Effectiveness, safety and patients’ satisfaction of a new treatment for facial ageing with topical autologous platelet rich plasma mixed with hyaluronic acid after microneedling: results of a single centre preliminary study

Abstract

Introduction: Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Hyaluronic acid (HA) have been proven to be effective in skin rejuvenation. The aim of this single Centre pilot study was to demonstrate the effectiveness and the safety of a new mixture of PRP and HA applied topically after microneedling to rejuvenate chrono- and photo-damaged facial skin. Methods: ten patients aged 43.3+7.7years, Glogau>II were enrolled in the study and underwent three treatments each. After preparation, PRP was mixed with non-cross-linked HA and administered topically after microneedling of the facial skin. The Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) were used respectively by a Plastic Surgeon and by the patients to assess effectiveness of the technique. Results: No early and/or late complications were observed after the treatments. Both WSRS and GAIS score improved with statistical significance before and after the procedures and comparing the first and second, second and third and, most of all, first and third topical application. No significant differences were found comparing subgroups of patients based on age (<49 or >50), smoking habits (smokers and non-smokers), patients who practised sports or not, patients taking drugs for pre-existing disease or not, summer sun-exposed patients or not. Conclusion: This new mixture of PRP-HA with the minimally invasive method of application (topical after microneedling) has proven to be effective and free of side effects in our series. Further studies with a greater number of enrolled patients are needed in order to confirm our results.