ABSTRACT
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood-derived product with increased platelet concentrations as a result of centrifugation. The effects of PRP are believed to be due to platelet activation and platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs). PRP additives have been speculated to increase treatment efficacy. Pain is a common complication of scalp PRP therapy with contributing factors including injection site pain and pain secondary to edema from the volume of plasma introduced to the scalp. Multiple options for anesthesia exist to lessen the PRP-associated pain burden. The size of the needle utilized during the procedure impacts both procedure pain and potentially treatment efficacy. Many protocols for treatment of various alopecias have been reported in the literature. The more common adverse events from PRP injections are pain and bleeding. The pain typically lasts the duration of the injections, though some patients may have residual headache or local throbbing pain.
