This phrase, “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater” originated back to at least 1512 in Germany. However, it took centuries before arrival in English during the revolutionary times.
Many quote this phrase when talking about the bathing habits of the American colonists and assume that the phrase came from this time period. It was common that a typical colonial household would not bathe more than 2-3 times a year. Since plumbing was not invented until the nineteenth century it was too much work to haul water, heat it up and then dump it later. The colonists usually took sponge baths since many households had washbasins.
However, when they did take a bath, the pecking order was oldest to youngest. Therefore, the father, mother, oldest to youngest child. So, by the time the baby got to bathe, the water was usually filthy and dark. That is the origin of the saying, “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater”.
Today, the phrase relates to the avoidable error in which something of value is eliminated when trying to get rid of something unwanted.
Platelet Rich Plasma is an autologous blood concentrate, rich in cytokines, growth factors and bioactive proteins. Platelet Rich Plasma has been used successfully in the restoration and rejuvenation of damaged tissues in medicine. The applications of PRP grows almost on a daily basis. Over 20,000 articles and studies have been published in PubMed alone on the use of PRP and PRF.
The application of Platelet Rich Plasma and Platelet Rich Fibrin has now exploded in the aesthetic field of medicine and is used for rejuvenation and anti-aging. The PRF gel provides a natural alternative to synthetic cross-linked fillers while enhancing the appearance of deep wrinkles as a natural alternative with virtually no side effects.
In the process of obtaining platelet rich plasma from the patient’s whole blood, after centrifugation, the platelet rich plasma is separated from the less concentrated platelet poor plasma. The PPP is typically discarded as a waste product. Although many clinicians typically use the entire sample, there have been few studies showing the “head to head” use of platelet rich plasma to platelet poor plasma. It seems to many that even though the concentration is not as great in the PPP, it should still work for wherever applied.
In a study published in Jan of 2024, a randomized comparison study in aesthetic application was available for review:
Aesthetic Plast Surg 2024 Jan 22. Doi 10.1007/s00222-023-03822-0 PMID 38253883
Background: As the demand for non-invasive aesthetic procedures to maintain a youthful appearance increases, there has been a growing interest in the use of autologous platelet rich plasma and platelet poor plasma for the treatment of facial aging. However, there are few studies directly comparing the efficacy of PRP and PPP for facial rejuvenation.
This study aimed to compare the efficacy of PRP and PPP for facial rejuvenation.
Conclusions: Both PRP and PPP are effective in treating facial photoaging. PRP exhibited slightly superior efficacy in enhancing overall skin condition, while PPP was slightly more effective in improving shallow wrinkles. This study provides valuable evidence for the use of PRP and PPP in facial rejuvenation.
A Comparative Study Between Platelet Rich Plasma and Platelet Poor Plasma Effects on Angiogenesis
Med Mol Morphol 2018 Mar;51(1):21-31 PMID 28948378
Abstract: Platelet Rich Plasma has been established as an autologous source for therapeutic angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate PRP angiogenetic effects versus platelet poor plasma.
Conclusion: The effects were confirmed demonstrating an earlier angiogenic effects of PPP. The findings of this study are the first comparative study of PRP versus PPP.
J Cosmet Dermatol 2019 Oct;18(5):1271-1279 PMID 30809897
Background: The popularity of dermal fillers has grown rapidly in the last few years for facial rejuvenation. Plasma gel is an autologous gelatinous material that is prepared from the patient’s own platelet poor plasma.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of plasma gel injection as a dermal filler for facial rejuvenation.
Patients and Methods: The current study was carried out on 52 females who presented with facial aging divided into two groups: group A had facial wrinkles and group B had tear trough deformity. They received 2 sessions of plasma gel at 2 week intervals and followed up monthly for 3 months.
Conclusion: Both studied groups showed immediate significant clinical improvement after plasma gel injection that maintained till the end of the follow up period.
Autologous platelet poor plasma gel injection seems to be cost effective, safe, well tolerated and minimally invasive technique producing significant aesthetic correction of facial wrinkles and tear trough deformity.
Juventix Regenerative Medical is an industry leader in the regenerative medical field. Our Platelet Rich Plasma Kits are FDA cleared and designed for safety, sterility and effectiveness. Our kits are scientifically manufactured to provide a platelet concentrate, devoid of red blood cells with a minimal number of leukocytes, critical to the regenerative process.
Juventix Regenerative Medical offers a LED activator to activate the platelets and begin the regenerative process. The activation is a critical step in the release of cytokines, growth factors and bioactive proteins from the alpha granules on the platelets and is accomplished with LED light. This negates the use of chemical additives such as Calcium Chloride, Thrombin or Collagen. This mode of activation by LED light provides sustained growth factor release versus older methods of activation while adhering to the minimal manipulation guidelines of the FDA.
Juventix Regenerative Medical supplies a bio-incubator that transforms the Platelet Rich Plasma into an Injectable Platelet Rich Fibrin. The Platelet Rich Fibrin, commonly called the “second generation of platelet products” has different cytokines and growth factors than the original PRP. These different cytokines provide and anti-inflammatory environment and can be used confidently in inflammatory conditions. The platelet poor plasma is included in the concentrate during this process.
Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!!!
At Juventix, we have included PPP in our aesthetic applications for years and the results speak for themselves. Experience better satisfaction from your patients with better results from procedures. Use the platelet poor plasma!!!
Regenerative Regards,
Dr. Robert McGrath
