PRP for Aging Skin: What a 2020 Systematic Review Found
This page summarizes a published systematic review of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for aging skin. We did not write it. The paper is by Amanda L. Maisel-Campbell, Aliaa Ismail, and colleagues, from the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University.
Citation: Maisel-Campbell AL, Ismail A, Reynolds KA, et al. A systematic review of the safety and effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for skin aging. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2020;312(5):301–315.
What the review looked at
The authors searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE and Scopus up to March 2019 for prospective trials and case series that assessed PRP for skin aging in ten or more patients. They included twenty-four studies, eight of them randomized controlled trials, covering 480 patients who received PRP.
What it found
- Facial skin: injected PRP on its own was shown to at least temporarily bring modest improvement in facial skin appearance, texture and lines.
- Around the eyes: periorbital fine lines and pigmentation may also benefit.
- After laser: PRP used as an add-on accelerated healing after fractional laser resurfacing.
- Size of the effect: the improvement was typically less than 50%, although patients generally reported high satisfaction.
What it could not show
The authors point out that the studies varied in how PRP was prepared and given, and that outcomes were not measured in a standardized way. How long the effects last is not known, and they conclude that more high-quality trials with enough follow-up are needed. Their overall conclusion is that PRP injections are safe and may be modestly beneficial for aging skin.
What this means for patients
PRP is prepared from a small sample of your own blood. It is used at Utah Stem Cells in treatments such as the Vampire Facial and microneedling. The honest reading of this review is a modest, variable benefit rather than a dramatic one, which is why the physician sets realistic expectations before any treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Does PRP work for aging skin?
According to this review, PRP injections may be modestly beneficial, most clearly for facial skin texture, and are generally safe. The size of the effect is typically modest and varies from person to person.
How long do the results last?
The review states that how long the effects persist is not known.
Book a consultation and the physician will tell you whether PRP is appropriate for you.
This page is a summary for general education. It is not medical advice or a promise of any particular result. Please read the original paper for full details.