Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

January 2023 in “ PubMed ”

Mario Cruciani, Francesca Masiello, Ilaria Pati, Giuseppe Carlo Marano, Simonetta Pupella, Vincenzo De Angelis

platelet-rich plasma androgenetic alopecia alopecia areata PRP triamcinolone

TLDR PRP might help with hair growth, but the evidence is weak.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA) by analyzing 27 controlled trials involving 1,117 subjects. The results showed that PRP injections increased hair density compared to saline injections (MD, 25.6 hairs/cm²; 95% CI: 2.62-48.57) in AGA patients, but the evidence was rated as low quality due to inconsistency and risk of bias. For AA patients, the benefit of PRP compared to triamcinolone injections was unclear, with very low-quality evidence. No serious adverse events were reported. Overall, the evidence supporting PRP's benefit for alopecia treatment is limited and of low quality.

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Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Hair Regrowth and Lesional T-Cell Cytokine Expression in Alopecia Areata: A Randomized Observer-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Split-Head Pilot Study

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Platelet-rich plasma may help restore immune balance in bald patches, but its effectiveness in treating hair loss is limited.

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33 citations , July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

PRP treatment improves hair density and thickness for alopecia, but needs more research.

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18 citations , July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

PRP injections improve hair density and thickness in women with hair loss.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Therapy for Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

15 citations , May 2020 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

PRP treatment increases hair density and thickness in androgenetic alopecia by 79%.

Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Adult Stem Cell-Based Therapy

research Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Adult Stem Cell-Based Therapy

65 citations , April 2020 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

PRP injections may be a safe, effective alternative for hair loss treatment compared to minoxidil and finasteride.

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15 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Minoxidil and finasteride work best for hair loss; more research needed.

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8 citations , January 2020 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

PRP injections did not significantly improve hair growth.

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5 citations , January 2020 in “International Journal of Trichology”

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PRP combined with minoxidil is the most effective and safe treatment for male pattern baldness.

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Platelet-rich plasma is a safe and effective treatment for hair loss, with fewer relapses than steroid treatment.

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

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research A Study to Compare the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Minoxidil Therapy for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

18 citations , January 2019 in “International Journal of Trichology”

PRP therapy works better than minoxidil for treating hair loss.

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148 citations , December 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.

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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”

Platelet-rich plasma treatment can significantly increase hair count and density in men with pattern baldness, and these improvements can last up to 3 months.

research Meta-Analysis on Evidence of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia

29 citations , January 2018 in “International Journal of Trichology”

PRP treatment helps hair growth and density with 70.7% success, but more research needed.

research Comparison of the Efficacy of Homologous and Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treating Androgenic Alopecia

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348 citations , July 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

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136 citations , February 2017 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

PRP treatment improves hair growth, and the device used can affect results, with some being more effective.

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214 citations , September 2015 in “Stem Cells Translational Medicine”

Platelet-rich plasma injections significantly improved hair regrowth and thickness in patients with hair loss.

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Platelet-rich plasma, which carries growth factors, could be a promising treatment for non-scarring hair loss, promoting hair growth and density with no major side effects.

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AA-PRP injections effectively increase hair count and thickness for male pattern hair loss.

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Platelet-rich plasma treatment significantly increased hair regrowth and decreased discomfort in alopecia patients, making it a potentially better and safer treatment option.

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