Can PRP be used to treat traction alopecia?

Question

I am 31 years old and my edges were damaged a few years ago from braiding and tight hair styles. They never grew back, I'm now looking for a solution to this problem. The area is bald and shinny. your advice will help a lot with decisions on my way forward. Thank you.

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

Success of Traction  alopecia  treatment  with PRP of "edges" depends on the length of time the alopecia has been present. Over time, traction alopecia becomes a scarring Alopecia and the follicles are lost. PRP cannot bring back follicles that are scarred. In practice, if one has "wispy" small hairs in the area, then it may be possible for PRP treatment to have a beneficial effect. If there are no hairs and the area is shiny bald, it may be difficult to restore the hair with PRP. Hair transplantation can be helpful in these patients.Jeff Rapaport MDCore Aesthetic Realself

Emrah Cinik, MD · Answer

PRP is not a solution for scarring Alopecia, a hair transplantation will be more effective .

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

The effectiveness of PRP depends upon a number of factors. In the case of traction alopecia, the question is one of timing. The natural progression of longstanding traction alopecia is a transition from sparse hair to no growth or scarring alopecia.Scarring alopecia will not respond to PRP treatments regardless. If there are no viable follicles in the area to impact there is no effect of the growth factors in PRP.  You may be better suited in this case to consider FUE transplantation.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS) with experience in hair restoration.

Joseph MacDonald, MD · Answer

Unfortunately PRP is not likely to regrow hair in those bald areas. The only permanent solution is a hair transplant surgery which works very well for traction alopecia cases.

Can PRP be used to treat traction alopecia?

Answers (4)

Answer: Traction Alopecia and PRP

Answer: Traction Alopecia and PRP

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Can PRP be used to treat traction alopecia?

Answers (4)

Answer: Traction Alopecia and PRP

Answer: Traction Alopecia and PRP

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about PRP for Hair Loss

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.