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Review
. 2025 Jan 13;17(1):e77371.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.77371. eCollection 2025 Jan.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Effectiveness in Treating Androgenetic Alopecia: A Comprehensive Evaluation

Rúben Lopes-Silva  1 , Maria Santos  1 , Maria Luísa Sequeira  2 , Andreia Silva  1 , Tatiana Antunes  1 , Paulo Valejo-Coelho  1 , Manuel Neiva-Sousa  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Platelet-Rich Plasma Effectiveness in Treating Androgenetic Alopecia: A Comprehensive Evaluation

Rúben Lopes-Silva et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has gained recognition in regenerative medicine due to its concentration of growth factors that promote hair follicle activity, making it a potential treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). However, variability in PRP preparation and application has led to inconsistent outcomes across studies. This review evaluates the overall effectiveness of PRP in treating AGA based on the latest available evidence. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, identifying 156 articles related to PRP and AGA. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 studies published between January 2020 and May 2024 were selected. The studies focused on the efficacy of PRP compared to placebo or other treatments and explored different PRP formulations and application methods. The majority of studies demonstrated that PRP is effective in increasing hair density and thickness in patients with AGA. There was a general consensus on the positive effects of PRP, although results varied due to differences in preparation protocols, platelet concentration, and delivery methods. Additionally, combining PRP with other treatments, such as microneedling or topical medications like minoxidil, showed enhanced efficacy in several studies. While some studies reported conflicting outcomes, the overall evidence supports PRP as a promising treatment for AGA. In conclusion, PRP is a viable therapeutic option for AGA, particularly for increasing hair density and thickness. However, the variability in treatment protocols highlights the need for standardized PRP preparation and application methods. Future research should focus on refining these protocols and exploring the potential of combination therapies to maximize treatment effectiveness and consistency.

Keywords: aga; androgenetic alopecia; hair follicle; platelet-rich plasma; prp.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram illustrating the study selection process, including the number of records identified, screened, excluded, and shortlisted for the final review.
PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; PRP: platelet-rich plasma
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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