Faculty Bibliography

INTRODUCTION/UNASSIGNED:Although platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a widely used treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the impact of patient age on treatment efficacy remains underexplored. METHOD/UNASSIGNED:This retrospective study evaluated PRP outcomes in 57 AGA patients treated at NYU Langone Health, stratified into four age cohorts. Changes in trichometric hair density and width were measured from initial to final follow-up visits. Statistical significance and linear regression testing were determined using ANOVA and Rank-Based ANCOVA, respectively. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:While overall changes in density and width did not differ significantly across age groups, younger patients trended toward greater density gains. Furthermore, greater baseline hair width was predictive of smaller improvements in width, and significant interactions between age and the number of PRP sessions suggested that older individuals may require a greater number of treatments to attain results comparable to those seen in younger cohorts. Additionally, improvements in hair density were positively associated with the number of adjunctive therapies, as patients who received more concurrent treatments experienced greater gains. PRP was well tolerated across all age groups. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:These findings highlight the potential impact of patient age on PRP efficacy, informing counseling and treatment planning.

Monitoring both subjective and objective responses to alopecia treatment is critical for assessing patient perception and therapeutic efficacy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a widely used treatment for alopecia, particularly androgenetic alopecia (AGA), yet the correlation between patient-reported outcomes and trichometric measurements remains poorly defined. This retrospective study analyzed data from 56 alopecia patients treated with PRP at NYU Langone Health between November 2017 and March 2025. Patients were categorized as "improved," "stable," or "worse" based on self-assessments, and changes in hair density and width were evaluated over the course of PRP treatment. Spearman's rank correlation and Kruskal-Wallis Rank Sum Tests were used for statistical analysis. Results showed that patient-reported outcomes correlated significantly with changes in hair density (p = 0.0006), but not hair width (p = 0.2688). The greatest increase in hair density was observed in the "improved" group (+ 18.9 hairs/cm²), with a more modest gain in the "stable" group (+ 7.6 hairs/cm²), while the "worse" group experienced a decrease (- 19.7 hairs/cm²). Differences in density across all three groups were statistically significant (p = 0.0012), whereas width changes were not (p = 0.5009). Subgroup analysis of AGA patients yielded similar findings. These results suggest that patient perception aligns more closely with density changes than width changes. Combining subjective assessments with objective measurements enhances clinical decision-making, expectation management, and holistic evaluation of PRP treatment efficacy in alopecia patients.

Premature hair graying (PHG) is the early loss of natural hair color, influenced by genetic, biological, and environmental factors. This review discusses the significant psychological impacts of PHG and explores its underlying mechanisms, related health conditions, and available treatments. The review examines the roles of genetics, oxidative stress, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and diet in premature graying. It also considers associated medical conditions and current and emerging treatment options. This overview aims to improve understanding of PHG and its broader implications.

Performance-enhancing drugs, such as testosterone, are used by athletes and youth to increase muscle growth and strength, particularly among males. However, these therapies potentially pose health risks, including liver toxicity, gynecomastia, and hair loss. Testosterone use is rising for performance enhancement, physical appearance, and resistance training, but there remains an absence of standardized guidelines for safe dosages. This study examines the relationship between testosterone use and hair health in males, aiming to develop guidelines for safe, responsible testosterone use. Understanding treatment outcomes in this context is crucial for informed healthcare.