Breast Enhancement and Rejuvenation Options: Is PRP Effective?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is not recommended for breast enhancement or augmentation due to insufficient evidence supporting its efficacy and safety for this specific application. 1
FDA-Approved Breast Enhancement Options
Surgical Options
- Silicone implants - Provide significant volume enhancement with long-lasting results
- Saline implants - Alternative to silicone with different feel characteristics
- Autologous fat transfer - Uses patient's own fat tissue for natural-looking enhancement
Non-Surgical Options
- External soft-tissue expansion system - Research shows this vacuum-based system can achieve 55% stable long-term breast enlargement (range 15-115%) 2
- This non-invasive approach works through controlled distractive mechanical forces that stimulate tissue growth
PRP in Aesthetic Applications
While PRP is not recommended for breast enhancement, it has shown efficacy in other cosmetic applications:
Facial Rejuvenation
- PRP demonstrates effectiveness for fine wrinkling and color homogeneity in photoaged skin 1
- Increases collagen production, improving skin elasticity and firmness
- Can be combined with microneedling for enhanced results
Periorbital Area
- Shows potential for treating periorbital hyperpigmentation and crow's feet 1
- Significant improvement in periocular wrinkles through increased skin thickness
Lip Enhancement
- Makes lip color more vivid and reduces superficial perioral wrinkles 1
- Provides biostimulation with natural-looking outcomes
- Typical protocol: injection of 0.2-0.5 mL per quadrant
Hair Restoration
- Effective for certain types of hair loss 1
Why PRP Is Not Recommended for Breast Enhancement
Lack of standardization - The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) highlights poor standardization and variability in PRP preparation methods 1
Physical limitations - The liquid nature of PRP makes it unsuitable for significant volume enhancement required in breast augmentation 1
Insufficient evidence - The American College of Periodontology does not support PRP use in cosmetic breast augmentation due to lack of supporting research 1
No established protocols - Unlike other cosmetic applications, there are no validated protocols for breast enhancement using PRP
Emerging Combination Approaches
Research is exploring combined approaches such as:
- PRP with nanofat
- PRP with hyaluronic acid
However, these have not been validated specifically for breast augmentation 1.
Safety Considerations
PRP is generally considered safe for approved applications, with minimal reported adverse effects:
- Temporary pain or discomfort during injection
- Potential for bruising at injection sites
- Risk of infection (though rare with proper technique)
Conclusion
For patients seeking breast enhancement, FDA-approved options (implants or fat transfer) or non-surgical external expansion systems offer evidence-based solutions. While PRP shows promise in facial aesthetics, hair restoration, and wound healing, it is not currently supported by evidence for breast augmentation or enhancement.