficial adjuvant treatment for increasing hair growth and thickness. However, the efficacy of PRP is debated due to inconsistent trial methodologies, subjective assessments, and small study sizes. The review called for standardized protocols and larger, more controlled studies, particularly for scarring alopecia. It discussed PRP preparation methods, with the double-spin method yielding the best results, and compared stand-alone PRP therapy, which had a 70% success rate, to combination therapy with a 60.25% success rate. Studies in mice indicated PRP could promote hair growth by stimulating certain proteins and enhancing stem cell survival. An American trial with 60 participants is underway to compare PRP with another treatment for alopecia areata or scarring alopecia, with results expected since early 2019. The document concluded that while PRP shows promise for nonscarring alopecia, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and to explore its impact on symptoms and in combination therapies. Further research is anticipated on other treatments and factors affecting nonscarring alopecias.