Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Effect on Androgenetic Alopecia and Female Pattern Hair Loss

Abstract

Background: Androgenetic Alopecia is a chronic form of hair loss affecting both male and female; 20% of Caucasian men and 40% of women, respectively. Plasma Rich Platelet (PRP) is a blood plasma with higher platelet concentration. It seems that in androgenetic alopecia, growth factors have an important role in transformation and development of terminal hair to vellus hair. The growth factors in PRP can affect this process. Methods: This was a case control study that was performed on 120 patients with grade II and III androgenetic alopecia, based on the Hamilton-Norwood classification system and grade 1 to 5 female pattern alopecia. Participants were randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients. The first group was treated with Finastride and the second underwent PRP treatment; with a group of 60 participants who received placebo. Follow-up was performed using macroscopic photography and Pull test base line, monthly for three months, and finally three months after PRP-treatment for patients who received PRP. Results: A total number of 120 participants enrolled in this study; 28 patients in the PRP group, 26 patients in the Finastride group and 60 patients in the control group. The results of one month follow up showed that hair growth and hair loss reduction were not significantly improved in the PRP group compared to the Finastride and control groups (P ≥ 0.05). Significant differences were observed in results of progression of hair growth and reduction of hair loss between groups after three and six months (P value: 00.) Conclusions: PRP-treatment is a novel therapeutic approach. The effective results of PRP-treatment might be due to this eagerness. Furthermore, the time duration of this procedure is short, which is an important factor for the patients since most of the participants are young men who do not tend to undergo long-time treatments, such as Finastride consumption and Minoxidil application.