A randomized blinded retrospective study: the combined use of micro-needling technique, low-level laser therapy and autologous non-activated platelet-rich plasma improves hair re-growth in patients with androgenic alopecia

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Mini-invasive therapies based on autologous non-activated Platelet-Rich Plasma (ANA-PRP), Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLL-T), and Micro-Needling Technique (MN-T) used in combining for hair re-growth need to be standardized.

Objectives

The work aims to show in vivo outcomes resulted from retrospective case-series study in which ANA-PRP + MN-T + LLL-T were used in combined in patients affected by Androgenic alopecia.

Methods

23 patients were treated, of which 13 males were classified in stage I–V by the Norwood–Hamilton scale, and 10 females were classified in stage I–III by the Ludwig scale. Assessment of hair re-growth was evaluated with photography, physician’s and patient’s global assessment scale, and standardized phototrichograms during a follow-up: T0 – baseline, T1 – 12 weeks, T2 – 23 weeks, T3 – 44 weeks, T4 – 58 weeks.

Results

Interesting outcomes represented by a hair density increase of 81 ± 5 hairs/cm² and 57 ± 7 hairs/cm² respectively at T1 and T2 compared with baseline (173 ± 5 hairs/cm² at T1 and 149 ± 9 hairs/cm² at T2 versus 92 ± 2 hairs/cm² at baseline) were observed using computerized trichograms.

Expert Opinion

The main limitation in the autologous regenerative therapies and biotechnologies in hair-regrowth is the extreme variability of PRP products used, in the absence of standardized protocols and widely shared. Appropriate PRP preparations have to be pick after carefully thinking about their bio-molecular specifications and intended indications for use in patients. This approach will aid in matching the optimal PRP product to specific patient factors, leading to improved outcomes and the elucidation of the cost-effectiveness of this treatment.

The combined use of biotechnologies as the association of PRP with micro-needling and low-level laser therapy may improve the results in terms of hair count and hair density compared with those obtained by alone PRP. All the procedures must be performed in the full respect of international and local rules.

Conclusions

The effect of the combined use of MN-T, LLL-T, and ANA-PRP has been demonstrated.

KEYWORDS:

• Hair re-growth PRP
• platelet-rich plasma
• PRP
• micro-needling
• low-level laser therapy
• LLL-T therapy
• regenerative plastic surgery

Authors’ contributions

P.G. was the leader and principal author of this paper, performing the methodology, conceptualization, formal analysis, validation, investigation, data curation, writing—original draft preparation, writing—review and editing, acquisition funding and resources and project administration; B.D.A., and J.P. contributed resources and were involved in data curation and visualization; L.D. contributed analysis of European and Italian rules; S.G. contributed resources, data curation, validation, review, and editing. All authors made substantial contributions to concept and design of the study, revised the manuscript, and gave their approval to the final version of the manuscript.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge all parties that participated in this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This article was not funded.