Utility of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Aesthetics

August 2021 in “ Clinics in dermatology ”

Ryan C. Kelm, Omer Ibrahim

platelet-rich plasma androgenetic alopecia alopecia areata skin aging scarring dyspigmentation cellular proliferation regeneration differentiation hair density intralesional corticosteroids collagen production acne scarring microneedling laser therapy PRP AGA AA ILC

From the encyclopedia

Platelet-Rich Plasma →

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

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Microneedling →

technique to create small wounds in skin to activate collagen production and hair growth

Studysummary This review examines the use of platelet-rich plasma in aesthetic medicine and reports no new clinical results, highlighting the need for further research into its efficacy and safety. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document discusses the utility of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in aesthetic medicine, highlighting its efficacy in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA), alopecia areata (AA), skin aging, scarring, and dyspigmentation. PRP, an autologous blood-derived product with a high concentration of platelets, promotes cellular proliferation, regeneration, and differentiation. Multiple meta-analyses and randomized clinical trials, including a 2019 meta-analysis of 165 patients, support PRP's significant benefits in increasing hair density for AGA. For AA, PRP's effectiveness compared to intralesional corticosteroids (ILC) shows mixed results. PRP also enhances skin rejuvenation by boosting collagen production and improves outcomes in acne scarring when combined with microneedling or laser therapy. Despite not always being the first-line therapy, PRP serves as a valuable adjunct to other treatments, improving clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

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Research cited in this study

29 / 29 results

Growth Factor Concentrations in Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: An Intra-Subject, Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Pilot Study

research Growth Factor Concentrations in Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: An Intra-Subject, Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Pilot Study

13 citations , January 2020 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This pilot clinical trial suggests that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment may increase hair density in patients with androgenetic alopecia, though outcomes varied between patients.

research The Physician's Guide to Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dermatologic Surgery Part II: Clinical Evidence

24 citations , November 2019 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This review evaluates the use of platelet-rich plasma in dermatology, highlighting favorable outcomes in several areas, especially androgenetic alopecia, despite a lack of large randomized controlled trials and consistency in protocols.

The Physician's Guide to Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dermatologic Surgery Part I: Definitions, Mechanisms of Action, and Technical Specifications

research The Physician's Guide to Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dermatologic Surgery Part I: Definitions, Mechanisms of Action, and Technical Specifications

16 citations , November 2019 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This review examines the current evidence for platelet-rich plasma in dermatology, finding favorable outcomes particularly for androgenetic alopecia, but highlights the need for more rigorous clinical trials and standardized protocols.

research Comment on 'Platelet-Rich Plasma and Its Utility in the Treatment of Acne Scars: A Systematic Review'

4 citations , September 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that combining platelet-rich plasma with microneedling or fractional CO2 laser therapy was more effective in treating postacne atrophic scars than using these therapies alone, also boosting patient satisfaction.

research A Meta-Analysis of the Evidence for Assisted Therapy with Platelet-Rich Plasma for Atrophic Acne Scars

16 citations , September 2019 in “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma therapy helps improve atrophic acne scars.

research Pilot Study: Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Used in a Topical Cream for Facial Rejuvenation

9 citations , July 2019 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

This pilot study suggests that topical PRP may improve facial rejuvenation, with observed enhancements in collagen production and skin architecture over 8 weeks.

Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Comparative Study in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata of Scalp

research Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Comparative Study in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata of Scalp

7 citations , July 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology”

This study reported that intralesional triamcinolone acetonide was more effective than intralesional PRP for treating scalp alopecia areata, with minimal recurrence and side effects like atrophy and hypopigmentation.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Facial Rejuvenation: An Early Examination

12 citations , June 2019 in “Clinics in dermatology”

This review highlights the use of platelet-rich plasma in dermatology for skin and hair treatments but reports no new clinical results, emphasizing the need for larger studies to validate its effectiveness.

research A Prospective Study on the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Alopecia Areata

3 citations , May 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology”

This study found that platelet rich plasma was effective in treating alopecia areata, with 65% of patients responding well to treatment.

research Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma vs Intralesional Steroid in Treatment of Alopecia Areata

19 citations , May 2019 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

In this study, both platelet-rich plasma and intralesional corticosteroids improved hair re-growth in alopecia areata patients, but the difference between treatments was not significant, with fewer relapses observed in the platelet-rich plasma group.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia

39 citations , March 2019 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study's meta-analysis reported that PRP injections significantly increased hair density compared to baseline and placebo in androgenetic alopecia patients, supporting its use as a beneficial treatment.

Platelet-Rich Plasma and Microneedling Improve Hair Growth in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia When Used as an Adjuvant to Minoxidil

research Platelet-Rich Plasma and Microneedling Improve Hair Growth in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia When Used as an Adjuvant to Minoxidil

24 citations , January 2019 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

In this study, the authors reported that among patients with androgenetic alopecia, treatment with minoxidil 5% lotion combined with PRP and microneedling resulted in better hair growth and higher satisfaction compared to other treatment groups.

research The Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Restoration and Facial Aesthetics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

31 citations , January 2019 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

This review found that three monthly PRP injections improved hair density in patients with androgenetic alopecia compared to placebo, but more rigorous studies are needed for broader dermatological applications.

research Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Rejuvenation of Photoaged Facial Skin

51 citations , November 2018 in “JAMA Dermatology”

This study found that participant self-assessments suggested greater improvement in the texture and wrinkles of facial skin treated with PRP compared to normal saline, though dermatologist ratings showed no significant difference.

Treatment of Male Pattern Alopecia with Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Double-Blind Controlled Study with Analysis of Platelet Number and Growth Factor Levels

research Treatment of Male Pattern Alopecia with Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Double-Blind Controlled Study with Analysis of Platelet Number and Growth Factor Levels

57 citations , October 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma significantly increased hair count, density, and the percentage of anagen hairs in patients with androgenetic alopecia, but these improvements did not correlate with platelet or growth factor levels.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Different Platelet-Rich Plasma Regimens for Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Single-Center, Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial

research Evaluating the Efficacy of Different Platelet-Rich Plasma Regimens for Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Single-Center, Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial

46 citations , May 2018 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

In this study, subdermal platelet-rich plasma injections significantly increased hair count and shaft caliber in individuals with androgenetic alopecia, with monthly treatments potentially offering greater benefits.

research Efficacy of Non-Surgical Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

54 citations , May 2018 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study found that low-level laser therapy was the most effective non-surgical treatment for androgenetic alopecia, although the overall quality of evidence supporting various therapies was generally low.

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”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma injections significantly improved hair density, thickness, and patient satisfaction in women with female pattern hair loss compared to a placebo.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: Does It Work? Evidence from Meta-Analysis

64 citations , March 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This meta-analysis suggests that local injection of platelet-rich plasma for androgenic alopecia is associated with an increased number of hairs and some increase in hair thickness, though larger studies are needed for confirmation.

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”

This study found that PRP injections improved hair density, quality, and thickness in males with androgenic alopecia compared to placebo, with reported high patient satisfaction and no major side effects.

research Identification of Key Genes Induced by Platelet-Rich Plasma in Human Dermal Papilla Cells Using Bioinformatics Methods

16 citations , December 2016 in “Molecular Medicine Reports”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma may influence the proliferation of human hair dermal papilla cells by affecting gene expression related to the cell cycle.

research A Mechanistic Model of Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia

60 citations , September 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This article proposes a mechanistic model for how platelet-rich plasma therapy may stimulate hair growth in androgenetic alopecia by promoting vascularization and activating specific signaling pathways, but it reports no new experimental results.

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”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma was not effective in treating androgenetic alopecia in men with grade 4–6 hair loss.

research Meta-Analysis of Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

57 citations , May 2016 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This analysis suggests that platelet-rich plasma therapy may be promising for treating androgenetic alopecia, but further controlled trials with standardized measures are needed to confirm its efficacy.

Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Half-Head Study to Assess the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Half-Head Study to Assess the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

136 citations , April 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma significantly increased hair density and anagen hair proportions in androgenetic alopecia patients, suggesting potential as an adjuvant therapy.

Combined Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma with Microneedling Versus Microneedling with Distilled Water in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars: A Concurrent Split-Face Study

research Combined Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma with Microneedling Versus Microneedling with Distilled Water in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars: A Concurrent Split-Face Study

106 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This study found that adding platelet-rich plasma to microneedling improved outcomes for atrophic acne scars more than microneedling alone, according to both quantitative and qualitative assessments.

research Commentary on Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia

6 citations , August 2014 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

PRP injections may improve hair loss condition, but more research needed.

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.