MARZO 8, 2019

Platelet-Rich Plasma May Be Effective Therapy for Preventing Hair Loss

By Marielle Fares, PharmD

Washington, DC -- March 8, 2019 -- Treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is significantly more effective than topical minoxidil in women with androgenic alopecia (AGA), according to results of a study presented here at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Alison Bruce, MB, ChB, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, presented the study on March 2.

Dr. Bruce and colleagues randomised 20 women to receive either PRP followed by minoxidil (arm A) or minoxidil followed by PRP (arm B).

Patients randomised to arm A received injections of PRP every 4 weeks, for a total of 3 treatments over 12 weeks. Patients then had a 2-month washout period, lasting until the end of month 4. Starting with month 5, they received crossover treatment with minoxidil by applying the 5% foam once daily for 3 months, and were then followed until 48 weeks after enrolment.

Patients in arm B used minoxidil topical foam for 3 months, followed by a 2-month washout period. They then received crossover treatment with PRP harvested and administered in the same manner as for the patients in arm A. At the end of PRP treatment, patients in arm B were also followed until 48 weeks after enrolment.

After 12 weeks, a trichoscan analysis in the PRP-treated patients showed significant increases from baseline in hair count (P = .002) and vellus hair density (P = .009) but no dramatic changes between baseline and 12 weeks regarding terminal hair density and cumulative thickness. The researchers also observed significant improvements with minoxidil treatment at 12 weeks in hair count (P< .001), vellus hair density (P = .030), terminal hair density (P = .004), and cumulative thickness (P = .004).

Correspondingly, there was a greater degree of improvement between baseline and week 12 for minoxidil than for PRP in hair count (P = .009), terminal hair density (P = .003), and cumulative thickness (P = .005).

Interestingly, significant improvements in quality-of-life responses from baseline to week 12 were observed with PRP but not with minoxidil.

Although not superior to minoxidil, PRP treatment still may be effective for treating hair loss, particularly because of its novel method of action. Dr. Bruce highlighted the improved quality of life and treatment satisfaction in patients with PRP treatment compared with those on minoxidil treatment. These results suggest a trend toward possible benefit with combination therapy.

Further studies, conducted on a larger sample size, will be required to investigate the timing and frequency of PRP and possible effects when used in combination.

AGA is a hair loss disorder that negatively affects quality of life. PRPs are derived from whole autologous blood products that, when injected, are believed to activate growth factors, which in turn stimulate hair follicles. Previous studies have pointed to the safety and effectiveness of PRP in the treatment for AGA, but studies in women are lacking.

[Presentation title: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to Topical Minoxidil Foam for Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Women. Abstract 8520]

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Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock
Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

Clinica Victoria en San Pedro: 4000-1054
Momentum Escazu: 2101-9574

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