EFFICACY OF PRP INJECTION IN TREATING ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA IN FEMALE

Dr. Maruna Yesmeen*

ABSTRACT

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AA) is characterized by the gradual replacement of thick terminal hairs with miniaturized, vellus hairs, typically following distinct patterns. Treatment options for AA include various modalities, but their efficacy remains variable. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has emerged as a promising intervention for hair loss, hypothesized to stimulate follicular stem cells and neovascularization. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of PRP therapy specifically in women with AA, drawing from a single-center experience. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology of Tertiary Hospital, enrolling women aged over 18 years diagnosed with AA who showed minimal improvement following topical minoxidil treatment. PRP therapy, administered in six sessions at 4-week intervals, involved the injection of PRP into selected scalp areas. Efficacy was assessed using the severity of alopecia tool (SALT) scoring system, and adverse effects were monitored post-treatment. Statistical analysis utilized paired t-tests and effect size calculations. Results: A total of 20 women (mean age: 42.38 years) were included. Post-PRP treatment, there was a significant reduction in the total SALT score from 27.5 ± 6.35 to 9.41 ± 3.71 (P ≤ 0.05), corresponding to a 33.94% change. The effect size was 3.52. Specific scalp area analysis revealed the vertex to exhibit the largest effect size, with similar effects in other regions. No serious adverse effects were observed. Conclusion: PRP therapy demonstrated efficacy and safety in treating AA in women, presenting a viable alternative to conventional treatments. However, further research with standardized protocols and comparative studies is needed to confirm its superiority and establish it as the preferred option for AA management.

Keywords: Androgenetic alopecia (AA), Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, hair loss.