Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Pattern Hair Loss

  • Review Article
  • Published:
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a solution derived from whole blood that is enriched in the platelet fraction. Platelets serve as a reservoir of growth factors and cytokines. When platelets are activated in vivo, signaling molecules are released into the immediate microenvironment and activate receptors for various pathways. Historically, PRP has been applied to wound beds to promote healing of complex wounds. Over the last decade, it has served as a valuable therapeutic tool in various specialties such as maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine. Only recently has PRP been utilized for dermatologic purposes, more specifically, for the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss. In this review, we discuss molecular and cellular pathways upregulated by PRP important in hair folliculogenesis, and examine clinical evidence from all previously published studies involving the use of PRP for pattern hair loss.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Carter MJ, Fylling CP, Parnell LK. Use of Platelet rich plasma gel on wound healing: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eplasty. 2011;11:e38.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Sommeling CE, Heyneman A, Hoeksema H, et al. The use of platelet-rick plasma in plastic surgery: a systematic review. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2013;66:301–12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Curi MM, Cossolin GS, Koga DH, et al. Treatment of avascular osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients with a history of bisphosphonate therapy by combining bone resection and autologous platelet-rich plasma: report of 3 cases. J Oral Maxillofac Sug. 2007;65:348–55.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ronci C, Ferraro AS, Lanti A, et al. Platelet-rich plasma as treatment for persistent ocular epithelial defects. Transfus Apheres Sci. 2015;52(3):300–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Uebel CO, da Silva JB, Cantarelli D, et al. The role of platelet plasma growth factors in male pattern baldness surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006;118(6):1458–66.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Cayirh M, Cahskan E, Acikgoz G, et al. Regression of melisma with platelet-rich plasma treatment. Ann Dermatol. 2014;26(3):401–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Conde-Montero E, Horcajada-Reales C, Clavo P, et al. Neuropathic ulcers in leprosy treated with intralesional platelet-rich plasma. Int Wound J. 2014. doi:10.1111/iwj.12359.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Motolese A, Vignati F, Antelmi A, et al. Effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in healing necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum ulcers. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40(1):39–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Casabona F, Priano V, Vallerino V, et al. New surgical approach to lichen sclerosis of the vulva: the role of adipose-derived mesenchymal cells and platelet-rich plasma in tissue regeneration. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;126(4):210e–211e.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Budamakuntla L, Suryanarayan S, Sarvajnamurthy SS, et al. Autologous platelet rich plasma in pyoderma gangrenosum—two case reports. Indian J Dermatol. 2015;60(2):204–5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Dhurat R, Sukesh MS. Principles and methods of preparation of platelet-rich plasma: a review and author’s perspective. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2014;7:189–99.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Raja SV, Naidu ME. Platelet-rich fibrin: evolution of a second-generation platelet concentrate. Indian J Dent Res. 2008;19:42–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Senzel L, Gnatenko DV, Bahou WF. The platelet proteome. Curr Opin Hematol. 2009;5:329–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Li ZJ, Hi Choi, Choi DK, et al. Autologous platelet-rich plasma: a potential therapeutic tool for promoting hair growth. Dermatol Surg. 2012;38(7):1040–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Singhal P, Agarwal S, Dhot PS, et al. Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Asian J Transfus Sci. 2015;9(2):159–62.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Gentile P, Garcovich S, Bielli A, et al. The effect of platelet-rich plasma in hair regrowth: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2015. doi:10.5966/sctm.2015-0107.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Marwah M, Dogse K, Patil S, et al. Is there sufficient research data to use platelet-rich plasma in dermatology? Int J Trichol. 2014;6:35–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Khatu SS, More YE, Gokhale NR, et al. Platelet-rich plasma in androgenic alopecia: myth or an effective tool. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2014;7:107–10.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Cervelli V, Garcovich S, Bielli A, et al. The effect of autologous activated platelet right plasma (AA-PRP) injection on pattern hair loss: clinical and histomorphometric evaluation. Biomed Res Int. 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/760709.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Gkini MA, Kouskoukis AE, Tripsianis G, et al. Study of platelet-rich plasma injections in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia through an one-year period. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2014;7(4):213–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Kang JS, Zheng Z, Choi MJ, et al. The effect of CD34+ cell-combining autologous platelet rich plasma injection on pattern hair loss: a preliminary study. JEADV. 2014;28:72–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Schiavone G, Raskovic D, Greco J, et al. Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: a pilot study. Dermatol Surg. 2014;40(9):1010–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Sclafani AP. Platelet-rich fibrin matrix for androgenetic alopecia. Facial Plast Surg. 2014;30:219–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Betsi EE, Germain E, Kalbermatten DF, et al. Platelet-rich plasma injection is effective and safe for the treatment of alopecia. Eur J Plast Surg. 2013;36:407–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Takikawa M, Nakamura S, Nakamura S, et al. Enhanced effect of platelet-rich plasma containing a new carrier on hair growth. Dermatol Surg. 2011;37(12):1721–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Amable PR, Carias PB, Teixeira MV, et al. Platelet-rich plasma preparation for regenerative medicine: optimization and quantification of cytokines and growth factors. Stem Cell Res Therapy. 2013;4:67.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Giusti I, Rughetti A, D’Ascenzo S, et al. Identification of an optimal concentration of platelet gel for promoting angiogenesis in human endothelial cells. Transfusion. 2009;49:771–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Nicole Rogers, MD, FAAD, FISHRS for providing the sample protocol and the clinical photographs.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Babu Singh & Lynne J. Goldberg

  2. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Lynne J. Goldberg

Authors
  1. Babu Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lynne J. Goldberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lynne J. Goldberg.

Ethics declarations

Funding

No funding was received for the preparation of this review.

Conflict of interest

Babu Singh and Lynne J. Goldberg have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Singh, B., Goldberg, L.J. Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Pattern Hair Loss. Am J Clin Dermatol 17, 359–367 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-016-0196-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-016-0196-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation