Dermatology Online Journal

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a chronic, progressive condition affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Treatment modalities for AGA are limited and our understanding of the pathophysiology underlying the disease is still developing. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an autologous collection of concentrated platelets and their respective growth factors, has demonstrated efficacy in limiting AGA. The current understanding of AGA pathogenesis is summarized, including our current understanding regarding androgens, inflammation, and arrector pili muscle loss. Furthermore, the molecular pathways induced by PRP in the context of AGA are discussed to ascertain how PRP can prevent disease progression. Well-designed studies investigating the effect of PRP on AGA patients to provide insight on how PRP should be used to achieve consistent clinical results are also presented. Future investigations should focus on elucidating a unifying theory to connect the currently disparate avenues of AGA pathogenesis. PRP clinical trials should be based on standardized treatment protocols to establish generalizable results.