Can hydrogel dressings reduce patients' discomfort and side effects of facial platelet-rich plasma injections?

The literature shows that facial injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a safe and effective treatment modality. Serious adverse effects have not been reported so far. Nevertheless, side effects such as redness, edema, bruising, pain, pruritus, and heat sensation have been reported. Our goal was to assess the potential effects of hydrogel dressing after injection of PRP. PRP was prepared using an ACP double-syringe system and applied on face by intradermal microdeposit injections. One half of the face was covered with a cooled (20°C) hydrogel dressing for 20 minutes before and after PRP injection. Patients rated the levels of pain separately for both sides. Physician and patient rated the overall appearance of the skin, redness, swelling, bruising, and number of bruises straight after the procedure. At 6-month follow-up, the physician rated the global aesthetic outcome. Needle prick-induced pain and edema were rated less on the hydrogel side. Our results demonstrate a significant reduction of patient's discomfort and side effects through application of hydrogel dressings. Recovery has been accelerated and the overall appearance of the skin straight after the procedure has been rated significantly better than without dressing application. At 6-month follow-up, the global aesthetic improvement was rated equally on both sides.