A Prospective Comparative Study of Platelet-Rich Plasma versus Exosome Therapy in Non –Scarring Alopecia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63666/ejsmr.1694-9013.4.I.2026.95Keywords:
androgenetic alopecia, platelet-rich plasma, exosome therapy, exosomes, PRP, hair loss, hair density, hair regrowth, regenerative medicine, alopecia treatmentAbstract
Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and exosome therapy are regenerative treatments for androgenetic alopecia. PRP uses autologous growth factors, while exosomes deliver bioactive molecules for potentially faster hair regrowth.
Objective: To compare efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of PRP versus exosome therapy in alopecia.
Methods: A Prospective observational study with 140 observations (70 PRP, 70 exosome) from adults with non-scarring alopecia (74.3% androgenetic). Participants received either PRP therapy, administered via both intradermal injection and microneedling, or exosome therapy, which was delivered exclusively through microneedling at sessions 1, 3, and 6 months. Outcomes were assessed by hair density, shedding, new hair growth, side effects, patient satisfaction level (0–10 scale). Data was analyzed with chi-square and t-tests.
Results: Exosome therapy showed superior tolerability (pain: 1.4% vs 98.6% in PRP, p<0.001). Moderate-to-significant improvement in hair density was higher with exosomes (61.4% vs 35.7%, p=0.004) and shedding reduction (57.1% vs 38.6%, p=0.042). New hair growth (71.4% vs 54.3%) and visible improvement within 1–3 months (45.7% vs 21.4%, p=0.003) favored exosomes. Satisfaction was higher (5.7 ± 1.7 vs 4.5 ± 1.8, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Exosome therapy demonstrated better tolerability, faster results, greater efficacy, and higher satisfaction than PRP for alopecia. Randomized trials are needed.
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