Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recently, autologous cultured fibroblast and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapies have been attempted for skin rejuvenation. Unlike PRP, grafted fibroblasts not only produce connective tissue but also influence the surrounding environment through a paracrine effect. Fibroblast-derived cytokines interact with and are modulated by neighboring tissue-constituting cells. In this study, we aimed to perform autologous fibroblast therapy and examine its effectiveness for skin rejuvenation through patient and doctor evaluations. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients (5 males and 83 females) were followed up three months after grafting. All cases had a chief complaint of age-related skin atrophy. 1x10(8) cells of autologous cultured dermal fibroblasts were administered to each face. The patient and doctors evaluated the treatment's effects at one and three months. RESULTS: One-month post-treatment, 60.3% of the patients rated the treatment as effective, while the doctors evaluated 79.5% as effective. Due to these findings, we assessed the efficacy of the eighty-eight patients at three months by the last observation carried forward (LOCF). The results showed that 75% and 92%, respectively, had effective patient and doctor assessments. The effects of fibroblast treatment were more effective after three months. CONCLUSION: Fibroblast grafting was more effective at three months than one month and was extremely effective in improving skin texture, such as sagging, firmness, and wrinkles, without the symptoms of large depressions. There was a natural improvement more than hyaluronic acid injection.