Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Aesthetic Surgeon

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autogenously harvested blood plasma containing concentrated levels of platelets and growth factors. PRP has been identified as a promising treatment for enhancing wound healing and has been used for decades in multiple medical specialties including cardiac surgery, oral surgery, ophthalmology, and orthopedic surgery. Growing evidence for multiple aesthetic surgery applications has recently been developed, particularly for hair restoration and skin rejuvenation. The goal of this article is to review the current medical literature on PRP and identify promising applications that may be integrated into a modern aesthetic surgery practice. The evidence for the use of PRP technology is rapidly expanding as a powerful therapy for select cosmetic surgery patients.

Safety of Platelet‐Rich Plasma Subepithelial Infusion for Vocal Fold Scar, Sulcus, and Atrophy

“…The composition of PRP consists primarily of a high concentration of platelets and growth factors but can also include white blood cells and other vasoactive and chemotactic agents 29 . PRP releases growth factors that expedite wound healing via cell proliferation, matrix formation, osteoid production, connective tissue healing, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis 30,31 . PRP injections have been shown to have a broad range of applications in tissue sealing, stabilization, scar maturation, osteogenesis, and alopecia across various surgical specialties from orthopedics to cosmetic surgery with virtually no adverse side effects 32–34 .…”

“…29 PRP releases growth factors that expedite wound healing via cell proliferation, matrix formation, osteoid production, connective tissue healing, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis. 30,31 PRP injections have been shown to have a broad range of applications in tissue sealing, stabilization, scar maturation, osteogenesis, and alopecia across various surgical specialties from orthopedics to cosmetic surgery with virtually no adverse side effects. [32][33][34] In vivo studies revealed the effect of PRP in vocal fold healing in rabbit models following acute vocal fold injury.…”

Autologous follicular unit extraction transplant for postburn cicatricial alopecia: A single‐center's retrospective case series

“…For example, autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can be injected preoperatively to improve blood flow in the scarred areas and intraoperatively to reduce damage to the transplanted hair follicles, accelerate wound healing, and activate dormant follicles. [10][11][12][13][14] Preoperative fat grafting or temporal fascial flap transplantation can also be performed to increase the thickness of the local subcutaneous fat layer, improve the local microenvironment, soften the scar tissue, and enhance blood supply. 15 Moreover, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) from fat grafts have a positive effect on the reconstruction of newly formed hair follicles.…”

Cell and Cell Free Therapies in Osteoarthritis

“…Among all these applications, PRP has also been used in aesthetic applications, such as skin rejuvenation procedures [ 214 , 215 , 216 ] and hair restoration, showing better outcomes than conventional treatments [ 216 , 217 ].…”