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

March 2022 in “ Frontiers in Medicine ”

R. Abdin, Yusheng Zhang, Joaquin J. Jimenez

androgenetic alopecia platelet-rich plasma PRP growth factors EGF IGF-1 VEGF Wnt/β-catenin signaling stem cell renewal follicle nutrition minoxidil finasteride AGA epidermal growth factor insulin-like growth factor 1 vascular endothelial growth factor Rogaine Propecia

From the encyclopedia

Platelet-Rich Plasma →

growth factors taken from your blood and injected into your scalp to stimulate hair

Epidermal Growth Factor →

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor →

Studysummary This review analyzed 17 recent clinical trials on platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia but reports no new clinical results; the authors seek a consensus on optimal PRP use.

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

The document reviews the use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA), highlighting its potential to target dysregulated mechanisms and pathways involved in hair loss. PRP, rich in growth factors like EGF, IGF-1, and VEGF, promotes hair growth by enhancing Wnt/β-catenin signaling, stimulating stem cell renewal, and improving follicle nutrition. Clinical trials from 2018 to 2021, including a randomized trial with 39 participants, show that more frequent PRP treatments significantly increase hair count and caliber. The review concludes that PRP is effective, especially when combined with treatments like minoxidil or finasteride, and suggests optimizing PRP administration protocols for better outcomes. However, mixed results in some studies indicate the need for further research to fully understand PRP's efficacy in hair growth.

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