Systematic Review: Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Facial Rejuvenation

Background: An increasing interest in maintaining a youthful appearance has led to the development of innovative and noninvasive aesthetic procedures for the treatment of facial aging, such as the recent use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This article aims to review the literature and critically appraise the available evidence regarding the efficacy of autologous activated PRP and/or nonactivated PRP injection used for facial rejuvenation. Methods: A systematic review regarding the clinical use of autologous activated PRP and autologous nonactivated PRP injection in facial rejuvenation against signs of aging was performed using the PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, PreMEDLINE, Ebase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Clinicaltrials.gov, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. The protocol was developed following the Preferred Reporting for Items for Systematic Reviews-Protocols guidelines. The included studies had to match predetermined criteria according to the patients, intervention, comparator, outcomes, and study design approach. Results: Eleven of the 12 studies identified, including three randomized split-face trials, showed improved results despite differences in study design and outcome measures, many of which were subjective. Conclusion: Further randomized controlled trials and related systematic reviews need to be performed, as evidence-based medicine studies of level I are required to confirm PRP injection efficacy in facial rejuvenation, to consolidate the promising results of the studies identified in this systematic review.