Platelet Rich Plasma

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a solution of plasma proteins derived from blood. It is created by using a centrifuge to remove red blood cells, leaving a component with a high concentration of platelets, growth factors, and cytokines, which is then injected into the scalp.

PRP therapy offers several benefits, as it is made entirely from your blood, allowing your body to accept the injections without risk of rejection and reducing the risk of infection or side effects associated with other injectable treatments.

The mechanism by which PRP promotes hair growth in individuals with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is not yet fully understood. However, it is believed that the growth factors and cytokines in PRP, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stimulate hair follicle cells and promote new hair growth. Additionally, PRP may improve blood flow to the scalp by stimulating the formation of new blood vessels, increasing blood flow and providing nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles. In addition to androgenetic alopecia, PRP has been reported to be effective for several other types of hair loss (including telogen effluvium and alopecia areata).

Due to the lack of standardized PRP preparation and application methods, data varies, but several studies suggest its effectiveness. Generally, platelet enrichment should be 3 to 6 times the mean concentration of whole blood (preferably >5x), and the recommended treatment intervals are monthly sessions for the first three months, followed by sessions every 3 to 6 months. Ineffectiveness of PRP for treating AGA may result from low platelet concentration, low PRP volume, inadequate treatment frequency, or patient-specific factors.

One placebo-controlled randomized trial involving 25 patients with AGA found a greater increase in hair density in sites treated with PRP compared to control areas after three PRP treatments separated by one month. Another placebo-controlled randomized study of 26 patients receiving either PRP or saline injections showed a significant increase in hair count, hair density, and the percentage of anagen hairs in the PRP group. A third randomized controlled trial, specifically targeting women with AGA, found that 57% of patients receiving PRP improved at week 24 from baseline compared to 7% receiving saline. A meta-analysis of 10 studies (including several RCT) concluded that PRP therapy resulted in a significantly greater increase in hair density compared to baseline and placebo.

PRP treatment is generally well-tolerated, with mild adverse effects like headache, scalp tightness, swelling, redness, and post-injection bleeding.