Abstract
Background
There is a renewed interest in autologous fillers for facial rejuvenation. We used PRP combined with cultured fibroblasts as an attractive alternative to synthetic fillers.
Methods
Twenty adults (17 women and 3 men: mean age 45 years: range 36–65 years) participated in a clinical trial to improve the fold in the skin of the nasolabial folds by having 1 ml of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with cultured fibroblasts injected into each side.
Results
Sixteen patients had an 80 % increase in thickness of the skin adjacent to the nasolabial fold at the 9-month follow-up. Fifteen patients also showed an increase in dermal density, and in 7, there was an increase in the hydration of the facial skin. In 16 patients, the sebum quality of the skin either improved on one side or both sides of the cheek (adjacent to the nasolabial fold). Wrinkle depth on either one or both sides of the nasolabial fold was reduced in 15 patients. Seventeen patients (85 %) were satisfied with the result and would undergo the procedure again. In standardised photography, the contour of the nasolabial fold was improved in 15 patients.
Conclusions
This technique softens the nasolabial folds as well as improves the condition of the adjacent skin. This improvement was present after 9 months and did not appear to diminish with time. PRP when combined with cultured fibroblasts can act as an effective autologous filler.
Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study
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Ethical standards
The study has been approved and was conducted in accordance with the protocol, the ICH Guideline for GCP and the Declaration of Helsinki.
Funding
The study has been funded as the company by NHP Ltd. from 2006 until 2011, when it withdrew any financial support.
Conflict of interest
Dr KM Geldenhuys sells the Mycells® tube through Neocell Laboratories to aesthetic doctors and orthopaedic surgeons.
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Patients provided written consent prior their inclusion in the study. Additional consent was obtained for the use of their images.
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Geldenhuys, K.M., Hudson, D.A. A prospective cohort pilot study to assess the safety and efficacy of combining autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with autologous dermal fibroblast for skin augmentation. Eur J Plast Surg 39, 133–138 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-015-1163-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-015-1163-5