Platelet-Rich Plasma For Treating Female Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a common form of hair loss that affects males and females. Hormonal, environmental, and genetic factors all play a role in its pathogenesis, oftentimes affecting patients’ quality of life due to diminished self-esteem. Treatment options are limited, thus driving the demand for hair restoration options. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has shown promising results for the AGA population. This literature review was conducted to assess the effectiveness of PRP treatment for AGA in female subjects. A total of sixteen studies were found that included females, but only five studies met our inclusion criteria of evaluating only female subjects. These five studies from PubMed between 2011 to 2020 were evaluated and grouped by study features, preparation methods, and treatment protocols. A total of 136 female subjects with AGA between the ages of 18-64 were treated with PRP or placebo, or both. The following metrics were evaluated pertaining to hair: count, thickness, growth, volume, mass index, and caliber. Some studies also included subjective assessment reports. Four of the five studies showed significance in effectiveness of PRP in increasing hair thickness/density while subjective improvement in hair quality was noted in all five studies. More studies are needed to assess the advantage of PRP treatment in order to mitigate the negative psychological factors of AGA impacting the female population.