Successful Treatment of Corticosteroid-Resistant Ophiasis-Type Alopecia Areata with Platelet-Rich Plasma

August 2015 in “ JAAD case reports ”

Jeff C. Donovan

corticosteroid-resistant ophiasis-type alopecia areata alopecia areata platelet-rich plasma PRP minoxidil topical steroids intralesional triamcinolone acetonide hair regrowth steroid injections Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Platelet-Rich Plasma →

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

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This case report describes a patient with corticosteroid-resistant ophiasis alopecia areata who experienced prompt hair regrowth after receiving platelet-rich plasma injections. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

Eight years ago, a case study was conducted on a 41-year-old woman with corticosteroid-resistant ophiasis-type alopecia areata (AA), a form of hair loss that affects the occipital and parietal scalp. The patient had not responded to previous treatments, including minoxidil, topical steroids, and intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections. The study found that treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections led to hair regrowth within one month, with robust regrowth of hairs measuring 2.8 cm by the third month. The patient experienced no mood alterations after the PRP treatment, unlike the mood changes she had experienced after steroid injections. The study concluded that PRP could be a potentially effective treatment for steroid-resistant forms of AA, especially for patients who develop limiting side effects from steroid injections. However, the exact mechanism of PRP in treating AA remained unknown and required further study.

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Research cited in this study

5 / 5 results

research Current Treatment of Alopecia Areata

71 citations , December 2013 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This review discusses various treatments for alopecia areata, highlighting their limitations and individualized approach, and reports no new clinical results.

research Overview of Alopecia Areata

110 citations , December 2013 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This article reviews current understanding of alopecia areata, its genetic and immune factors, and discusses ongoing research and treatment development, without presenting new experimental results.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Half-Head Study to Evaluate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Alopecia Areata

research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Half-Head Study to Evaluate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Alopecia Areata

205 citations , April 2013 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, platelet-rich plasma significantly increased hair regrowth and reduced symptoms of alopecia areata compared to triamcinolone acetonide or placebo, with no observed side effects.

research Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Potential Therapeutic Tool for Promoting Hair Growth

270 citations , March 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study found that autologous platelet-rich plasma increased hair growth potential by enhancing dermal papilla cell proliferation and stimulating key signaling pathways in both cell cultures and mice models.

research Enhanced Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma Containing a New Carrier on Hair Growth

166 citations , August 2011 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study found that PRP combined with dalteparin and protamine microparticles may enhance hair growth by increasing hair thickness compared to PRP alone.