Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become a hot commodity in the multibillion-dollar hair-loss treatment industry, but there is no gold standard for how to prepare or administer the highly technique-dependent treatment, which creates plenty of room for suboptimal results, according to several experts at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

“The process is the product,” emphasized Terrence Keaney, MD, clinical associate professor at George Washington School of Medicine in Washington, DC, as well as cofounder of SkinDC, a private practice in Arlington, Virginia. He characterized PRP as a “growth factor cytokine cocktail,” for which relative benefits are fully dependent on the ingredients.

In other words, the efficacy of PRP is mostly dependent on the multiple steps in which blood drawn from a patient is separated into its components, processed to create a platelet-rich product, and then administered to the patient by injection or in conjunction with microneedles. While the goal is a platelet concentration two- to fivefold greater than that found in whole blood, this is not as straightforward as it sounds.

Many PRP Device Kits Available

“There are a ton of [centrifuge] devices on the market and a lot of differences in the methodology in optimizing the platelet concentration,” Keaney explained. In addition, there are numerous proprietary collection tubes using different types of anticoagulants and different separator gels that also play a role in the goal of optimizing a platelet-rich and readily activated product.

“Recognize that each step in the preparation of PRP introduces a source of variation that affects the composition and efficacy of the final product,” said Steven Krueger, MD, who is completing his residency in dermatology at the University of Massachusetts, Worcester, but who has become an expert in the field. He contributed a chapter on this topic in the recently published book, Aesthetic Clinician’s Guide to Platelet Rich Plasma.

The importance of technique is reflected in inconsistent results from published controlled trials. Unfortunately, the authors of many studies have failed to provide details of their protocol. Ultimately, Krueger said this lack of clarity among available protocols has created a serious obstacle for establishing which steps are important and how to move the field forward.

Keaney agreed. Because of the frequent lack of details about how PRP was processed in available studies, the effort to draw conclusions about the experiences at different centers is like “comparing apples to oranges.”

“What is the ideal dose and concentrate? We don’t know,” Keaney said.

The first centrifuge device to receive regulatory approval was developed for orthopedic indications more than 20 years ago. There are now at least 20 centrifuge devices with 510K FDA clearance for separating blood components to produce PRP. The 510K designation means that they are “substantially equivalent” to an already approved device, but Krueger cautioned that their use in preparing PRP for treatment of hair loss remains off-label.

Substandard Devices Are Marketed

In the rapidly expanding world of PRP, there is also a growing array of PRP kits. Some of these kits have been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but others have not. Krueger warned that collection tubes are being marketed that are substandard imitations of better-established products. He specifically cautioned against do-it-yourself PRP kits, which are likely to be less effective for isolating platelets and can also be contaminated with pyogenes that cause infection.

“Please use an FDA-cleared kit,” he said, warning that the risk of failing to do so is not just associated with lack of efficacy but also a significant risk of serious adverse events.

Of the centrifuge devices, both Krueger and Keaney generally recommend single-spin over double-spin devices, particularly at centers with a limited volume of PRP-based hair loss interventions. These are generally simpler.

Once properly prepared, the efficacy of PRP upon application can also be influenced by strategies for activation. Although the exact mechanism of PRP in stimulating hair growth is incompletely defined, the role of platelets in releasing growth factors is believed to be critical. There are a number of methods to stimulate platelets upon administration, such as exposure to endogenous collagen or thrombin or exogenous chemicals, such as calcium chloride, but again, techniques differ and the optimal approach is unknown.

One concern is the recent and largely unregulated growth of regenerative cell and tissue products for treating a large array of clinical disorders or cosmetic issues, according to Keaney. He warned of a “wild, wild west mentality” that has attracted providers with inadequate training and experience. In turn, this is now attracting the attention of the FDA as well as those involved in enforcing FDA directives.

“There is definitely more scrutiny of regenerative products,” he said, noting that he is careful about how he markets PRP. While it is reasonable to offer this off-label treatment as an in-office procedure, he noted that it is illegal to advertise off-label products. He reported that he has become more prudent when including this option among hair regrowth services provided in his practice.

Omar E. Ibrahim, MD, a dermatologist affiliated with Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, agreed. While he also feels there is good evidence to support PRP as a hair loss treatment option, particularly for androgenic alopecia, he also expressed caution about promoting this approach in exclusion of other options.

“Patients ask me for a PRP consultation, but there is no such thing as a PRP consultation in my practice,” Ibrahim said. He incorporates PRP into other strategies. “I stress that it is one part of a multipronged approach,” he added.

Ibrahim has reported financial relationships with Alastin Skincare, Allergan, Eclipse Medical, Galderma USA, and Revision Skincare. Keaney has reported financial relationships with Allergan, DermTech, Evolus, Galderma USA, Merz Aesthetics, Revance Therapeutics, and Syneron Candela. Krueger has reported no relevant financial relationships.

American Academy of Dermatology 2022. Presented March 25, 2022.

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