Study of platelet-rich plasma injections in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia through an one-year period.
BACKGROUND
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is defined as an autologous concentration of plasma with a greater count of platelets than that of whole blood. Its action depends on the released growth factors from platelets. It has been investigated and used in numerous fields of medicine. Recently, PRP has received growing attention as a potential therapeutic tool for hair loss.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRP injections in the scalp of patients with androgenetic alopecia.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
20 patients, 18 males and 2 females, with androgenetic alopecia were enrolled in the study. PRP was prepared using a single spin method (Regenlab SA). Upon activation, it was injected in the androgen-related areas of scalp. Three treatment sessions were performed with an interval of 21 days and a booster session at 6 months following the onset of therapy.


METHODS
Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 19.0 (IBM, NY, USA).


RESULTS
Hair loss reduced and at 3 months it reached normal levels. Hair density reached a peak at 3 months (170.70 ± 37.81, P < 0.001). At 6 months and at 1 year, it was significantly increased, 156.25 ± 37.75 (P < 0.001) and 153.70 ± 39.92 (P < 0.001) respectively, comparing to baseline. Patients were satisfied with a mean result rating of 7.1 on a scale of 1-10. No remarkable adverse effects were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that PRP injections may have a positive therapeutic effect on male and female pattern hair loss without remarkable major side effects. Further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Maria-Angeliki
MA
Gkini
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Alexandros-Efstratios
AE
Kouskoukis
Laboratory of Medical Statistics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Gregory
G
Tripsianis
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical School, Attikon Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Dimitris
D
Rigopoulos
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Konstantinos
K
Kouskoukis
Androgenetic alopecia; hair loss; platelet-rich plasma