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Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) can be caused by genetic predisposition, hormonal fluctuations, or medical conditions, and the main types are androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and telogen effluvium (TE). 1 AGA causes progressive thinning of hair, primarily on the crown and front of the head. TE, on the other hand, is characterized by diffuse shedding due to stress and hormonal changes. 2 Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy enhances tissue repair and stimulates hair follicle activity, offering potential benefits over traditional treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride, which have limitations and adverse effects. There is. 3 Despite its promise, existing research on the effectiveness of PRP, particularly in women, has methodological flaws and inconsistencies.4 A recent review aims to address these gaps by analyzing randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of PRP in the treatment of various forms of female alopecia. .5
method
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using relevant keywords and performing a thorough literature search across several databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. The study included female participants aged 18 years and younger with various types of hair loss undergoing PRP therapy and compared it with alternative treatments and a placebo. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by reviewers and consensus was achieved through a third reviewer if necessary. Subgroup analyzes were based on predefined criteria, and study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.
result
After removing duplicate records, animal studies, review articles, and non-English studies, a total of 21 studies published between 2015 and 2023 were included in the analysis. These studies have focused on various hair loss conditions such as AGA, TE, and FPHL. The majority of studies used PRP therapy alone or in combination with other treatments.
Researchers found that PRP treatment significantly reduced the number of hairs pulled out during tweezing tests and improved hair thickness and density compared to controls. However, they said the effects on hair count showed mixed results. Subgroup analysis showed that the greatest benefits in hair thickness and density were observed in CTE patients, those treated for more than six months, and those who received higher doses of PRP. Despite the significant results, there was evidence of publication bias, particularly regarding hair density and thickness. Although the risk of bias assessment found that the risk was generally low in most areas, the researchers said some concerns remained. The review stated that adverse events associated with PRP treatment are mild and temporary, such as headaches and scalp discomfort.
conclusion
This review shows that PRP therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for hair loss in women, demonstrating significant improvements in hair density and thickness while minimizing the side effect profile. got it. This treatment, which utilizes the body’s natural growth factors to enhance hair follicle activity, is a promising alternative to traditional treatments that can cause more severe adverse events. The results of this study highlight the effectiveness of PRP in managing hair loss due to conditions such as AGA, TE, and FPHL, especially when administered in large doses over a long period of time. In particular, the effectiveness of PRP treatment depends on factors such as treatment duration, injection volume, and potential genetic or environmental influences.
Despite the promising results, the researchers said the wide variation in study methods and possible publication bias suggest further research is needed. They suggested that future studies should aim to standardize PRP preparation and application protocols, investigate long-term effects, and explore combination therapies to optimize treatment outcomes. According to this review, addressing these research gaps is critical to establishing PRP as a mainstream and reliable solution to hair loss in women.
References
Shapiro J, Sicco KL, Otberg N, et al. Hair removal and recovery. CRC Press. 2024. Ramadan AA, Khalil HM. Trichoscopic comparison of telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia. Duhok Med J. 2023; 17(1): 51-63. Pixley JN, Cook MK, Singh R, et al. A comprehensive review of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of skin diseases. J Dermatolog Treat. 2023;34(1):2142035. doi:10.1080/09546634.2022.2142035 Zhou S, Qi F, Gong Y, et al. Platelet-rich plasma in androgenic alopecia in women: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:642980. 2021. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.642980 Yuan J, He Y, Wan H, et al. Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of hair loss in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. skinless technology. 2024;30(8):e70004. doi:10.1111/srt.70004
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