Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Aesthetic Surgeon

The document reviewed the use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in aesthetic surgery, highlighting its potential in hair restoration and skin rejuvenation. PRP, which is rich in growth factors, is obtained by centrifuging a patient's blood to concentrate platelets. It has been safely used in various medical fields and is showing promise in treating androgenetic alopecia, with protocols involving multiple treatments. A study by Trink et al. with 45 patients demonstrated significant hair regrowth in those with alopecia areata using PRP compared to other treatments. For skin rejuvenation, PRP has been beneficial following procedures like microneedling or laser resurfacing, and when combined with hyaluronic acid fillers. A large study by Kamakura et al. with 2,005 patients reported positive effects on facial features using PRP with a fibroblast growth factor additive. Despite these positive outcomes, some PRP applications have produced mixed results, and the document calls for more randomized controlled trials to confirm the preliminary findings and establish standardized protocols.