Comparative Evaluation of Buffy Coat-Derived and Apheresis Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: Laboratory and Clinical Insights

May 2026 in “ Dove Medical Press (Taylor and Francis Group) ”

Chunru Huang, Minhua Wu, Yuyuan Li, Xiaogen Tang, Miaochan Chen, Wenli Li, Qifeng Liu, Kui Cai

buffy coat-derived platelet-rich plasma apheresis platelet-rich plasma platelet-rich plasma androgenetic alopecia hair density follicular parameters logistic regression treatment frequency PRP AGA

TLDR Buffy coat PRP is more effective for hair growth in androgenetic alopecia than apheresis PRP.

This study compared buffy coat-derived and apheresis platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in 163 patients. Apheresis PRP required more blood and had higher platelet concentration, while buffy coat PRP had better recovery rates. Both methods improved hair density and follicular parameters, but patient-reported improvement was higher with buffy coat PRP (51.7% vs 46.1%). Logistic regression identified the buffy coat method and treatment frequency as predictors of response, indicating that platelet number alone does not determine efficacy. Repeated treatments significantly enhance outcomes, emphasizing the importance of treatment frequency in PRP therapy.

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