Lyophilized growth factor intralesional injection in female pattern hair loss: A clinical and trichoscopic study

Dermatol Ther. 2021 Mar;34(2):e14867. doi: 10.1111/dth.14867. Epub 2021 Feb 17.

Abstract

Various therapeutic modalities have been tried for female pattern hair loss (FPHL) treatment. To our knowledge, no previous studies had evaluated the therapeutic effect of lyophilized growth factor (L-GF) intralesional injection in FPHL. The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional L-GF injection in FPHL by clinical and trichoscopic evaluation. This study included 20 patients with FPHL. All patients received three treatment sessions of intralesional injection of L-GF 4 weeks apart. Patients were followed-up for further 3 months. The outcome was evaluated by trichoscopy, photography score, patient's satisfaction score and side effects were reported. Trichoscopic evaluation showed significant posttreatment increase in all hair parameters associated with a significant decrease in vellus hair count. Ludwig's grade II showed posttreatment significant differences in all trichoscopic parameters from the baseline. No significant differences were detected regarding all trichoscopic parameters between the two Ludwig's grades posttreatment. 80% of patients showed photography score improvement that was significantly higher in Ludwig's grade II than in grade I. 100% of patients showed improvement in patient's satisfaction score with insignificant difference between Ludwig's grades. Intralesional injection of L-GF is safe and improved various trichoscopic hair parameters and clinical scores in FPHL.

Keywords: female pattern hair loss (FPHL); lyophilized growth factor(s) (L-GF); patient's satisfaction score; photography score; trichoscopy.

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia* / diagnosis
  • Alopecia* / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Hair*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Photography

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins