Clinical Trials

See below for our clinical trials that are currently enrolling patients:

A Prospective, Single-Center, Pilot Study in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia to Investigate Variables Affecting the Efficacy of a Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Protocol on Reversing Hair Miniaturization.

Purpose of the research

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common form of patterned hair loss in both men and women. In men, hair is usually lost in a well-defined pattern, beginning above both temples and is typically referred to as male pattern hair loss. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic ‘M’ shape. Hair also thins near the top of the head, often progressing to partial or complete baldness.

The pattern of hair loss in women differs from men (female pattern hair loss). In women, the hair becomes thinner all over the head, and the hairline does not recede. Androgenetic alopecia in women rarely leads to total baldness.

A variety of genetic and environmental factors likely play a role in causing this condition. The inheritance pattern of androgenetic alopecia is unclear because many genetic and environmental factors are likely to be involved. This condition tends to cluster in families, however, and having a close relative with patterned hair loss appears to be a risk factor for developing the condition.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is commonly treated using medical therapy with minoxidil, finasteride or dutasteride. Minoxidil is a drug that lengthens the active growth phase of the hair follicles by increasing the blood supply. Finasteride and dutasteride are medications that block a sex hormone (dihydrotestosterone, DHT) that can cause hair loss.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is another treatment being used for the treatment of AGA. With PRP, the patient’s own plasma or liquid portion of the whole blood is mechanically centrifuged to increase the concentration of platelets compared to the whole blood. The basic idea behind PRP injection is to deliver to the patient’s scalp a high concentration of growth stimulating substances (growth factors) that are in the liquid portion of blood to the scalp, with the hope of stimulating hair regrowth.

PRP therapy is commonly used for hair growth, but doctors do the procedure in different ways. There is not a standard method to make the PRP injection or to perform the procedure. For this reason, it is very difficult to compare how successful PRP therapy is between different doctors and different practices.

This gap has led to the current study, which is aimed at investigating the factors that affect PRP results. We specifically want to know what role the concentrations of PRP have in reversing hair loss.

Are you eligible?

Patients with either male pattern or female pattern hair loss who are over the age of 18 years and have not had PRP in our practice before are eligible for this study.

Patients who have started or stopped a medication for their hair loss less than a year ago are not eligible.

Patients who had a hair transplant less than two years from starting PRP therapy will be excluded.

Also, patients who have a medical condition or are taking medication that can cause hair loss will not be enrolled in this study.

Benefits

The PRP injection procedure will cost the usual physician rate; however, a rebate will be offered at each follow-up visit. In addition, more advanced photographs will be taken for patients who participate in this study. Study patients will be able to view these images and see if there is any progress using this advanced technology. Participants in this research study may experience hair regrowth after treatment of the scalp with PRP; however, no hair growth benefits of this procedure are guaranteed or promised.

The PRP injection procedure will be performed by either Dr. Robin Unger or Dr. Zinaria Williams.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact us for a consultation with Dr. Robin Unger or Dr. Zinaria Williams.