Abstract

Objectives: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous plasma product with concentration of platelets 3 to 7 times above the physiological levels. It is obtained by centrifuging autologous blood before the procedure. PRP includes bioactive molecules such as chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors. The growth signals and proteins are able to stimulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, neoangiogenesis, activating fibroblasts and synthesizing collagen. These properties make PRP an attractive option for skin regeneration and hair restoration. Introduction: Adding to the popularity of use of PRP is that it has a relatively low side effect profile. There are no long-term side effects reported so far. The short-term side effects observed are related to the intradermal route of administration. For facial skin rejuvenation and anti-ageing, PRP alone has shown to improve texture, wrinkles, facial volume and skin color. Latest trends suggest the use of PRP in periorbital hyperpigmentation as well. When it comes to lip rejuvenation, the most obvious change is the more vivid color of the lips. Materials / method: The newest trend however, is to use PRP in combination therapies. Used with skin booster, patients’ facial skin indicators, quality of life, and satisfaction with their appearance improve significantly. Physicians also report that when PRP is combined with microneedling for treating atrophic acne scars, better results re achieved than with microneedling alone. Atrophic acne scars are also targeted with fractional CO2 laser combined with PRP, showing shorter duration of erythema and edema, less post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and shorter recovery time. Results: Intradermal PRP injections could also be a good alternative for treating melasma and vitiligo. Questions have been posed on the efficacy in PRP use for striae distensea management, adding some new hopes. When it comes to hair restoration, new treatment protocols are also focused on combination therapies. One-hundred percent improvement rate in female pattern hair-loss is reported if PRP is used with non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid. PRP plus basic fibroblast growth factor seems to be more beneficial if combined with minoxidil 5% (twice daily) in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Conclusion: Overall, the treatment with PRP has rejuvenating and regenerative properties and it is now widely used in dermatology and aesthetics. To have best results it is advisable to perform series of treatments. New trends suggest that better results are achieved if PRP is used in combination with other treatments. PRP is a promising and safe method, which needs a standardized and unified protocol for preparation and application, in order to assess its efficacy and potential benefits. This will help establish PRP as a routine treatment with well-defined indications in dermatology and aesthetics.