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

This study evaluated the effectiveness of two platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparation methods, buffy coat and apheresis, in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in 163 patients. Both methods significantly improved hair density and shaft diameter, with the buffy coat method showing a slight advantage in patient self-assessment, as 51.7% reported significant improvement compared to 46.1% in the apheresis group. Apheresis produced higher platelet concentrations and purity, while buffy coat had better platelet recovery efficiency. Despite apheresis's superior laboratory performance, the buffy coat method had a slight edge in patient-reported outcomes. The study highlights that factors beyond platelet count, such as growth factor release and platelet activation, are crucial for PRP efficacy. Limitations include a small sample size and lack of long-term follow-up, suggesting the need for larger trials and exploration of new regenerative approaches.