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INTRODUCTION: Striae distensae (SD), or stretch marks, are a common skin problem having a psychological impact and cosmetic concern, especially for women, in whom the prevalence is higher than in men. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of a single autologous micrografting treatment (AMT®) using Rigenera® technology for the management of SD. METHODS: This single-centre study included 10 healthy women between 24 and 65 years of age, with Fitzpatrick-Goldman skin types I-IV, who had visible SD in glutes/thighs. Each subject acted as their own control. The treatment procedure (microneedling + AMT) and the control procedure (no treatment) were performed on contralateral sides of the glutes/thighs, targeting matched and paired SD. Microneedling was carried out using Dermapen®, equipped with 32 needle heads set at 1.5 mm needle length. The AMT procedure involved extracting biopsies from the mastoid hair zone with a 2.5-mm dermal punch, followed by disaggregation of the biopsies in a physiological saline solution using the Rigeneracons. The disaggregated micrografts were then intradermally injected using 30G 4-mm needles, maintaining a distance of 1 cm between injection points, covering the entire marked treatment region. RESULTS: In the treated area, at 3 months post-procedure compared to pre-procedure, the following changes were observed, all with statistical significance (P ≤ 0.05): (a) significant reductions in skin roughness (Ra, - 15.9%; Rz, - 22.6%), skin luminance (- 2.0%), and blue-green color distribution (- 10.6%); (b) significant increases in skin microcirculation maximum value (+ 240.1%), skin hydration (+ 71.2%), skin elasticity (+ 216.5%), skin density (+ 34.3%), skin thickness (+ 26.0%), and hypodermis thickness (+ 29.9%). Furthermore, for each of the aforementioned parameters, there was a significantly greater improvement observed with the AMT procedure compared with microneedling at 3 months (all P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The AMT procedure using Rigenera technology resulted in an noticeable improvement in the SD appearance after 3 months in healthy women.
This was a study of the Autologous Micrografting Technology (AMT) procedure for management of SD. Striae distensae (SD) commonly known as stretch marks are visible linear scars on the skin arising from excessive stretching of the skin. They are a very common condition, especially in women, causing cosmetic concern and psychological discomfort. Ten healthy women with SD were included in the study and each subject acted as their own control. Matched and paired SD on contralateral sides of the glutes/thighs were identified for treatment and control. In the area identified for treatment, the skin was initially damaged by microneedling to enhance regeneration, followed by intradermal injection of disaggregated autologous micrografts. The micrografts for the AMT procedure were extracted from the mastoid hair zone and disaggregated in physiological saline solution using the Rigeneracons. In the control area, no treatment was performed. The efficacy of the AMT procedure was assessed at 1 and 3 months post-procedure using several validated methodologies. Three months after the AMT procedure, a significant increase was observed in skin hydration, elasticity, density, and thickness, as well as in hypodermis thickness and microcirculation maximum value compared with pre-procedure in the treated area. There also was a significant reduction in skin roughness, skin luminance, and blue-green color distribution at 3 months in the treated area. For each of these parameters, the improvement observed at 3 months was significantly higher with the AMT procedure compared with only microneedling. We showed that a single AMT procedure using Rigenera technology is useful in the management of SD.
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BACKGROUND: During skin aging, a degeneration of connective tissue and decrease in hyaluronic acid polymers occur. Since platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains growth factors and various cytokines, it was hypothesized that it could play a role in fibroblast activation and type I collagen expression in human fibroblasts. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to assess the efficacy of autologous PRP injections for facial skin rejuvenation, measured by biometric instrumental evaluations and patient-reported outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients signed an informed consent form. The EmCyte PurePRP® system technology was used to produce neutrophil-poor PurePRP. The efficacy of the procedures was assessed by biometric parameters, and a patient outcome a self-assessment questionnaire on each visit and at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Eleven volunteers were included in the study, receiving 3 PurePRP® treatments. A significant decrease in brown spot counts and area (P < 0.05) was seen after 3 months. Wrinkle count and volume were significantly reduced (P < 0.05 for total wrinkle appearance). Skin firmness parameters were significantly improved. Skin redness was significantly improved after 169 days post-therapy for both the nasolabial and malar areas. A decrease in SLEB thickness was already noted at 2 months after the first injection, with an increase in SLEB density (P < 0.05 for both parameters), without affecting subcutaneous fat thickness. Self-assessment at 6-month follow-up revealed an average satisfaction score of >90%. CONCLUSIONS: A series of 3 PurePRP injections at 6-month follow-up resulted in significant skin rejuvenation as demonstrated by biometric parameters and confirmed by patient self-assessment score.