A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Trial Comparing Platelet-Rich Plasma to Topical Minoxidil Foam for Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Women : Dermatologic Surgery

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A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Trial Comparing Platelet-Rich Plasma to Topical Minoxidil Foam for Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Women

Bruce, Alison J. MB, ChB*; Pincelli, Thais P. MD*; Heckman, Michael G. MS†; Desmond, Cheryl M. BS, MT(ASCP)SH, POCC(AACC)‡; Arthurs, Jennifer R. ARNP‡,§; Diehl, Nancy N. BS†; Douglass, Erika J. MPH║; Bruce, Charles J. MD║; Shapiro, Shane A. MD¶

Author Information

*Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida;

†Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida;

‡Center for Regenerative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida;

§Division of Transplant Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida;

â•‘Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine;

¶Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Alison J. Bruce, MB, ChB, Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, or [email protected]

Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal's Web site (www.dermatologicsurgery.org).

Center for Regenerative Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL.

The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Dermatologic Surgery 46(6):p 826-832, June 2020. | DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000002168

Abstract

BACKGROUND 

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a common hair loss disorder. Studies have demonstrated successful treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in men, but studies in women are few.

OBJECTIVE 

To evaluate PRP in the treatment of AGA in women, compared with topical minoxidil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

Twenty women with AGA received topical minoxidil for 12 weeks and injectable PRP for 12 weeks in a randomized crossover design with an 8-week washout between treatments. Standardized TrichoScan analysis and quality-of-life questionnaires were assessed at baseline and 12-week follow-up for each treatment.

RESULTS 

After PRP, significant increases from baseline to Week 12 in TrichoScan analysis hair count (p = .002) and vellus hair density (p = .009) occurred. However, minoxidil resulted in significant increases in hair count (p < .001), vellus hair density (p = .03), terminal hair density (p = .004), and cumulative thickness (p = .004). Several quality of life responses improved from baseline to Week 12 after PRP treatment, whereas no improvements were noted after minoxidil.

CONCLUSION 

Platelet-rich plasma is an effective treatment for hair regrowth in female AGA, although not as effective as minoxidil. However, the improved quality of life responses after PRP, but not minoxidil, suggest a potential overall greater degree of satisfaction with PRP.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE 

I.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION 

NCT03488108.

© 2019 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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