Background: The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for treating aging facial skin is becoming increasingly popular. Despite numerous studies, there remains a lack of large-scale trials and comprehensive systematic reviews on PRP's benefits. This systematic review evaluates PRP's safety and effectiveness in improving wrinkles, skin texture, hydration, elasticity, thickness, pigmentation, and patient satisfaction.
Methods: Authors followed PRISM guidelines and independently screened PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases to include studies that reported on the efficacy and safety of PRP treatments. Study quality was assessed using the revised Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool.
Results: Out of 22 studies involving 556 patients that met inclusion criteria, five compared PRP to other skin treatments, while seventeen evaluated it against baselines or controls. Efficacy was assessed through patient and physician observations, facial scans, and skin biopsies. Wrinkles were assessed in 14 studies, with 9 reporting improvements in at least 1 parameter and 5 reporting significant changes across all parameters. Skin texture was analyzed in 11 studies, with 6 reporting significant improvements in at least one parameter and 3 in all parameters. Hydration, elasticity, and skin thickness were less frequently studied; however, significant improvements were noted in hydration in 3/6 studies, in elasticity in 2/6, and in skin thickness in 4/5 studies. Pigmentation was examined in 11 studies, with only one showing significant changes. Patient satisfaction was evaluated in 11 studies, with the majority reporting positive outcomes. PRP's safety was confirmed in 21 studies, with the most common adverse effects being bruising, erythema, and swelling.
Conclusion: Our systematic review revealed mixed outcomes regarding the efficacy of PRP therapy. PRP was found to be most effective with improving wrinkles, skin texture, and patient reported outcomes. Further high-quality trials with standardized reporting methods are necessary.
