Skip to main content
Back

This page is limited to our registered members

  • Get access to exclusive dermatological services to increase your professionnal knowledge: +500 pathology visuals, clinical cases, expert videos

  • Benefit from valuable features: audio listening, materials to be shared with your patients

  • Stay informed about the upcoming events and webinars, latest scientific publications and product innovations

BIODERMA Congress Reports CILAD 2022

Reports written by Dr. Marta Cantarero (Dermatologist, Spain), Dr. Marcela Cirigliano (Dermatologist, Argentina), Dr. Adrián Alegre Sanchez (Dermatologist, Spain) and Dr. Ricardo Limongi Fernandes (Dermatologist, Brazil)

30 min read

Speakers: Dr Natalia Seguí, Dr Denise Steiner, Dr Gloria Garnacho, Dr Patrizia Chú, Dr Maritza Kummerfeldt, Dr Javier Ruiz

Report written by Dr. Marta Cantarero

 

Having postponed the CILAD conference for two years due to the pandemic, we were finally able to meet here in the Spanish capital to share our experiences and latest news in dermatology.

 

1. Basic concepts of PRP

We began with a review of the basic concepts of PRP by Dr Natalia Seguí.

The concept of PRP dates back to 1960 when wounds were treated with autologous blood for the very first time. However, it was not really until the 1990s that people began hearing about PRP thanks to its use in trauma and sports medicine, where elite athletes were given PRP to treat their sports injuries.

There are many uses of PRP in dermatology, such as scarring (from burns, surgery or acne), skin ulcers, alopecia and cosmetic treatments.

Its main cosmetic uses are to stimulate type I collagen production by fibroblasts, trigger angiogenesis to combat sagging skin, smooth fine lines, improve dark eye circles and improve skin quality. If injected into the deep layers it can even stimulate adipose cells and increase facial volume.

This biostimulation comes largely down to the platelets, which contain granules that store growth factors for stimulating all these processes.

They are obtained by extracting a variable quantity of venous blood, which is then centrifuged (to separate the platelets, leukocytes and red cells) before the platelet fraction is re-injected and releases the growth factors from its alpha-granules so they can act on the receptors in the cell wall. These growth factors have a half-life of one week. They have a specific affinity to the receptors and once the system is saturated they cease to have any effect. Mesotherapy is performed at three levels: the superficial intradermis (nappage), the dermo-epidermis (papular technique) and the dermis (point-by- point, or bolus technique). The results are visible after 2–3 sessions given at 4–6 week intervals.

The talk concluded with a discussion of the combined effect of PRP and hyaluronic acid as tested by various studies which have demonstrated the superior efficacy of this combination for improved skin quality and elasticity.

 

2. PRP for skin rejuvenation

Dr Denise Steiner gave a literature review of the use of PRP for skin rejuvenation. There is debate over the dose, time and results because the application methods and volumes differ between zones, meaning it is not currently possible to compare studies directly.

However, there is evidence of increased collagen in skin biopsies, less microinflammation, a reduction in excessive oiliness, a proliferation of dermal fibroblasts, fibroblast activation, improved vascularisation, and restored skin vitality and firmness.

The use of PRP for treating melasma is a controversial subject, although it does appear to improve the skin whitening thanks to an increase in TGF-B which inhibits melanogenesis.

 

3. PRP for alopecia

Dr Gloria Garnacho presented a bibliographical review of the use of PRP for treating alopecia and her personal clinical experience.

As well as the known uses, more and more applications are being discovered, mainly for scarring alopecia, thanks to the use of combined PRP for treating the inflammation seen with this form of alopecia, but always as part of a treatment combination.

PRP injections are a safe and effective alternative requiring at least three induction sessions spaced one month apart, and it appears to work better in men with non-severe AGA. It is also preferable to the manual technique due to the use of injection devices.

PRP can stimulate the beta-catenin pathway which plays a crucial role in stimulating stem cells in the hair follicle and its subsequent regeneration.

Dr Garnacho also explained that the results of different PRP studies are difficult or even impossible to interpret because methodologically they are completely different.

The indications of PRP for alopecia are male and female androgenetic alopecia, scarring alopecia, capillary anti-ageing, alopecia secondary to cancer treatment and telogen effluvium.

 

4. PRP and botulinum toxin

Dr Patrizia Chú began by reinforcing the basic concepts of PRP before considering whether there could be any interaction between botulinum toxin and PRP therapy in a combined skin rejuvenation session. After presenting various studies based on this hypothesis, she concluded that PRP inhibits type A botulinum toxin when applied simultaneously, so the two techniques should be used in separate sessions. Likewise, PRP could be used as an easily accessible autologous option for treating botulinum toxin overdose.

 

5. Combined techniques: PRP and stem cells with fractional CO2 or microneedling

Dr Maritza Kummerfeldt showed us how stem cells, like PRP, secrete multiple growth factors to stimulate the synthesis and migration of collagen, making them a effective treatment for scarring, skin thickening, melasma, post-acne scarring and thinning hair.

They can also be combined with fractional CO2 laser or electronic microneedling, with evidence of notable differences in reduction of erythema and healing time.

 

6. Skin boosters and biostimulation for rejuvenation

Dr Javier Ruiz spoke about the effect of skin boosters and biostimulation on the skin.

Skin boosters are microinjections of low-density hyaluronic acid that deliver deep nourishment and hydration to the skin. Their main benefits are improved skin elasticity and structure, radiance and a restored water balance. The hyaluronic acid provides a support for the collagen and elastin, and has a high affinity for binding to and attracting water molecules and indirectly activating fibroblasts insofar as a single injection into the skin is enough to stimulate collagen. Other products available on the market are polylactic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite and polycaprolactone which produce an inflammatory response, the extent of which will depend on patient characteristics, injection level, dose, biomaterial properties and injection technique, so response will differ from patient to patient.

Ask Naos Pro cares about your privacy
NAOS places cookies in order to optimize your experience and your browsing experience on the site, to carry out traffic analyzes and to ensure its security. Some cookies can identify you directly or indirectly, through personal data. Read our Cookies policy to learn more about cookies.