The Effect of Fat Injection and its Combination With Platelet-Rich Plasma on Facial Wrinkles and Patient Satisfaction

Abstract

Background: Facial wrinkles develop over the natural aging process. The demand to treat these wrinkles is increasing. Several treatment options are available. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effect of fat injection and its combination with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on facial wrinkles. Patients and Methods: We recruited 28 patients who were candidates for the treatment of facial wrinkles in this study. Wrinkles were recorded in five areas using standard digital photographs. These areas include nasolabial fold (NL), mouth corners (MC), perioral line (PL), chin (Ch), and marionette line (Mar). Patients were randomly allocated to two groups of 14. The first group received fat injection and the second one received Fat-PRP injection. For this purpose, 15 to 20 mL of fat was harvested from the thigh or abdomen; PRP was driven from blood, centrifuged, and mixed with fat before injection. Patients were followed up at the third and sixth months posttreatment. Wrinkles were evaluated with Wrinkle Assessment Scale (WAS) Index and level of satisfaction was determined on a scale of five. Results: In comparison to their initial condition, both groups showed improvement in wrinkles. NL wrinkles were reduced significantly in the second group compared to the first group (P < 0.001). The two groups were not different in reduction of MC, PL, and Ch wrinkles (P > 0.05). At the third-month follow-up, Mar wrinkles were more significantly improved in the first group (P < 0.02); however, the results were the same in both groups for Mar wrinkles at the sixth month follow-up. Patients of the first and second groups were more satisfied at the third and the sixth month, respectively; however, this difference did not reach a significant level (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Although PRP preparation of fat was found to be superior to fat in the treatment of facial wrinkles in some areas, further studies are required to better delineate this difference.