Injections of platelet-rich plasma prepared by automatic blood cell separator combined with topical 5% minoxidil in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia

Abstract

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been increasingly accepted as a potential therapy in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), However, there remains a dearth of data on the effectiveness of PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator with a combination of topical minoxidil for the treatment of AGA.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator combined with topical 5% minoxidil therapy in male AGA.

Methods: Thirty male patients with mild/moderate AGA were enrolled in a randomized double-blind controlled study. Patients were randomly divided into two treatment arms: (group A) PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator combined with topical 5% minoxidil group; (group B) PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator combined with a topical placebo group. Trichoscopic assessments regarding hair density/quantity and mean hair diameter were performed at baseline and follow-up. Clinical efficacy of global photography and patient satisfaction were conducted to verify the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment, and the occurrence of adverse reactions was recorded.

Results: We detected a significant increase in all patients in hair density and quantity after PRP treatment (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in mean hair diameter. Although hair density/quantity was more pronounced in group A than in group B, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In terms of clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction, group A was superior to group B, and no serious adverse reactions occurred.

Conclusion: We hereby conclude that the injections of PRP prepared by an automated method are effective and safe in the treatment of mild-to-moderate male AGA patients, and its combination with topical 5% minoxidil therapy was superior to PRP monotherapy with better clinical efficacy and higher patient satisfaction.

Keywords: androgenetic alopecia; male pattern alopecia; minoxidil; platelet-rich plasma.