Understanding the PRP Hair Treatment Success Rate

Hair loss, a significant dermatological and aesthetic concern, afflicts a substantial portion of the global population, presenting in diverse phenotypes, most notably androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium. Androgenetic alopecia, or pattern hair loss, is marked by progressive follicular miniaturization in a characteristic distribution. Telogen effluvium is characterized by a diffuse, transient shedding of hair precipitated by various etiological factors.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has recently garnered attention within the domain of hair restoration, predicated on the autologous administration of concentrated platelets and bioactive molecules, ostensibly to catalyze follicular regeneration and enhance hair caliber.

What is PRP For Hair Growth?

PRP therapy relies on the autologous extraction and concentration of platelets from the patient's own blood. This process leverages the premise that platelets can release growth factors and cytokines that may influence hair follicle activity and health [1]. Deriving PRP involves drawing blood from the patient, followed by centrifugation to separate the blood components.

The theoretical underpinning for PRP's utility in mitigating hair loss hinges on the premise that the concentrated presence of growth factors and bioactive proteins can stimulate dormant hair follicles, promoting stem cell activation in the hair bulge area, augmenting follicular angiogenesis, and enhancing the nutritional milieu of the hair follicle [2].

How Does PRP Hair Treatment Work for Hair Loss?

1. Increased Growth Factors and Cytokines

Platelets are a rich source of growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor (TGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). The concentrated delivery of these factors to the scalp is theorized to activate hair follicles, encouraging their progression into the anagen phase [3].

2. Enhanced Scalp Blood Supply

The angiogenic properties of certain growth factors in PRP, notably VEGF, may facilitate the improvement of blood supply to the follicle [4].

3. Improved Follicular Microenvironment

By altering the local microenvironment of the hair follicles, PRP may improve the conditions necessary for hair growth [5].

Understanding Platelet Rich Plasma Success Rates

The determination of a singular, universally applicable success rate for PRP therapy in the treatment of alopecia presents a formidable challenge, attributed to methodological diversity, patient heterogeneity, and the intrinsic complexity of measuring hair restoration outcomes [6].

One study reported hair density improvement of 13% following PRP treatment [7], reflecting the broad variability in outcomes. The clinical significance of PRP treatment outcomes should be weighed against the backdrop of existing therapeutic options, considering both efficacy and safety profiles [8][9].

Factors Influencing PRP Hair Treatment Success

The success of PRP therapy in treating hair loss is influenced by multiple factors including the underlying cause and duration of hair loss, the patient's overall health and the condition of the scalp, the number of PRP sessions, the patient's adherence to the treatment protocol, and the skill of the provider [10][11].

Setting Realistic Expectations with Patients

Effective communication and the establishment of realistic expectations are paramount in the clinical management of patients considering PRP therapy for hair loss. The principle of informed consent is integral to the patient-provider dialogue, including a transparent presentation of possible adverse effects, such as discomfort at injection sites, scalp tenderness, and, in rare instances, infection.

Potential Limitations and Risks

PRP therapy is marked by a scarcity of extensive, longitudinal clinical studies. While the instruments and protocols for PRP preparation have received clearance from regulatory entities, specific uses of PRP therapy lack explicit FDA endorsement [12]. Despite PRP's autologous origin, there remains a possibility for adverse effects.

SELPHYL® Disclaimer

Instructions for the use of SELPHYL® can be found here and here.

SELPHYL® has not been approved by the FDA for subcutaneous, submucous, or intradermal injections in aesthetic medicine, and the safety and effectiveness of SELPHYL® for these conditions have not been established.

SELPHYL® is designed to be used for the safe and rapid preparation of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from a small sample of peripheral blood at the patient's point of care. The PRP is mixed with autograft and/or allograft bone prior to application to a boney defect to improve handling characteristics.

As of the time of writing, SELPHYL® has no known serious, life-threatening, or fatal risks apart from the adverse reactions described above.

SELPHYL® Limitations, Restrictions, Cautions, and Warnings

• Prescription only.
• Do not use the kit if the sterile packaging is damaged or compromised.
• Follow universal safety precautions for blood collection and sharps disposal.
• During blood draw, failure to align and properly seat tubes in the tube holder can result in a loss of vacuum and a loss of blood draw.
• During PRP transfer, failure to align and securely seat tubes simultaneously in assembled blood transfer device tube holders can result in a loss of vacuum and the failure of PRP to transfer to the red-top PRFM tube.
• Do not initiate the transfer of PRP into the red-top PRFM tube until the physician is ready to complete the procedure.
• Do not reuse.

SELPHYL® Contraindications

These are not in FDA-required labeling and are part of SELPHYL®’s clinical evaluation for EU CE requirements.

• Direct connection to a patient’s vascular system of circulating blood volume.
• Other health conditions and diseases may also contraindicate the use of autologous PRP, including but not limited to low platelet count, sepsis, localized infection in the treatment area, anemia, malignancy with hematologic or bony involvement, and anticoagulation therapy.

Conclusion

In the realm of alopecia management, PRP therapy emerges as a treatment with potential, albeit characterized by variable success rates influenced by multifactorial patient-specific elements. Key to harnessing PRP's therapeutic prospects is the individualized assessment of patients.

About the author: Dr. Ali is a medical journalist and copywriter currently partnering with Selphyl® in crafting medical-related articles.

References

1. Selphyl. About PRFM. Published June 1, 2023.
2. Anitua E, Pino A, Jaén P, Navarro MR. PRP for the management of hair loss. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019;18(2):483–486.
3. Paichitrojjana A. PRP and Its Use in Hair Regrowth. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2022;16:635–645.
4. Gentile P, et al. The Effect of PRP in Hair Regrowth. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2015;4(11):1317–1323.
5. Li M, et al. Effectiveness of PRP in Androgenic Alopecia. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2024;48(5):977–984.
6. Justicz N, et al. PRP for Hair Restoration. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2020;28(2):181–187.
7. Siah TW, et al. Growth factor concentrations in PRP for androgenetic alopecia. Exp Dermatol. 2020;29(3):334–340.
8. Hetz SP, et al. PRP on Pattern Hair Loss. Cureus. 2022;14(9):e28801.
9. Stevens J, Khetarpal S. PRP for androgenetic alopecia. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2018;5(1):46–51.
10. Gentile P, Garcovich S. Systematic Review of PRP in Androgenetic Alopecia. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(8):2702.
11. Elena EP, Irina OS. PRP and minoxidil. Int J Trichology. 2022;14(1):1–7.
12. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections.