A Study on Optimal Frequency and Duration of PRP in Androgenic Alopecia

Abstract

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AA), addressing the need for effective hair restoration with minimal invasiveness. However, questions remain regarding the optimal frequency and duration of PRP treatment. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of PRP therapy on hair density and diameter in AGA patients, considering variations in treatment response across different AGA grades and alopecia durations. Method: A 6-month open-labeled pilot study was conducted on 30 male participants with AGA Grades III-VII. PRP was administered every 15 days for six sessions, and hair parameters were evaluated using trichoscan. Results: The study demonstrated a significant increase in both hair diameter and density over six months of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Initially, the mean hair diameter was 0.055 mm, rising to 0.075 mm by the study's end, with a substantial increase of 0.021 mm at six months, equating to a 39.85% improvement. Similarly, hair density increased notably from 6.13 to 8.43 hairs per 10 mm², with the most significant rise at the six-month mark, showing a mean increase of 2.3 hairs per 10 mm², reflecting a 39.73% enhancement. All AGA grades experienced increased hair diameter and density, with Grade 5 showing the highest diameter increase (0.03 mm), and Grade 4A exhibiting the highest density increase (3.0 hairs per 10 mm²). Statistical analysis confirmed significant improvements across all grades (p = 0.0446 for diameter; p = 0.0196 for density). Additionally, patients with alopecia durations up to five years experienced the highest improvements in both diameter (0.026 mm) and density (2.68 hairs per 10 mm²), while longer durations showed lower enhancements (p = 0.0485 for diameter; p = 0.0096 for density). Conclusion: PRP therapy demonstrated efficacy across all AGA grades and durations, suggesting its potential as a promising treatment option for AGA. Further research is needed to validate these findings and establish PRP therapy as a standard AGA treatment.