Platelet-rich plasma in combination with 5% minoxidil solution showed efficacy in hair regrowth for patients with androgenetic alopecia compared with the combination with oral finasteride, according to study results recently published in Dermatologic Surgery.

Researchers studied 25 patients with androgenetic alopecia (13 females; mean age, 39.9 years). Thirteen patients were treated with 1 mL 5% topical minoxidil solution twice daily and 12 patients treated with 1 mg per day of oral finasteride.

Twenty-four patients completed the study and were included in the analysis.

Patients were evaluated at baseline and the beginning of the study, second treatment, third treatment and at follow-up at 6 months. At total of three treatments were given in the first three visits, with 1-month intervals between the visits.

Each patient received pure platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on one side of the head, and placebo injection on the other side. The PRP was administered at four areas, two in each half-head of the scalp, one front and one occipital. A total of 4 mL of PRP was administered as 0.15 to 0.2 mL per injection point.

At baseline, there was no significant difference in hair count, hair density, terminal density and anagen or telogen hairs between the PRP-treated side and the control side, which received placebo + minoxidil or oral finasteride.

There was a significant increase in mean hair count and mean hair density compared with baseline at 3 months in the PRP-treated side (P < .05).

Mean hair count, hair density, terminal hair density, anagen hairs and telogen hairs displayed a statistically significant positive effect of PRP associated with medication when compared with baseline at month 6 (P < .05). Mean hair count, hair density and terminal density were significant in change when compared with placebo (P < .05). There were no differences observed between the anagen or telogen ratio between the PRP and placebo areas.