PRP for Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia in a 77-Year-Old Patient: A Case from Katy & Houston
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) is a unique and challenging form of hair loss that often affects postmenopausal women. At Reena Jogi Dermatology, we see many patients in Katy and Houston seeking answers and options for this scarring type of alopecia. In this blog, I’ll walk you through a real patient case involving PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy as part of her ongoing treatment plan.
The Patient’s Story
Our patient is a 77-year-old woman who returned to our office for continued care of frontal fibrosing alopecia, which primarily affects the frontal scalp and facial hairline. She was first treated at our clinic in May 2024 and has since undergone multiple rounds of PRP therapy. At her most recent visit, she reported that her condition had remained stable—a positive outcome in a condition known for its gradual, progressive course.
Understanding Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
FFA is a scarring form of hair loss characterized by the slow recession of the frontal hairline and sometimes loss of eyebrow hair. It's considered a type of lichen planopilaris, and while it doesn’t typically cause physical pain, it can have a significant emotional impact.
We often see FFA in postmenopausal women, and while its exact cause remains unclear, hormonal changes and immune system activity may play a role. Treatments are often aimed at slowing progression, since regrowth in scarred areas is difficult to achieve.
Treatment options may include:
Topical or intralesional corticosteroids
Oral anti-inflammatory medications
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Why PRP for FFA?
While PRP is more commonly associated with treating androgenetic alopecia, emerging data and clinical experience suggest it may also stabilize FFA. PRP contains growth factors that may help reduce inflammation around hair follicles and stimulate nearby healthy follicles to grow stronger.
We’ve written extensively about PRP's science and benefits in our blog: The Science Behind PRP Hair Restoration.
Procedure #8: A Comfortable PRP Experience
For this patient’s 8th PRP session, we followed our standard protocol:
Blood Draw: A small amount of the patient’s blood was drawn using sterile technique.
Centrifugation: The blood was spun in a centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
Injection: 7 cc of PRP was injected into the subdermal layer of the scalp.
Cooling with Zimmer: To improve comfort, we used the Zimmer chiller, a medical-grade cold air device. Zimmer delivers cool air at fan speed 5, which reduces the burning or stinging sensation patients may experience with PRP injections—no numbing injections needed!
The patient tolerated the procedure without complications and experienced minimal discomfort thanks to the Zimmer device.
Post-Procedure Care
After PRP, we advised the following:
Use sulfate-free shampoo during the healing phase.
Continue with Viviscal and Biotin supplements.
If using topical minoxidil, maintain regular use.
We’ll continue monitoring her progress over time, with future PRP sessions tailored to her response and hair health.
Final Thoughts
Frontal fibrosing alopecia doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution, but with a customized approach—including PRP therapy, supportive supplements, and sun protection education—our patients can maintain their hairline and confidence for as long as possible.
If you’re in Katy or Houston and dealing with hairline recession or eyebrow thinning, schedule a visit with our team at Reena Jogi Dermatology. We're here to help you navigate this journey with science-based, compassionate care.