A Prospective Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

Abstract

Background: Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) is a nonscarring alopecia that affects both men and women. It is characterized by a progressive miniaturization of hair follicles with a characteristic pattern distribution in genetically predisposed men and women. The currently available treatments for AGA are sometimes perceived as having limited effectiveness, therefore, Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been postulated as a new therapy for AGA. Objective: To assess the efficacy of PRP on the evolution of AGA, between 6 months of treatment and baseline. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind, half-head study in male and female patients with AGA. The patient selection was performed in two different phases, according to presence or absence of medication for AGA. Group A included patients without previous medication for AGA and Group B included patients under medication for AGA (minoxidil or finasteride). All patients received a total of 3 treatments of PRP on one half-head and saline solution in the other half-head, with an interval of 1 month from each other. Injected areas comprised 4 circular areas marked with a dot tattoo. The follow-up visit was made at 6 months. Results: In Group A: administration of PRP alone attended a statistically significant improvement of mean hair density, mean terminal hair density, mean anagen hairs and telogen hairs, when compared with baseline, at 6 months. A statistically significantly correlation between demographic data and trichoscan analysis was found with two parameters: mean total hair density and mean anagen hairs. Regarding Group B: administration of PRP associated with ongoing medication is effective on the evolution of AGA. Both minoxidil or finasteride associated with PRP improved hair regrowth, although PRP in combination with minoxidil showed a greater improvement than PRP with finasteride, at six months. Limitations: The two major limitations of this study relate to the sample size and duration of follow-up. Conclusion: Administration of autologous PRP had a positive effect on male and female pattern hair loss without major side-effects.