Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and autologous protein-based treatments have recently emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for hair loss-related disorders including androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. The safety and efficacy of repeated intradermal injections of PRP has proved to promote hair growth in a number of randomized clinical trials. Biologically active proteins and cytokines released upon platelet activation have shown to induce folliculogenesis and activate the anagen growing phase of dormant bulbs. Interestingly, further studies have revealed that combining PRP with other hair loss-related products may enhance the final performance of the treatment. These synergistic approaches include Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs such as finasteride or minoxidil, bioactive macromolecules and cell-based therapies. Here, recent research involving alone or combined therapy with platelet-rich plasma for the management of hair loss-related disorders are outlined and future prospects are discussed.

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) has become a well-known entity occurring mainly in African-American women, but is rarely encountered in other populations. This report describes a set of identical twin Lumbee Indian women, both developing cicatricial alopecia, with one sister diagnosed with CCCA overlap with lichen planopilaris and the other with CCCA. The Lumbee Tribe is a federally recognized group of Native Americans who reside in North Carolina. Lumbee Indians have shown an increased incidence of several metabolic and neurologic diseases but cicatricial alopecia has never been an identified associated disease of the Lumbee. Thus far, no published studies have shown cicatricial alopecia as occurring in identical twins or in Native Americans. This case report discusses the issues of haircare practices and genetics in contributing to cicatricial alopecia.