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/cm(2) at T4. Conclusion: The effects of A-PRP and AA-PRP in hair re-growth during a long-term follow-up, was demonstrated.