Platelet-rich plasma in Alopecia & Hair Regrowth:

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a hereditary and androgen-dependent dermatological disorder characterized by miniaturization of scalp hair in a defined pattern. There is an alteration in the hair cycle dynamics leading to vellus transformation of terminal hair follicles. Due to the limited treatment options, it is a growing concern for dermatologist worldwide.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medical treatment options for the management of AGA are topical minoxidil and oral finasteride. Various other treatments have been tried beside FDA-approved options. Most of the existing treatment options are relatively slow to act because of which there has been a continuous search for newer modality of treatment among which platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has shown promising results. PRP is autologous preparation of platelets in concentrated plasma.

It contains more than 20 growth factors (GF), of which most important GFs include platelet-derived GFs, transforming GF-ß, vascular endothelial GF, and insulin-like GF-1 along with their isoforms. In AGA, PRP induces differentiation of stem cells, prolongs survival of dermal papilla cells, prolongs anagen phase of hair cycle, and increases perifollicular vascular plexus by multiple mechanisms through various GFs.PRP contains a range of growth factors that speed tissue repair. As some types of hair loss result from damage to hair follicles, researchers initially hypothesized that PRP could help regrow hair by reversing the process that occurs in androgenetic alopecia.

In fact, PRP has become a popular method of restoring hair regrowth.