I am concerned about the side effects of steroid.
Thank you for your question! From my personal experience, steroid injections work really well for alopecia areata (AA), and are the gold standard for treatment of AA. One treatment may be all that you need. With that being said, depressions can occasionally occur with steroids depending on the concentration used, but resolve with time. PRP also seems to work well for alopecia areata. Both work differently, with steroids suppressing the immune system and preventing T cells from affecting the hair follicles, while PRP provides the growth factors for hair regrowth. Keep in mind though that PRP treatments will be more expensive than intralesional steroid injections.All the best,Dr. Bobby
I would first recommend a thorough evaluation from a qualified hair restoration physician to confirm AA. In my practice we routinely use steroid injections as a first line therapy. They are supported by robust evidence, can work very well even after a single treatment, and are very affordable. There is a risk of thinning of the skin however if done on the right areas of the scalp and if not done too often in the same area, then in my experience the results are very satisfying. Though safe, PRP for use in AA is an emerging science is not proven to be more effective than steroids.