Should PDGF (Platelet Derived Growth Factor) be Injected for Cosmetic Purposes?
In recent years, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) has gained attention in the aesthetic and regenerative medicine space. While growth factors play an important role in wound healing and tissue repair, it is critical to understand the risks, regulatory status, and lack of research behind the injection of PDGF. Ariessence is the maker of pure PDGF+ which is touted to help promote skin rejuvenation by using recombinant technology to produce a sterile, pharmaceutical-grade PDGF product.
What does PDGF Do?
PDGF is released by platelets, fibroblasts, and other cells at sites of injury, where it helps:
Stimulate cell division and growth – especially in fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and glial cells.
Promote angiogenesis – the formation of new blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients to healing tissue.
Support wound healing and regeneration – by attracting cells needed for repair, such as fibroblasts and macrophages.
What is the proper classification of PDGF?
PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor) is a naturally occurring protein found in the body that plays a key role in cell growth, tissue repair, and wound healing. Since PDGF has bioliogic properties, some would argue that it cannot be classified as a “cosmetic” product.
Where is Ariessence PDGF being injected?
Despite the website description that Arriesence PDGF is a “cosmetic” product that should only be used “topically”, they also imply that the product is “pure” (thus appropriate for injection). Many injectors are suggesting “off-label” use of PDGF. Common areas currently being injected at many medical spas, dermatology and plastic surgeon’s offices include the under eye region and the scalp.
Under Eyes (tear trough) - to improve skin brightness, thickness, and elasticity
Scalp - to promote hair growth
Is PDGF FDA-Cleared for Injection for cosmetic purposes?
Ariessense pure PDGF+ reportedly contains up to 300,000 times the growth factor concentration of competitive applications, and consists of four ingredients: water, sodium acetate, hyaluronic acid, and sh-polypeptide-59 dimer. It is marketed for topical application after cosmetic procedures such as microneedling and lasers to boost recovery and enhance results. Although cosmeceutical products for topical use are not required to undergo FDA clearance, Ariessence advertises that their company “has 4 FDA approvals in other medical treatments” (GEM 21S®, Augment®, Augment®Injectable, and Regranex®). Their website also states that Ariessence pure PDGF+ “is marketed as a cosmetic product and is not intended for any therapeutic use.”
PDGF is currently not FDA-cleared for injection into the skin for aesthetic purposes. The FDA strictly regulates what products and biologics can be injected, and PDGF has not undergone the rigorous testing required to prove its safety and effectiveness in this form. Using a substance outside of its approved indication puts patients at unnecessary risk without clinical proven long-term benefit.
What are the potential complications of PDGF Injections?
Because PDGF has not been specifically studied for aesthetic injections, there is still much to learn about the product in this regard. Many providers have started posting on Instagram about outcomes and complications related to PDGF injections. I would encourage you to have a look at @drgerstmannyc for photos and Instagram posts about PDGF complications. Her Instagram posts reveal several examples of patients having undesirable cosmetic outcomes related to PDGF injections. Because there is no associated objective data such as biopsy or imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound, etc) coupled with her photos, one can only surmise what the skin appearances are caused by. Viable possibilities include cellular hyperplasia, excess collagen build-up, nodules, or granulomas.
Link to Cancer Cell Proliferation
Scientific literature has shown that PDGF signaling can be associated with the proliferation of certain cancer cells. Because growth factors stimulate cell activity, there is concern that injected PDGF could potentially contribute to abnormal or uncontrolled cell growth. Until proven otherwise in large-scale, long-term studies, this risk should not be ignored. Clinical research links showing PDGF with cancer association: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5983/ . https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37002577/#:~:text=To%20combat%20hypoxia%20in%20the,;%20PDGF%20receptors;%20Signaling%20pathway. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3525704/#:~:text=Autocrine%20PDGF%20signaling%20has%20also,in%20breast%20cancer%5B9%5D. https://www.oncotarget.com/article/14283/text/#:~:text=Our%20results%20showed%20that%20up,in%20CRC%20is%20still%20unknown. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1526820921001476. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7709832/#:~:text=PDGF%2DBB%20administration%20at%20%3E25,expression%20of%20its%20downstream%20genes.
How PDGF Contributes to Cancer Development and Progression:
Direct Tumor Growth: PDGF can drive tumor cells to grow and divide through autocrine signaling. In this process, tumor cells release PDGF and then bind it to their own receptors, creating a self-sustaining cycle that fuels uncontrolled growth.
Angiogenesis (Blood Vessel Formation): PDGF promotes the development of new blood vessels, supplying tumors with oxygen and nutrients necessary for continued survival and expansion.
Metastasis:
Lymphatic Spread: PDGF can stimulate the formation of new lymphatic vessels, making it easier for cancer cells to migrate to lymph nodes.
EMT and Invasion: PDGF signaling can trigger epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that increases tumor cell mobility and invasiveness, enabling cancer to spread.
Tumor Microenvironment Modulation: PDGF affects not only tumor cells but also surrounding stromal and vascular cells, shaping the tumor microenvironment. This interaction can enhance tumor growth, promote spread, and contribute to resistance against therapies.
Cancers Linked to PDGF Signaling:
Gliomas
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
Myelomonocytic leukemia
Nonmelanoma skin cancers (e.g., basal cell carcinoma)
Breast cancer
Colorectal cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Lack of Clinical Trials and Long-Term Data
Another major concern is the absence of clinical trials examining the long-term safety or efficacy of PDGF injection in aesthetics or medicine. Without peer-reviewed studies or data on outcomes over time, there is no way to ensure patient safety. Using products that lack evidence-based backing undermines medical ethics and patient trust.
At Rejuve Medspa, Dr. Kaplan makes sure that clients are well informed of both benefits and risks of cosmetic injections. Dr. Kaplan does not inject PDGF at Rejuve Medspa. She recommends caution when others are considering it as an option for their under eye area, scalp or other cosmetic purposes.
What can be done about PDGF Complications?
Because there is no conclusive scientific data about what causes complications from PDGF cosmetic injections, the potential solutions would also be unclear. When considering treatment options, it is helpful to understand the root cause of the problem. Some are suggesting that corticosteroid injections be employed; however, I would caution against the used of subcutaneous steroid injections as they can lead to fat loss. There is no conclusive evidence that microneedling, Radiofrequency, or lasers would be effective to reduce the appearance of skin lesions caused by PDGF injections. Surgical removal would be an option for treatment of PDGF complications, but surgery will lead to scar formation which can be equally unsightly. In summary, no good options currently exist for the treatment of PDGF complications.