Injection of PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia : a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia is the most frequent alopecia both in men and women. Despite it affects a large proportion of the population, they are few therapeutic options often restrictive. The injection of PRP in alopecic areas is a new and easy therapeutic option. The aim of this article is to systematically review the literature about this topic by analysing the articles describing the clinical results of this new technique in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men and / or women with a follow-up of minimum 6 months. A systematic review of the PRISMA type from several databases was carried out and identified 7 articles meeting the following inclusion criteria: 1) articles describing the clinical results of the injection of PRP for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, 2 ) in men and / or women, 3) written in English or French, 4) with clinical follow-up of at least 6 months, and 5) with objective criteria for follow-up of patients and observed complications. These prospective clinical studies are analyzed and compared qualitatively. This systematic review of the literature resulted in a qualitative analysis of 7 scientific studies on the effect of PRP injection as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia. Although all the studies concluded in a favorable effect of this new treatment, a larger, rigorous study with objective analysis of the therapeutic effect is necessary.