Platelet-Rich Plasma Accelerates Donor Area Healing After Follicular Unit Excision: A Prospective Study.

[BACKGROUND] Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely used in regenerative medicine due to its high concentration of platelets and growth factors that promote tissue repair and angiogenesis. In hair transplantation, PRP has mainly been studied as an adjunct for hair growth, whereas its effect on donor-area wound healing after follicular unit excision (FUE) remains insufficiently documented.

[OBJECTIVE] To evaluate the effect of PRP on donor-area wound healing, after FUE harvesting.

[METHODS] Nineteen healthy male patients aged 30 to 59 years with no prior hair transplantation were enrolled. Two equal 1 cm2 areas were marked in the occipital donor region. Follicular units were harvested using a 1.1-mm sharp motorized punch. One area received an intradermal injection of 0.1-mL PRP prepared by single-spin centrifugation at 3,500 rpm for 12 minutes, whereas the contralateral area served as control. Wound surface areas were assessed immediately and 24 hours postharvesting, using image analysis. Statistical analysis was performed on 49 wounds.

[RESULTS] After 24 hours, mean wound surface reduction was 21.3% in the control group and 49.95% in the PRP-treated group (p < .001).

[CONCLUSION] PRP significantly accelerates donor-area wound healing after FUE harvesting.