Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Minoxidil®, Finasteride®, and Adult Stem Cell-Based Therapy
April 2020
in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”
TLDR PRP injections may be a safe, effective alternative for hair loss treatment compared to minoxidil and finasteride.
This document is a collection of systematic reviews and clinical trials that explore the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The studies suggest that PRP injections may be a safe and effective alternative treatment for AGA compared to other treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride. PRP has shown promising results in promoting hair growth and improving hair density and quality, but more high-quality studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm its effectiveness. The authors suggest that regenerative-based therapies will be the future of hair loss treatment.
View this study on mdpi.com →
Cited in this study
research Treatment of Male-Pattern Alopecia with Platelet-Rich Plasma
Using Platelet-Rich Plasma injections for male-pattern baldness didn't significantly improve hair growth.
research Randomized trial of electrodynamic microneedle combined with 5% minoxidil topical solution for the treatment of Chinese male Androgenetic alopecia
Combining electrodynamic microneedle with 5% minoxidil improves hair growth and reduces hair loss in Chinese men.
research The Physician's Guide to Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dermatologic Surgery Part I: Definitions, Mechanisms of Action, and Technical Specifications
Platelet-rich plasma is most effective for hair loss treatment and shows promise for skin healing and rejuvenation, but more standardized research is needed.
research Autologous Cellular Method Using Micrografts of Human Adipose Tissue Derived Follicle Stem Cells in Androgenic Alopecia
Using human fat tissue derived stem cells in micrografts can safely and effectively increase hair density in people with hair loss.
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
Stem cell therapy, particularly using certain types of cells, shows promise for treating hair loss by stimulating hair growth and development, but more extensive trials are needed to confirm these findings.
research Platelet-Rich Plasma and Micrografts Enriched with Autologous Human Follicle Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Hair Re-Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia. Biomolecular Pathway Analysis and Clinical Evaluation
PRP and HF-MSCs treatment improves hair growth, thickness, and density in androgenetic alopecia.
research Evaluating the Efficacy of Different Platelet-Rich Plasma Regimens for Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Single-Center, Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial
PRP injections effectively treat hair loss, with positive results in both monthly and every three months treatments.
research Injectable Platelet-, Leukocyte-, and Fibrin-Rich Plasma (iL-PRF) in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia
iL-PRF treatment improves hair growth for androgenetic alopecia.
research Therapeutic Potential of Stem Cells in Follicle Regeneration
Stem cells, especially from fat tissue and Wharton's jelly, can potentially regenerate hair follicles and treat hair loss, but more research is needed to perfect the treatment.
research Original article: Platelet-rich plasma with microneedling in androgenetic alopecia along with dermoscopic pre- and post-treatment evaluation
PRP with microneedling effectively treats hair loss, and dermoscopy helps evaluate results.
research Microneedling for the treatment of hair loss?
Microneedling can help stimulate hair growth, especially when used with other treatments, but it's not better than existing therapies.
research The effect of autologous activated platelet-rich plasma injection on female pattern hair loss: A randomized placebo-controlled study
PRP injections improve hair density and thickness in women with hair loss.
research Mechanical and Controlled PRP Injections in Patients Affected by Androgenetic Alopecia
PRP injections effectively promote hair growth in androgenetic alopecia patients.
research Alopecia and platelet-derived therapies
Platelet lysate is more effective than activated autologous platelet-rich plasma or saline in improving hair growth after hair restoration surgery.
research Conventional and novel stem cell based therapies for androgenic alopecia
Stem cell technologies and regenerative medicine, including platelet-rich plasma, show promise for hair restoration in treating hair loss, but more research is needed.
research Hair follicle growth by stromal vascular fraction-enhanced adipose transplantation in baldness
SVF-enhanced adipose transplantation shows potential as a hair loss treatment.
research The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy effectively treat hair loss.
research Stem cells from human hair follicles: first mechanical isolation for immediate autologous clinical use in androgenetic alopecia and hair loss
Stem cells from hair follicles can safely treat hair loss.
research The Effect of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors on Pattern Hair Loss: A Pilot Study
Treatment with plasma rich in growth factors improved hair density and thickness for hair loss patients.
research A study of the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in males
Platelet-rich plasma treatment significantly increased hair diameter and density, stopped hair fall, and boosted hair growth in men with hair loss, with no reported side effects.
research Evaluation of Not-Activated and Activated PRP in Hair Loss Treatment: Role of Growth Factor and Cytokine Concentrations Obtained by Different Collection Systems
PRP treatment improves hair growth, and the device used can affect results, with some being more effective.
research Hair Germ Model In Vitro via Human Postnatal Keratinocyte-Dermal Papilla Interactions: Impact of Hyaluronic Acid
research Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study on the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Women With Female Androgenetic Alopecia
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
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was found not effective in treating male-patterned hair loss.
research Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Half-Head Study to Assess the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia
PRP treatment helps hair growth and density in androgenetic alopecia patients.
research Microneedling as a successful treatment for alopecia X in two Pomeranian siblings
Microneedling helped two Pomeranian dogs with a hair growth disorder grow back 90% of their fur in 12 weeks, and the results lasted for a year.
research The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Platelet-rich plasma injections significantly improved hair regrowth and thickness in patients with hair loss.
research Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in treatment of androgenic alopecia
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can effectively increase hair density and thickness in people with androgenic alopecia, without major side effects.
research Epidermal stem cells and skin tissue engineering in hair follicle regeneration
Hair follicle regeneration needs special conditions and young cells.
research Study of platelet-rich plasma injections in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia through an one-year period
PRP injections increase hair density and satisfaction in androgenetic alopecia patients.
research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia
PRP injections improve hair thickness for baldness.
research Platelet-rich plasma in androgenic alopecia: Myth or an effective tool
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 The effect of CD34+ cell-containing autologous platelet-rich plasma injection on pattern hair loss: a preliminary study
Injecting CD34+ cell-containing platelet-rich plasma into the scalp can improve hair count and thickness in people with pattern hair loss.
research The Effect of Autologous Activated Platelet Rich Plasma (AA-PRP) Injection on Pattern Hair Loss: Clinical and Histomorphometric Evaluation
AA-PRP injections effectively increase hair count and thickness for male pattern hair loss.
research A randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, half-head study to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on alopecia areata
Platelet-rich plasma treatment significantly increased hair regrowth and decreased discomfort in alopecia patients, making it a potentially better and safer treatment option.
research Caspase-1 Level Is Higher in the Scalp in Androgenetic Alopecia
Higher caspase-1 levels found in balding scalps; reducing it may help treat hair loss.
research Enhanced Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma Containing a New Carrier on Hair Growth
Platelet-rich plasma with a new carrier significantly increases hair thickness without serious side effects.
research Adipocyte Lineage Cells Contribute to the Skin Stem Cell Niche to Drive Hair Cycling
Fat-related cells are important for initiating hair growth.
research Bald scalp in men with androgenetic alopecia retains hair follicle stem cells but lacks CD200-rich and CD34-positive hair follicle progenitor cells
Men with baldness due to androgenetic alopecia still have hair stem cells, but lack specific cells needed for hair growth.
research Hair growth and rejuvenation: An overview
The document concludes that minoxidil and finasteride are proven for hair growth, herbal remedies show promise, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
research The hair cycle
The document concludes that the hair cycle is a complex process involving growth, regression, and rest phases, regulated by various molecular signals.
research Effect of minoxidil on proliferation and apoptosis in dermal papilla cells of human hair follicle
Minoxidil boosts hair growth by increasing cell production and survival.
research Molecular Control of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Interactions During Hair Follicle Cycling
research Effects of Finasteride on Apoptosis and Regulation of the Human Hair Cycle
Finasteride affects hair growth by changing caspase and XIAP levels, potentially treating hair diseases.
research Finasteride increases anagen hair in men with androgenetic alopecia
Finasteride helps increase hair growth in men with hair loss.
research Involvement of Follicular Stem Cells in Forming Not Only the Follicle but Also the Epidermis
research Finasteride and the hair cycle
Finasteride improves hair growth.