Synergistic effect of platelet-rich plasma injections and scalp lifting in androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common hair loss disorder, especially in men and the elderly. In this study, we analyzed the therapeutic effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and embedded sutures in patients with AGA. In each participant, we administered different treatments in one area of hair loss that was divided into four sections. Each section received one of the following treatments: No treatment, PRP injection, suture embedding, and combined PRP injection/suture-embedded areas. The thickness of the scalp, and scalp perfusion were measured using an ultrasound imaging system and Moor FLPI full-field laser perfusion imaging system, respectively. The diameters of the hair were measured using optical microscopy. Our results show that PRP injection treatments increased the diameter of the hair (P = 0.034), and the combined PRP injection/suture-embedded treatments had a significant effect on the thickness of the scalp (P = 0.002), the blood flow (P = 0.014) through the scalp, and the diameter of the hair (P = 0.013). This study has demonstrated that there is a synergistic effect between PRP injections and suture embedding for increasing the thickness and blood flow of the scalp, and diameter of the hair. Combined PRP injection/suture-embedded PRP injections might have therapeutic benefit for patients with AGA.