Patient Satisfaction and Clinical Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Pattern Hair Loss in Male and Female Patients

Abstract

Hair loss is a widespread condition in both genders. Over the past decade, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become a common treatment for hair loss. Our goal was to analyze patient satisfaction and the clinical effects of PRP on male and female pattern hair loss. MethodsOver a period of 12 months, we treated a total of 56 patients for androgenetic alopecia with PRP. All of these patients were included in this study; 15 cc of whole blood was spun in an ACP double syringe (Arthrex Inc., Naples, Forida) for five minutes. The yielded 5 to 6 cc of PRP were then injected into the scalp. Forty-nine patients were treated with a series of three injections at monthly intervals, three patients with a series of four injections, two patients with a series of five injections, one patient was treated with a series of seven injections, and one patient with a series of eight injections. Follow-ups were conducted one month after the last treatment. A self-drawn questionnaire was used to assess the satisfaction and clinical results from the patient's and the clinician's perspectives. ResultsThe average age was 41 years (20-68 years). Fifty-seven percent of all patients were male and 43% female. In total, the patients were satisfied with the treatment results. The average score was 7.29 on a scale from 0 to 10. The clinician's rating was similar (6.46). Moreover, with an average score of 8 on a scale from 0 to 10, it is very likely that the patients will recommend PRP treatments to friends. The probability of occurrence of clinical effects among the entire study population was reported as follows: improvement in hair density (patient's rating: 64%; clinician's rating: 46%), thickness (38%; 45%), quality (46%; 54%), sheen/lustre (27%; 21%), new hair growth (57%; 68%), less hair loss (48%; 20%), other positive effects (5%, 2%), no effects (4%; 4%), negative effects (0%; 0%). ConclusionOur study revealed encouraging results for the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss with PRP. The autologous treatment was rated with high satisfaction scores and can be considered a safe and effective treatment modality.

Medical Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia

“…Patient evaluation with trichoscopy is important to select good candidates for PRP treatment. 66,67 A robust result from PRP treatment is found in patients with earlier stage and shorter AGA duration with hair miniaturization as the main physical finding. The characteristics of good candidates for PPR are summarized in ►Table 4.…”

“…63 The recommended techniques of PRP treatment for AGA are summarized in ►Table 5. 63,64,66,[70][71][72][73][74] The complications of PRP in most studies are minimal and transient. Injecting local anesthetics to the scalp (e.g., lidocaine with epinephrine) may cause minor pain and burning, local bruising, and local anesthetic reactions (rare).…”