Platelet-rich fibrin matrix for improvement of deep nasolabial folds

Background  Dermal augmentation continues to grow as an aesthetic facial procedure. Many exogenous filler materials rely on an autologous fibrotic response for volume augmentation. Aims  To evaluate the efficacy of a single injection of autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) for the correction of deep nasolabial folds (NLFs). Patients/methods  Whole blood was obtained from 15 adults, and an activated autologous PRFM produced using a proprietary system (Selphyl®; Aesthetic Factors, Inc., Wayne, NJ, USA) was then injected into the dermis and immediate subdermis below the NLFs. Subjects were photographed before and after treatment; NLFs were rated by the treating physician before and after treatment using the Wrinkle Assessment Scale (WAS) and patients rated their appearance at each post-treatment visit using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. Patients were evaluated at 1, 2, 6, and 12 weeks after treatment. Results  All patients were treated to maximal (no over-) correction, with a mean reduction in WAS score of 2.12 ± 0.56. At 1 week after treatment, this difference was 0.65 ± 0.68, but rose to 0.97 ± 0.75, 1.08 ± 0.59, and 1.13 ± 0.72 at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after treatment, respectively (P < 0.001). No patient noted any fibrosis, irregularity, hardness, restricted movement, or lumpiness. Conclusions  PRFM can provide significant long-term diminution of deep NLFs without the use of foreign materials. PRFM holds significant potential for stimulated dermal augmentation.