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. 2020 Apr;19(4):827-835.
doi: 10.1111/jocd.13113. Epub 2019 Aug 26.

Autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy for pattern hair loss: A systematic review

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Autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy for pattern hair loss: A systematic review

Gezim Dervishi et al. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern and female pattern hair loss) is characterized by thinning of the scalp hair. Intradermal injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) might have an effect on hair regrowth.

Aims: The aim was to evaluate efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma compared to placebo or no treatment in people with pattern hair loss.

Patients/methods: We searched the databases CENTRAL and MEDLINE on December 24, 2018 and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Primary outcomes were mean change of hair density from baseline and serious treatment-related adverse events. Secondary outcome was mean change of hair thickness from baseline. Time point of outcome assessment was 6 months after start of treatment.

Results: We identified 13 relevant randomized controlled trials with 356 randomized (343 analyzed) people or half-head areas who received PRP in a simple parallel or half-head design. The pooled data of seven studies (171 analyzed people or half-head areas) were favorable in the PRP group on hair density. We estimated a mean difference from baseline of 30.35 associated with a wide 95% confidence interval (1.77-58.93), a considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 100%), and unclear risk of bias in most of the studies. Regarding hair thickness, data were also favorable in the PRP group, but these data were limited to a single study. We did not identify serious treatment-related adverse events.

Conclusion: The results of seven RCTs indicated that autologous platelet-rich plasma was associated with an increase of hair density when compared to placebo.

Keywords: androgenetic alopecia; pattern hair loss; platelet-rich plasma; systematic review.

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