PRP And Acne Scarring Treatment
Treatment with microneedling in conjunction with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged for treatment of acne scars. Microneedling has been used for treatment of facial scars, including ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars; however, the addition of platelet-rich plasma has shown profound improvement in appearance. Treatment for acne scarring consists of a series of treatments, ranging from two to three monthly sessions. Studies showed a significant improvement in the treatment response for acne scars at 6-month follow-up when platelet-rich plasma was used in combination with micorneedling treatments. Confirmed by other split-face randomized controlled trials, acne scarring showed a higher level of improvement of scar depth and pigmentation, confirming its synergetic effects with PRP.
The Magic of Platelet Rich Plasma
PRP has emerged as one of the most desired non-surgical treatments for facial rejuvenation. A recent study published in the journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery evaluated the results and benefits of the use of platelet-rich plasma and showed there is a therapeutic advantage to the use of platelet-rich plasma as a treatment for skin rejuvenation and in combination with laser skin treatments.
The use of platelet-rich plasma in the medical arena has grown exponentially in the past few years, due to its regenerative and restorative properties. Originally used in the dental field going back 20 years for oromaxillofacial conditions, PRP has since grown within other clinical specialties such as the orthopedic field, to help heal torn ligaments and chronic joint arthritis, and in the plastic surgery field. Dermatologic and plastic surgical uses include facial rejuvenation and acne scarring treatments. Studies have shown improvements in wrinkles, skin texture, and facial volume. Other clinical trials have shown good results with regard to tissue healing.
Platelets play a vital role in the initiation of blood clotting and wound healing and increasing the speed of wound repair. In response to tissue and vascular damage, such as what occurs during a microneedling treatment, platelets are activated, with subsequent release of biologically active proteins. These proteins, released from within the platelet, initiate a cascade of events leading to tissue healing and regeneration. Over 30 biologically active proteins are released, including transforming growth factor-β, platelet-derived growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and epithelial cell growth factor. These growth factors promote new blood vessel and tissue formation and promote wound repair with new collagen and elastin production.
Microneedling for Acne Scarring
Acne scarring is caused by damage to the deepest layer of the skin, the deep dermis. This makes acne scarring difficult to treat and treatment modalities need to get deep too to cause an effect and improvement on the scarring. Dermabrasion has been used to treat acne scarring, but it is invasive, painful and healing is prolonged. Microneedling on the other hand, is easily tolerated, healing is quick and it also penetrates deeply to affect the deep collagen scarring from acne.
Topical PRP with Microneedling
One popular technique for skin rejuvenation involves the application of topical platelet-rich plasma in conjunction with microneedling. This stems from the concept of mesotherapy, which uses multiple small punctures into the skin to facilitate absorption of topical medications. Microneedling creates superficial skin injury at varying depths, which has been shown to increase collagen production, skin tightening, and rejuvenation and it is used to facilitate platelet-rich plasma delivery. There are multiple microneedling devices currently used; however, the SkinPen (Bellus Medical, Addison, Texas) is the only microneedling device cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is the device we use at Renove Med Spa The microneedling treatment is applied numerous times over the face, in various directions, at various depths, until the endpoint of redness with or without pinpoint bleeding is reached. When platelet-rich plasma is combined with microneedling, the effects were found to be magnified. Studies have shown increased collagen with improved elastin fibers with combination microneedling and platelet-rich plasma compared to microneedling alone, which we at Renove Medical Spa have noticed as well, improved results witht he combination of PRP and microneedling. Microneedling with PRP can be performed once, or every 4 to 6 weeks and repeated several times, depending on the results desired. The average treatment recommendation is three sessions to maximize therapeutic results and varies based on the treatment goal. For more information on microneedling visit our page.
PRP with Laser and Radiofrequency Treatments
For the deepest acne scarring we can combine radiofrequency microneedling therapy with platelet-rich plasma to enhance results, with studies showing a therapeutic role in the treatment of acne scarring and facial aging. Platelet-rich plasma can be injected intradermally after radiofrequency microneedling therapy to provide a synergistic result, although it is also used topically. Not only does it provide local growth factors for healing, it has been demonstrated to decrease redness after radiofrequency treatment and accelerate healing. Positive results for facial aging treated with platelet-rich plasma and laser therapy are demonstrated as early as one treatment with three sessions showed maximum results. Studies show statistically significant improvement in skin elasticity for patients receiving combination therapy. Also demonstrated was a more obvious improvement in skin color, texture, and pore size.
Safety of PRP
As platelet-rich plasma is an autologous product, as it is self donated, and is considered safe and free from communicable diseases. Sterility should be practiced and platelet-rich plasma harvesting should only be done by a licensed and regulated medical professional and overseen by a physician. If you do not see a physician for your PRP treatment, you should question why not. Minor complications include transient swelling, bruising, redness and crusting, all of which are injection-related. Subjective feeling of skin tightness is transient.
Conclusions
The use of microneedling, radiofrequency and platelet-rich plasma has grown to treat acne scarring because of better understanding of its regenerative and restorative effects. A diverse collection of literature exists in support of its use, displaying favorable results for acne scarring and surigical scar improvement. We offer all of the above treatments at Renove Medical Spa. If you think you may benefit from one of the above treatment modalities, please call or email us to make an appointment for a complimentary consultation. March 2021 we will have a get ready for summer (it's coming!) skin special with our Radiofrequency Microneedling with PRP treatments, book a treatment with PRP and receive a free ZO Growth Factors serum a $148 value.
Platelet-Rich Plasma: Evolving Role in Plastic Surgery
Edward S. Chamata, M.D.; Erica L. Bartlett, M.D.; David Weir, N.P.-C.; Rod J. Rohrich, M.D. DISCLOSURES Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021;147(1):219-230.
