Effect of platelet counts and activator in platelet-rich plasma on the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, split-head comparison: A randomised, double-blind study.

Background Androgenetic alopecia is a common, chronic, non-scarring alopecia. It is characterised by stepwise miniaturisation of the hair follicles, due to alteration in the hair cycle dynamics, leading to the transformation of terminal hair follicles into a vellus ones. Oral finasteride and topical minoxidil are the only approved drugs for treating this condition. Due to a limited number of effective therapies for androgenetic alopecia, platelet-rich plasma may be an effective alternative treatment. Aims To study the effect of activator in platelet-rich plasma and baseline platelet count in platelet-rich plasma on the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Methods A randomised, double-blind split-head comparative study. The sample size was calculated and randomisation was done. Patients with androgenetic alopecia were allocated into two groups; in the first group, autologous activated platelet-rich plasma was injected in the right half of the affected scalp and autologous non-activated platelet-rich plasma was injected in the left half of the affected scalp and vice versa in the second group. Patients were also categorised on the basis of platelet counts in their platelet-rich plasma in three groups; group A (6-8 lakh/mm3), group B (8.1-10 lakh/mm3) and group C (>10 lakh/mm3). Interventions were done monthly for three months and followed up for the next three months. Effects of interventions were assessed by hair density, hair thickness, patient self-assessment and clinical photography. Results A total of 80 patients were included in the study. Activated platelet-rich plasma produced significant improvement of hair density after four months and hair thickness at 6 months. An increase in platelet count led to a significant increase in hair density and hair thickness after three and four months respectively and a highly significant increase in both parameters at the end of the study. Limitations Long-term follow-up of cases was not done and no measurement of vellus hair count was done. Conclusion There is a significant effect of activator and platelet count of the platelet-rich plasma on hair density as well as hair thickness.

Clinical and metabolic characteristics of males with early-onset androgenetic alopecia.

Background Men with early-onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA) often have an abnormal hormonal milieu. Objective To ascertain the clinico-phenotypic characteristics and the prevalence of hormonal and metabolic changes in men with early-onset AGA. Methods Consecutive male patients less than 30 years of age with a Norwood-Hamilton grade ≥3 AGA were recruited in this comparative cross-sectional study. After endocrine evaluation they were classified into two groups, that is, Group A consisting of subjects with an altered hormonal profile and Group B with normal hormonal profiles. The groups were assessed for differences in disease phenotype and severity (Norwood-Hamilton grade), insulin resistance and parameters of metabolic syndrome (ATP III guidelines). Results Altered hormonal profiles were seen in 34 of the 100 subjects with AGA, while insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome were noted in 44 and 26 respectively. Altered hormonal profiles were significantly associated with insulin resistance and severe alopecia (grade 4 and above Hamilton-Norwood Scale). Insulin resistant Group A patients had a significantly higher prevalence of severe alopecia (>grade 4) (P = 0.0036). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was similar in both groups. Limitation The cross sectional study design was a drawback of this study. Further, a control arm without AGA was not included and the sample size of 100 was selected arbitrarily. Conclusion An altered hormonal profile and insulin resistance was noted in a third of the males with early-onset AGA. Subjects with altered hormonal profiles had a higher prevalence of insulin resistance and were likely to have severe grades of AGA.

Dermatologic care of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community of India.

Background In the Indian subcontinent, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, commonly referred to as the third gender or transgender, is expected to exceed one million by 2030. Data on dermatologic conditions of the transgender population is deficient. Aims This study aimed to identify the common dermatological concerns and dermatologic procedures of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community of India. Methods This cross-sectional survey analysed the transgender participants of a non-institutionalised population in India via health camps that included 51 adult participants who self-identified as trans men and trans women. Results This study included 51 participants aged 20-49 years, of which the majority (94%) were trans women. The common dermatological problems were terminal hairs over the face, beard distribution, androgenetic alopecia, scars of gender-affirming surgeries, facial melanosis with topical steroid damaged skin and the need for facial feminisation procedures among trans women, while trans men had testosterone-related acne, androgenetic alopecia. Overall, 40.6% of participants reported dissatisfaction with one or more of their body parts. Laser hair removal was the most common gender-affirming dermatologic procedure. Conclusion This study provides an essential overview of the common dermatological conditions and procedures in the Indian lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons have insufficient access to dermatological services due to inadequate exposure and fear of discrimination. Even though transgender patients also present with similar dermatologic conditions as the general population, they have distinct cosmetic and treatment concerns during the period of transition owing to hormone-related or surgery-related changes. Addressing these challenges through enhancing dermatology residency training programs should be the focus of tomorrow. Limitations Considering convenience sampling and representative bias, further studies need to be conducted involving multiple study locations and larger sample sizes.

Comparison of efficacy of platelet-rich plasma therapy with or without topical 5% minoxidil in male-type baldness: A randomized, double-blind placebo control trial.

BACKGROUND: Male-type baldness is a common chronic hair loss disorder among males. Male type baldness is characterized by stepwise miniaturization of the hair follicle, due to alteration in the hair cycle dynamics, leading to transformation of the terminal hair follicle into a vellus one. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) seems to be a new technique which may improve hair regrowth. We planned a randomized, double-blinded placebo control trial to see the efficacy of PRP with and without topical minoxidil and to compare with placebo and standard treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design was a randomized, double-blind placebo control trial. The sample size was calculated, and randomization was done. Patients with male type baldness were allocated into four groups; first group topical minoxidil only, the second group PRP with minoxidil, the third group normal saline (NS), and fourth group PRP only. Interventions were done monthly for 3 months and patients were followed up for the next 2 months. Effects of interventions were assessed by hair density, patient self-assessment, and clinical photography. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were included. The maximum improvement was found in PRP with minoxidil group. Increase in hair density (in descending order) was PRP with minoxidil group, PRP-alone group, minoxidil-alone group, while a decrease in hair density was found in NS group, after 5 months. The maximum patient satisfaction was found in PRP with minoxidil group followed by (in descending order), PRP-alone group, minoxidil-alone group, and NS group. LIMITATION: Long-term follow up of patients was not done. Hair counts and hair thickness estimation were not estimated. CONCLUSION: In our study, we found PRP with topical minoxidil is more effective than PRP alone and topical minoxidil alone.

Utility of trichoscopy to diagnose early female pattern hair loss in resource-poor setting: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Trichoscopy is a reliable instrument for diagnosis and for tracking therapy-related changes in female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Videodermoscopic diagnosis of FPHL has been established, which requires fine measurements of hair-related parameters; the method requires an expensive equipment/digital program. AIM: To determine whether a low-cost, simple USB dermoscope can ascertain the hair-related changes in early FPHL. METHODS: An age-matched, cross-sectional study was performed over 3 years on subjects with less than 6-month history of hair loss and without an obvious broadening of midline hair parting. Trichoscopic analysis of the frontal and occipital scalp of the study subjects were performed, using a USB-connected dermoscope. The subjects were analyzed for the presence of microscopic hair changes in the form of anisotrichosis, vellus-like hair, single hair follicle unit, peri-pilar sign and yellow dots. RESULTS: A total of 230 cases and 230 controls were analyzed. The dermoscopic hair changes were found to be significantly associated with the frontal scalp zone of cases. LIMITATIONS: Histopathological evaluation of the cases was not done. CONCLUSION: Microscopic changes recorded with the help of a simple USB dermoscope are helpful in establishing a diagnosis of FPHL even in early disease.

Hair manifestations of endocrine diseases: A brief review.

Hair disorders are common in clinical practice and depending upon social and ethnic norms, it can cause significant psychosocial distress. Hair growth, cycling and density are regulated by many endogenous factors, mainly circulating hormones. Thus, diseases affecting the endocrine system can cause varied changes in physiological hair growth and cycling. Diagnosis and treatment of these disorders require a multidisciplinary approach involving a dermatologist, gynecologist and an endocrinologist. In this review, we briefly discuss the influence of hormones on the hair cycle and hair changes in various endocrine disorders.

The effectiveness of adding low-level light therapy to minoxidil 5% solution in the treatment of patients with androgenetic alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia is the commonest type of alopecia affecting over half of men and women. Low-level light therapy is a new technique for stimulating hair growth in both genders. AIMS: To overcome the shortcomings of previous epidemiological studies and a lack of controlled clinical trials on the subject, this study compared the effectiveness of adding low-level light therapy to minoxidil topical solution in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in patients presenting to two skin clinics in Isfahan, Iran during 2014-2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial included 50 patients aged 17-45 presenting to Khorshid and Alzahra educational centers and skin diseases research center for androgenetic alopecia during 2014-2015. The patients were randomly divided into a control and a case group. The case group received topical minoxidil 5% solution plus low-level light therapy twice per day. The control group was given the same topical solution and a laser comb system that was turned off to act as a placebo. Changes in patients' hair density and diameter and its overall regrowth as well as their satisfaction with the treatment were assessed at months 0 (baseline), 3, 6, 9 and 12. RESULTS: The percentage of recovery from androgenetic alopecia and the patients' satisfaction with their treatment were significantly higher in the case group compared to the control group. The patients' mean hair density and diameter were found to be higher in the case group after the intervention compared to the control group. LIMITATIONS: The study limitations included patient compliance, small sample size, patient insight due to novelty of the method and clinical judgement. CONCLUSION: As a new method of treatment, low-level light therapy can help improve the percentage of recovery from androgenetic alopecia and increase patients' satisfaction with their treatment.