The role of procedures used in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia - a literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2026.90.70145Keywords
androgenetic alopecia, platelet rich plasma, hair transplantation, hair loss, AGA treatment, microneedlingAbstract
The aim of the thesis is a review and critical analysis of invasive methods for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA), including platelet- rich plasma therapy (PRP), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), microneedling (MN), hair transplantation and mesotherapy. The paper analyzed the results of randomized clinical trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses published over the past twelve years, with particular emphasis on safety indicators and the durability of effects. The results of available studies indicate that invasive treatment methods can lead to a significant improvement in hair density and quality, especially when an appropriate selected combination therapy is used. However, the effectiveness of individual technique varies, and their application requires appropriate patient qualification and consideration of the risk of complications. In conclusion, invasive methods for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia represent a promising therapeutic approach; nevertheless, further high-quality clinical studies are necessary to optimize treatment protocols and evaluate long-term outcomes.
References
1. Qiu, Yueqi, et al. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Androgenetic Alopecia. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, vol. 102, 8 Feb. 2022, p. adv00645, https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v101.1012.
2. Pawlik, Wiktoria, et al. Hair Loss Therapies: A Review and Comparison of Traditional and Modern Treatment Methods. Journal of Education Health and Sport, vol. 75, 25 Nov. 2024, p. 56191, www.researchgate.net/publication/386161456_Hair_loss_therapies_a_review_and_comparison_of_traditional_and_modern_treatment_methods, https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2024.75.56191.
3. Aukerman, Erica L., and Mohammad Jafferany. The Psychological Consequences of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 22, no. 1, 25 Apr. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14983.
4. Piraccini, B. M., and A. Alessandrini. Androgenetic Alopecia. Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia: Organo Ufficiale, Societa Italiana Di Dermatologia E Sifilografia, vol. 149, no. 1, 1 Feb. 2014, pp. 15–24, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24566563/.
5. Müller Ramos, Paulo, et al. Female Pattern Hair Loss: Therapeutic Update. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, vol. 98, no. 4, Mar. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abd.2022.09.006.
6. Fertig, Raymond M, et al. Sexual Side Effects of 5-α-Reductase Inhibitors Finasteride and Dutasteride: A Comprehensive Review. Dermatology Online Journal, vol. 23, no. 11, 2017, https://doi.org/10.5070/d32311037240.
7. Traish, Abdulmaged M. Post-Finasteride Syndrome: A Surmountable Challenge for Clinicians. Fertility and Sterility, vol. 113, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2020, pp. 21–50, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32033719/, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.11.030.
8. Paichitrojjana A, Paichitrojjana A. Platelet Rich Plasma and Its Use in Hair Regrowth: A Review. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 2022;Volume 16:635-645. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s356858.
9. Alves R, Grimalt R. A Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma: History, Biology, Mechanism of Action, and Classification. Skin Appendage Disorders. 2018;4(1):18-24. doi:https://doi.org/10.1159/000477353.
10. View of Non-Pharmacological Therapies in the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia – a Literature Review. Apcz.umk.pl, 2026, apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/56966/41068. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
11. STL Volume 24 Number 5. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Current Applications in Dermatology. Skin Therapy Letter. Published October 2019. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.skintherapyletter.com/acne/platelet-rich-plasma-prp/
12. Pillai J, Mysore V. Role of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in androgenetic alopecia. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2021;14(4):385. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/jcas.jcas_218_20.
13. Wall D, Meah N, Fagan N, York K, Sinclair R. Advances in hair growth. Faculty Reviews. 2022;11. doi:https://doi.org/10.12703/r/11-1.
14. Ahmed KMA, Kozaa YA, Abuawwad MT, et al. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of combined microneedling therapy versus topical Minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2025;317(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-025-04032-1.
15. Kaiser M, Abdin R, Gaumond SI, Issa NT, Jimenez JJ. Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: Current Guidance and Unmet Needs. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2023;Volume 16:1387-1406. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s385861.
16. Zito PM, Raggio BS. Hair Transplantation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547740/
17. Reguero del Cura L, De Quintana Sancho A, Rubio Lombraña M, López Sundh AE, González López MA. Two Cases of Paradoxical Nonscarring Alopecia after Mesotherapy with Dutasteride. Skin Appendage Disorders. Published online August 18, 2021:1-3. doi:https://doi.org/10.1159/000518043.
18. Gupta, Aditya K, et al. Systematic Review of Mesotherapy: A Novel Avenue for the Treatment of Hair Loss. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, vol. 34, no. 1, 9 Aug. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2023.2245084.
19. Mysore V, Muthuvel Kumaresan, Shuken Dashore, Aniketh Venkatram. Combination and rotational therapy in androgenetic alopecia. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2023;16(2):71-80. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/jcas.jcas_212_22.
20. Vasudevan B, Neema S, Ghosh K, Singh S, Khera A. Hair transplantation by follicular unit extraction for male androgenetic alopecia: A retrospective observational study from two centers. Medical Journal Armed Forces India. 2020;76(4):430-437. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mjafi.2019.11.001.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Jagienka Perzyńska, Weronika Bagińska, Urszula Załuska, Kinga Krzyżowska, Jaśmina Podkościelna, Kamila Ryszkowska, Natalia Pawelec

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The periodical offers access to content in the Open Access system under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 5
Number of citations: 0