Combination therapy with platelet-rich plasma and minoxidil leads to better clinical results than monotherapy with these methods in men with androgenetic alopecia.

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a new method for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the effectiveness and safety of which continues to be studied. Information on comparative efficacy when combining PRP with other methods of treatment is limited. The aim of the study was a comparative evaluation of the clinical efficacy of minoxidil, PRP therapy, and their combination in the treatment of men with AGA.Materials and Methods:The study included 69 men. The patients were divided into three observation groups: the main group (25 people, received applications of a 5% solution of minoxidil in combination with PRP injections), the comparison group (22 people, received intradermal injections of PRP), and the control group (22 people, received applications of a 5% solution of minoxidil). The clinical efficacy of the therapy was evaluated by the dynamics of morphometric indicators of hair growth using a digital camera and the software.Results:It was established that after complex therapy in the form of minoxidil applications and injections of PRP, the hair density increased by 32% (P = 0.00004), the diameter of the hair shafts by 26% (P = 0.00004), the share of vellus hair decreased by 30% (P = 0.00082), and the proportion of telogen hair decreased by 39% (P = 0.00008). The results of using complex therapy significantly exceeded the clinical effect of platelet-rich plasma and topical applications of a 5% solution of minoxidil.Conclusions:The data obtained allows suggesting that PRP and minoxidil potentiate each other's action when used together and their complex application seems promising for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.