Abstract
BACKGROUND: Platelet-Derived Growth Factor BB (PDGF) is a potent stimulator of tissue regeneration. It has received FDA approvals in four medical therapeutic indications for tissue regeneration. Recently, the use of pure PDGF has also been introduced for the promotion of skin rejuvenation and regeneration in aesthetic indications. AIMS: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of the topical application of pure PDGF compared to standard of care following radiofrequency (RF) microneedling. METHODS: In this evaluator-blinded, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial, subjects between 30 and 60 years of age received a single treatment of RF microneedling, followed by application of either standard of care (Aquaphor) or pure PDGF. Participants were evaluated at 7 and 30 days post-procedure by a board-certified dermatologist (MG) to determine the Clinical Global Aesthetic Improvement Score (CGAIS), and by Canfield Image Analysis (IA) software to assess seven aesthetic parameters. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were also obtained at 7 and 30 days following treatment. RESULTS: Pure PDGF treatment resulted in greater improvement in the CGAIS as determined at 7 and 30 days compared to the standard of care group. Additionally, PDGF treatment outperformed the standard of care group in 6 of 7 outcomes in the objective image analysis. PROMs indicated that participants treated with pure PDGF had an overall better experience than participants receiving standard of care. No serious adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial shows the application of pure PDGF possesses an excellent safety profile and improves facial skin quality 30 days post RF microneedling more effectively than the current standard of care.