2025-10-29 14:28:45
Presenters: Khanna R,1 Bui H,1 Frey CN1
Affiliations: 1Department of Dermatology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC
Background: With increasing interest in regenerative medicine for the treatment of dermatologic conditions, current studies explore the efficacy and safety of various therapies including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), plasma-poor platelet (PPP), plasma-rich fibrin (PRF) and exosome therapy for both medical and aesthetic outcomes. While studies suggest exosomes’ potential in skin rejuvenation and hair restoration, due to lack of regulatory standards, the FDA maintains a consumer warning on such therapies. Despite noted synergistic effects when combining PRP and laser modalities for improved aesthetic results, there is a lack of consensus regarding required concentrations for treatment success, in the setting of both inter and intra-patient variability of outcomes.
Objective: The present review seeks to evaluate the safety and tolerability of pure platelet derived growth factor (PDGF+) after laser treatment for skin rejuvenation in skin of color patients—a population at increased risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Methods: A series of three African-American patients with Fitzpatrick Skin Type IV-V underwent superficial ablative 2910 nm mid-infrared fiber laser treatment with Clear mode, followed by twice daily application of either PGDF+ or bland moisturizer in a split-face design. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and at Day 1. Blinded Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) scores for hyperpigmentation and erythema, as well as subject and physician clinical tolerability scales were also recorded.
Results: The mean percent change (delta) in TEWL from Day 0 to Day 1 was 109.5% (SD = 9.7), range: 101.6% to 120.4%, for the treatment (PDGF+) side and 120.0% (SD = 43.5), range: 92.3% to 170.1%, for the control (bland moisturizer) side, showing no significant difference (p = 0.649). Results saw no change in IGA score for hyperpigmentation bilaterally between Day 0 and Day 1 across all three patients. Two of the three patients had a one-point increase in IGA score for erythema between Day 0 and Day 1 (2 to 3 and 1 to 2), with noted two-point increase in the other (2 to 4). There was no difference in IGA scores between treatment and control sides, however. One patient reported bilateral increase in edema (from trace to moderate) from Day 0 to Day 1. Two out of 3 patients reported mild to moderate burning within 15 minutes of PDGF+ treatment, with resolution of symptoms within 30 minutes of application. Patients are scheduled to follow-up in 2 weeks for final assessment.
Conclusion: Scoring for TEWL, hyperpigmentation, and erythema demonstrated comparable results for post-laser topical application of PDGF+ as compared to bland moisturizer, making this a safe option for patients of color. Overall, patients tolerated the treatment without adverse event, demonstrating marginal difference from control outcomes. Larger-scale studies are needed to further assess post-treatment efficacy in both superficial and deep ablative procedures.
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