Platelet-rich Plasma Therapy for Hair Loss

Overseen By Research Coordinator

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Must not be taking: Anticoagulants

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Infections, Anemia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for treating hair loss, specifically male pattern hair loss in females. PRP, derived from a person's own blood, aids in hair regrowth. Participants will receive PRP on one side of their scalp and a placebo (a harmless solution) on the other to compare results. Women diagnosed with androgenic alopecia who are not currently on any hair loss treatments might be suitable for this study. As an Early Phase 1 trial, this research aims to understand how PRP therapy works in people, offering participants the chance to be among the first to explore this innovative treatment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are currently taking medication for alopecia (hair loss), you will need to stop and have a 2-week period without it before joining the trial. If you are on anticoagulant therapy, you cannot participate in the trial.

Is there any evidence suggesting that platelet-rich plasma therapy is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is generally safe for treating hair loss. In one study, patients reported no side effects after receiving PRP injections. Another study found that PRP positively affected male pattern hair loss and noted no major side effects. Overall, moderate evidence supports PRP's safety and effectiveness in increasing hair thickness and reducing hair loss. Because PRP is made from the patient's own blood, it is usually well-tolerated with a low risk of negative reactions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is unique because it uses components from your own blood to potentially stimulate hair growth, which is different from standard treatments like minoxidil or finasteride. These traditional options often focus on hormonal pathways or topical solutions, but PRP directly injects concentrated platelets into the scalp, which may promote healing and hair follicle stimulation. Researchers are excited because PRP could offer a natural, targeted approach with fewer side effects, potentially leading to effective hair restoration in a more personalized manner.

What evidence suggests that platelet-rich plasma therapy might be an effective treatment for hair loss?

Studies have shown that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can improve hair growth and thickness in individuals with androgenic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern hair loss. Research indicates that PRP injections increase hair density more effectively than standard treatments. Other findings suggest that PRP not only promotes new hair growth but also prevents further hair loss. These results are promising for both men and women experiencing this type of hair loss. In this trial, participants will receive PRP on one side of the scalp and a placebo (saline solution) on the other, allowing for a direct comparison of PRP's effectiveness. Overall, PRP therapy is gaining attention for its potential to treat hair loss effectively. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Rita Pichardo, MD

Principal Investigator

Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women over 18 with androgenic alopecia who aren't currently treating their hair loss or have stopped treatments for at least two weeks. Participants must be able to follow the study's procedures and give written consent. Women can't join if they're pregnant, breastfeeding, have anemia, are on blood thinners, have certain skin conditions like psoriasis, infections or metastatic diseases.

Inclusion Criteria

I am not currently treating my hair loss, or I stopped any treatments at least 2 weeks ago.

I am a woman aged 18 or older.

Written informed consent obtained from subject and ability for subject to comply with the requirements of the study

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have infections, metastatic disease, or skin conditions like psoriasis that could worsen with injections.

I have been diagnosed with a blood or bleeding disorder.

I am currently taking blood thinners.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive PRP therapy once monthly for 3 months

12 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

12 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Platelet-rich Plasma

Trial Overview The trial is testing platelet-rich plasma therapy on either side of the scalp to see how effective it is in treating female pattern hair loss. Platelet-rich plasma is made from a participant's own blood.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group B Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

At the baseline visit subjects will be randomized to either group A or group B. Group B will receive PRP on right side of scalp and placebo (saline solution) on left side of scalp.

Group II: Group A Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

At the baseline visit subjects will be randomized to either group A or group B. Group A will receive PRP on left side of scalp and placebo (saline solution) on right side of scalp.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,432

Recruited

2,506,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is derived from a patient's own blood and contains a high concentration of platelets, which can enhance tissue regeneration.

PRP has shown effectiveness in treating various types of hair loss, including androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata, expanding its use beyond orthopedic applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Platelet Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Scarring Alopecia Due to Discoid Lupus Erythematosus. Polster, H., Kagha, K., Luke, J.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4622412/

The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth After 12 months, 4 patients reported progressive hair loss; this was more evident 16 months after the last treatment. Those four patients were re-treated. Our ...

2. my.clevelandclinic.org my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/dermatology-plastic-surgery/outcomes/904-platelet-rich-plasma-injections-for-hair-restoration-in-androgenic-alopecia

Platelet Rich Plasma Injections for Hair Restoration in ... Substantial evidence suggests that the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) improves hair growth and thickness in patients with androgenic alopecia, ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0365059624001363

Is autologous platelet-rich plasma capable of increasing ... Systematic reviews suggest that PRP increases mean hair density in male and female pattern hair loss and on alopecia areata.25, 26 Although some were ...

4. aafp.org aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2022/0100/p84.html

Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenic Alopecia Platelet-rich plasma injections more effectively increase hair density vs. usual treatment in men with androgenic alopecia.

5. hopkinsmedicine.org hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/plateletrich-plasma-prp-treatment

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections Hair Loss. PRP injections can be effective in treating male pattern baldness, both in preventing hair loss and promoting new hair growth. PRP can also aid in ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8922312/

Platelet Rich Plasma and Its Use in Hair Regrowth: A Review PRP is also considered a safe, effective, steroid sparing, and alternative treatment for alopecia areata. Moreover, there was evidence showing ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06239207

NCT06239207 | Efficacy and Safety of Exosomes Versus ... Exosomes are providing promising results in patients of androgenetic alopecia. Both PRP and exosome therapy has found to be effective in various studies across ...

8. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-025-01542-8

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Evidence Moderate evidence highlights that PRP is safe and effective in improving hair density, reducing hair loss, and enhancing clinical outcomes and ...