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For many people, hair loss (alopecia) or thinning hair can lead to a loss of self-esteem, anxiety, and other emotional issues.
To date, treatment options for androgenetic alopecia have been very limited, including topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, either alone or in combination.
However, several side effects have been reported, such as headaches and increased body hair with minoxidil, while a loss of libido has been reported with oral finasteride.
Finasteride also interferes with the male fetal genital development and is contraindicated in pregnant women, as well as those who may become pregnant.
PRP seems to be a suitable solution for hair loss. It has proven its effectiveness in plastic, orthopedic, and cardiac surgery. It is efficient in skin rejuvenation, rapid healing, reducing infections, and also in reducing the risk of hypertrophic keloids.
Treatment with PRP, its added value.
For the past decade, doctors and plastic surgeons have been injecting PRP into the scalp to promote hair growth, prevent hair loss, and treat androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness).
Growth factors are known to activate the proliferative phase, followed by the transdifferentiation of hair cells and the production of new follicular units.
The injection method
The most common PRP injection method is one where the layers of blood cells have been manually separated. Platelet activation through coagulation triggers the secretion of various growth factors, which produce mitogenic effects in various types of cells. Activated PRP promotes the proliferation of dermal papilla cells and prevents their apoptosis.
In most cases, a significant improvement in volume is observed, and better hair coverage on the scalp is also noted. Indeed, there is a significant increase in hair density and growth stimulation when follicular units are pretreated with PRP growth factors before transplantation.
A significant difference in follicular unit yield is observed when comparing experimental and control scalp areas. The areas treated with platelet plasma growth factors yielded 18.7 follicular units per cm2, while the control areas yielded 16.4 follicular units per cm2, representing a 15% increase in follicular density.
Study from the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health.
A study conducted by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health demonstrated the efficacy of PRP for hair. Eleven patients suffering from hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia, and not responding to a 6-month treatment with minoxidil or finasteride, were included in this study. A total volume of 2-3 cc of PRP was injected into the scalp using an insulin syringe. The treatment was repeated every two weeks, a total of four times. The results were assessed after 3 months through clinical examination, macroscopic photos, hair pull test, and overall patient satisfaction.
The results of this study are unequivocal, with a significant reduction in hair loss observed between the first and fourth injection. The number of hairs increased from an average of 71 follicular units to 93 follicular units. Consequently, the mean gain was 22.09 follicular units per cm2.
PRP, a viable solution for hair.
PRP injection as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia is a simple, cost-effective, and accessible treatment option.
Given its excellent safety profile and relatively low cost, PRP hair treatment is a promising therapeutic option for patients with baldness or thinning hair.
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