Histologic Evidence of New Collagen Formulation Using Platelet Rich Plasma in Skin Rejuvenation: A Prospective Controlled Clinical Study

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous concentration of human platelets contained in a small volume of plasma and has recently been shown to accelerate rejuvenate aging skin by various growth factors and cell adhesion molecules. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradermal injection of PRP in the human facial rejuvenation. METHODS: This study was a prospective, single-center, single-dose, open-label, non-randomized controlled clinical study. PRP injected to the upper site of this right infra-auricular area and all face. Saline was injected to the left infra-auricular area. Histopathological examinations were performed before PRP treatment, 28 days after the PRP, and saline (control) treatments. RESULTS: Twenty women ranging in age from 40 to 49 years (mean age, 43.65±2.43 years) were enrolled in the study. The mean optical densities (MODs) of collagen in the pre-treatment, control, and PRP-treated area were measured. They were 539±93.2, 787±134.15, 1,019±178, respectively. In the MOD of PRP, 89.05 percent improvement was found when MOD of PRP was compared with MOD of pre-treatment. The mean MOD of collagen fibers was clearly highest on the PRP side (p<0.001). The PRP-to-saline improvement ratio (89.05% to 46.01%) was 1.93:1. No serious side effects were detected. CONCLUSION: PRP increases dermal collagen levels not only by growth factors, but also by skin needling (the mesotherapy technique 'point by point'). PRP application could be considered as an effective (even a single application) and safety procedure for facial skin rejuvenation.

Clinical Observation of Skin Needling plus Flash Cupping for Hemifacial Spasm / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of skin needling plus flash cupping for hemifacial spasm. Method Forty patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 20 in each group. For both groups, the following acupoints were selected: Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yifeng (TE17), Xiaguan (ST7), Cuanzhu (BL2), Yangbai (GB14), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Quanliao (SI18), Jiache (ST6), Dicang (ST4), Hegu (LI4), and Waiguan (TE5). Skin needling plus flash cupping was used for the treatment group, while even reducing-reinforcing needling method was used for the control group. Seven-day treatments were considered as a treatment course, and the therapeutic efficacy was analyzed after 3 courses. Result The cure rate was 65.0%in the treatment group versus 45.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Skin needling plus flash cupping can produce a significant efficacy in treating hemifacial spasm, better than ordinary needling method.

Clinical study on skin needling plus heat-sensitive moxibustion for chronic facial paralysis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of skin needling plus heat-sensitive moxibustion in treating chronic facial paralysis. Methods:Sixty patients with chronic facial paralysis were divided into an observation group and an acupuncture group by using the random number table, 30 in each group. Patients in the observation group were given skin needling plus heat-sensitive moxibustion; while patients in the acupuncture group were given conventional acupuncture. Results:Three treatment courses later, the total effective rate was 93.3% in the observation group versus 86.7% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion:Skin needling plus heat-sensitive moxibustion can produce a more significant efficacy than conventional acupuncture in treating chronic facial paralysis.