Effect of Platelet-rich Plasma Intradermal Injection on the Reduction of Facial Cutaneous Wrinkles

Abstract

Effect of Platelet-rich Plasma Intradermal Injection on the Reduction of Facial Cutaneous Wrinkles

Kanokporn Ramaganont MD*

Suwadee Chuanchaiyakul PhD (Anatomy)**

Montree Udompataikul MD*

* The Skin Center, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University

** Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University

Objective: To evaluate the result of intradermal injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the reduction of facial wrinkles compared with placebo.

Methods: This is a pilot study of randomized double blind placebo controlled trial which studied in 20 female volunteers, aged 35-60 years who were treated at the Skin Center, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University from December 2009 to March 2010. The volunteers were randomized to receive PRP on one side of facial skin and normal saline injection as placebo on the other side. Each volunteer was injected in 2 areas: the crow’s feet and preauricular area. Each PRP or placebo was injected over several points at 0.5 cm interval and 0.05 ml at each point. Total volume of 1 ml was injected in the crow’s feet and 0.5 ml in the preauricular area. Each volunteer was treated once a week for 4 weeks. The average skin roughness (R2) of all volunteers were measured with Visioscanฎ VC98 before and at 3 months after the last treatment. The global satisfaction and adverse effects were also evaluated. Skin biopsies were performed at preauricular area in 3 volunteers before the treatment and at 3 months after the final treatment.

Results: The average age of the volunteers was 45.0 ฑ 7.4 years. PRP was injectd in left faces in 8 cases and in right faces in 12 cases. At the beginning of the study, the average R2 of crow’s feet was 91.1 ฑ 9.9 micrometre for PRP side and 89.6 ฑ 9.2 micrometre for placebo side. The average R2 of preauricular was 93.2 ฑ 10.5 micrometre for PRP side and 92.7 ฑ 6.9 micrometre for placebo side. At 3 months after the last treatment, the average R2 of crow’s feet on PRP side and placebo side were significantly reduced to 66.0 ฑ 6.4 micrometre and 67.1 ฑ 8.4 micrometre, respectively. The average R2 of preauricular area were also significantly reduced to 68.0 ฑ 7.2 micrometre and 67.7 ฑ 6.6 micrometre for PRP side and placebo side, respectively. However, there was no statistical significant difference between the decreases of R2 of both treatments. Seventy five percent of the volunteers were satisfied with both treatments. Some adverse effects were observed such as purpura, wheal and needle tracks, which spontaneously resolved within one week. The histopathology for the skin of the 3 volunteers demonstrated the increment of new collagen and elastin in both treatments.

Conclusion: Intradermal injection of platelet-rich plasma or placebo results in significant wrinkle reduction. However, there was no difference of the results between PRP and placebo injection.

Keywords: platelet-rich plasma (PRP), intradermal injection, facial wrinkles