Autologous activated platelet-rich plasma (AA-PRP) and non-activated (A-PRP) in hair growth: a retrospective, blinded, randomized evaluation in androgenetic alopecia

Objectives: A retrospective case-series study comparing autologous activated platelet-rich plasma (AA-PRP) versus autologous non-activated platelet-rich plasma (A-PRP) in hair re-growth was reported. Methods: 90 patients, 63 males showing AGA in stage I–V by the Norwood–Hamilton scale and 27 females with AGA in stage I–III by the Ludwig scale, treated since 2013, were analyzed. 57 patients were treated with A-PRP injections and 33 patients were treated with AA-PRP in three sessions spaced 30 days average. Assessment of hair re-growth was evaluated in different weeks (Ws) after the treatment, summarized in four phases: T0, before the first infusion, T1–12 Ws, T2–23 Ws, T3–44 Ws, T4–58 Ws after the last treatment. Results: 12 Ws, 23 Ws, 44 Ws, and 58Ws after the last treatment, hair density measurements for patients treated with A-PRP and AA-PRP were 65 ± 5 and 28 ± 4 hairs/cm2 at T1, 28 ± 2 and 15 ± 3 hairs/cm2 at T2, 25 ± 3 and 14 ± 3 hairs/cm2 at T3, 23 ± 3 and 13 ± 3 hairs/cm2 at T4. Conclusion: The effects of A-PRP and AA-PRP in hair re-growth during a long-term follow-up, was demonstrated.