Standardization of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) and its effects on androgenic hair loss

ABSTRACT

Androgenic alopecia (AGA), as the most common cause of hair loss, is a chronic process that affects 80% of men and 50% of women throughout life. Existing and approved treatments for this condition are limited, and unfortunately, the length of treatment is long, while its efficacy is not much suitable. Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) autologous therapy is based on the delivery of a pool of bioactive molecules impressive for the treatment of AGA.

Thirteen patients were included in this study. Our patients were evaluated in two groups: the first group was injected once and the second group was injected thrice, then evaluated for the number and diameter of the hair.

Both groups of patients showed hopeful results so that in the first group hairs number and thickness increased by 9–54% and 11–76% respectively (p < .01). For patients who underwent PRGF injection thrice, the increases in hairs number and thickness were remarkably higher with an average of 211 and 221 respectively (p < .001). No adverse effect was reported in any patient.

Our results revealed that PRGF platelet concentration using a higher volume of blood compared to previous protocols has higher effectiveness in treating AGA. However, more randomized clinical studies with longer follow up courses as well as larger sample sizes are needed to standardize an optimum protocol for PRGF based treatments.

KEYWORDS:

• Androgenetic alopecia
• plasma rich in growth factors
• hair loss