Studies are suggesting that PRP Therapy has the potential to treat alopecia hair loss.
Recently, the practice of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to heal a number of ailments has been becoming increasingly popular. Not only can PRP potentially heal joints, but it can also help prevent aging, improve sexual wellness, and stimulate hair regrowth. Although it may seem overly simplistic that the treatment for alopecia hair loss lies within one’s own body, multiple studies suggest that it is entirely possible.
For example, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled study from 2013, forty-five patients were randomized to receive either, PRP, triamcinolone acetonide (TrA), or a placebo to treat alopecia areata. Each patient was given three treatments over 1 month intervals. At the end of the study…”PRP was found to increase hair regrowth significantly and to decrease hair dystrophy and burning or itching sensation compared with TrA or placebo. Ki-67 levels, which served as markers for cell proliferation, were significantly higher with PRP. No side-effects were noted during treatment.” [1]
Another study from 2013 investigated “the safety and clinical efficacy of alopecia areata-PRP injections for pattern hair loss.” After harvesting and isolating the PRP from each patient’s own blood, it was injected onto half of the patient’s scalp- the other half of the patient’s scalp received treatment from a placebo. This study also used the method of treating each patient three times over intervals of 1 month. The results found that “the patients presented clinical improvement in the mean number of hairs,” and an “increase of epidermis thickness and of the number of hair follicles two weeks after the last AA-PRP treatment compared to baseline value.” [2]
Lastly, a 2014 study set out to observe the “safety, efficacy and feasibility of PRP injections in treating androgenic alopecia.” This study included eleven patients who were diagnosed with androgenic alopecia and who also had no hair growth success after 6 months of using traditional treatments such as minoxidil or finasteride. Participants received PRP injections into the scalp every two weeks over an eight week period. After three months, the participants were then clinically examined and assessed. The results yielded that “a significant reduction in hair loss was observed between first and fourth injection. Hair count increased from average number of 71 hair follicular units to 93 hair follicular units. Therefore, average mean gain is 22.09 follicular units per cm 2.” Thus, the study concluded that the “PRP injection is a simple, cost effective and feasible treatment option for androgenic alopecia, with high overall patient satisfaction.” [3]
Although it is a fairly new procedure, the results look promising for PRP Therapy to treat alopecia hair loss. It is clear that the healing growth factors within—and the stimulating properties of—PRP have the potential to produce favorable outcomes when it comes to treating alopecia hair loss.
Sources:
[1] http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjd.12397/full
[2] https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2014/760709/abs/
[3] http://www.jcasonline.com/article.asp?issn=0974-2077;year=2014;volume=7;issue=2;spage=107;epage=110;aulast=Khatu