Lyophilized Growth Factors in Dermatology: A Promising Approach for Skin Regeneration and Acne Scar Treatment

Abstract

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been increasingly used in regenerative medicine and dermatology because of its ability to provide growth factors that promote tissue repair and regeneration. However, conventional PRP has several limitations, including variability in platelet concentration and donor-dependent quality. Lyophilized growth factors (L-GF) have emerged as a standardized alternative derived from allogenic pathogen-free platelets with controlled platelet counts. The lyophilization process preserves biologically active growth factors while providing improved stability, reproducibility, and practicality for storage and clinical use. L-GF contains several bioactive mediators, including platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-β, epidermal growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor, which promote cellular migration and proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis, and angiogenesis. In dermatology, these regenerative properties have supported the application of L-GF in chronic ulcers, skin rejuvenation, acne scarring, burns, and reconstructive procedures. Furthermore, L-GF may be used alone or combined with procedures such as microneedling and fractional laser therapy, where enhanced delivery of growth factors into deeper dermal layers may promote collagen deposition, dermal regeneration, scar remodeling, and improved cosmetic outcomes.