Platelet-rich Plasma With Topical Retinoids Versus Topical Retinoids Alone in Acne Vulgaris

Overview

Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease in adolescents and young adults. Adult or post-adolescent acne occurs in 12-14% of this population.It is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit .The clinical features of acne include seborrhoea, non-inflammatory lesions (open and closed comedones), inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules), and various degrees of scarring. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is prepared by simple centrifugation of whole blood to concentrate platelets and simultaneously remove red blood cells. The resultant supernatant is the PRP that contains various growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor (TGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).These growth factors are involved in the healing of soft tissue and can regulate cellular processes such as chemotaxis, angiogenesis, mitogenesis, differentiation, and metabolism . Topical retinoids are used in the treatment of both noninflammatory and inflammatory acne.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved three topical retinoids: adapalene, tazarotene, and tretinoin. These agents help normalize follicular keratinization and decrease keratinocyte cohesiveness, thereby reducing follicular occlusion and comedon formation .Topical retinoids also compete with factors involved in the acne inflammation response, enhance penetration of other topical acne medications, and accelerate the resolution of acne-induced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Updates from the Global Alliance on Improving Outcomes in Acne consider topical retinoids as first-line therapy, individually or in combination with benzoyl peroxide. However, the common side effects of skin irritation and discomfort may impede adherence to long-term therapy. For patients with acne, combination therapy with a topical retinoid and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has not yet been tested. PRP with topical retinoids will be evaluated and campared with topical retinoids alone in acne tretment.