The effects of autologus platelet rich plasma and various growth factors on non-transplanted miniaturized hair

Abstract

After utilizing platelet rich plasma (PRP) in all phases of a hair transplant procedure and infusing PRP into the scalp of patients prior to hair transplantation, the authors noticed a more mature hair growth sooner when compared to patients who had not had PRP therapy. While this observation was anecdotal, the authors proposed a study to determine if autologus platelet rich plasma had any effect on non-transplanted miniaturized hair.

What would be the effect of traumatizing and then infusing concentrated amounts of growth factors directly into the scalp? Is it possible to reverse miniaturization in androgenetic alopecia and stimulate hair growth in other conditions such as alopecia areata?

The results from this small study indicate that traumatizing and infusing PRP into the scalp did reverse miniaturization over an 8-month period when compared to control. Additionally, infusion of PRP into a patient with alopecia areata did result in new hair growth 1 month after treatment and lasted over 8 months.