A Mechanistic Model of Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a novel procedure used to treat androgenetic alopecia (AGA). OBJECTIVE: Propose a mechanism of action of PRP therapy for AGA. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A thorough literature search including PRP research for AGA therapy as well as PRP research in other areas of medicine was conducted. RESULTS: A mechanistic model for the action of PRP on the hair follicle was created. CONCLUSION: Platelet-rich plasma therapy stimulates hair growth through the promotion of vascularization and angiogenesis, as well as encourages hair follicles to enter and extend the duration of the anagen phase of the growth cycle. The process is accomplished through growth factor-mediated increased activation of wingless (Wnt)/β-catenin, extracellular signaling regulated kinase (ERK), and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways, which leads to the necessary cellular proliferation and differentiation.