Adding platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to the lipo-graft for facial lipofilling, or fat grafting, shortened patient recovery time but did not improve skin elasticity, graft volume maintenance or patient satisfaction, compared to lipofilling alone, according to a recent study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Researchers in The Netherlands conducted a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized study on 32 healthy females, who underwent cosmetic facial lipofilling with either saline or PRP added, according to the study’s abstract. Researchers looked for changes in skin elasticity, nasolabial fold volumetric changes, recovery time differences and patient satisfaction during a one-year follow up. Twenty-five of the women complete the follow up.

They found that while adding PRP significantly improved recovery time after lipofilling, it did not improve cosmetic outcomes or patient satisfaction.