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Managing Facial Laxity in Patients With Comorbidities: What Can Meta Cell Activated PRP Offer?
Introduction
Facial ageing can involve dermal changes, reduced elasticity and soft-tissue laxity. For some patients, comorbidities may make more invasive medical-aesthetic procedures unsuitable, creating a need to carefully assess alternative approaches. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is prepared from a patient’s own blood and contains platelets and associated growth factors; photothermal-bioactivated PRP (PTBA-PRP) or Meta Cell Technology activated PRP adds a light-and-temperature conditioning step before administration.
Hernández Sanz and Pinto evaluated PTBA-PRP/Meta Cell Activated PRP in a prospective, single-centre, non-randomised pilot study involving patients who were not eligible for other medical-aesthetic treatments. The study reported changes in clinician-rated laxity, patient and physician satisfaction, and treatment-related effects over a short follow-up period. Its small sample and study design mean the findings should be interpreted as preliminary clinical observations, not definitive evidence of efficacy or long-term durability. [1]
Introducing MCT™ Meta Cell Technology
The publication describes PTBA-PRP/Meta Cell Activated PRP prepared using the MCT Unit and a sterile, single-use MCT Kit. In the study protocol, PRP was obtained from autologous blood and then exposed to light and controlled temperature as part of the preparation process. This provides a clinical context for discussing MCT™ Meta Cell Technology with practitioners in Australia.
The paper evaluates a specific PTBA-PRP/Meta Cell Activated PRP protocol in a small group of patients. It should not be interpreted as proof that every MCT™ product, protocol or indication has the same outcomes. Clinicians should follow the current locally applicable instructions for use, device requirements and professional guidance.
Clinical rationale: facial laxity and patient context
The authors focused on patients whose comorbidities made other, more aggressive medical-aesthetic treatments unsuitable. The study included women aged 42–63 years. Six received treatment to the face and neck, while one received treatment to the lower face and neck. This narrow cohort is important when considering how far the findings can be generalised.
The paper describes facial laxity assessment across the upper face, lower face and neck. Clinical evaluation should account for the distribution and degree of laxity, patient history, relevant comorbidities, treatment goals and whether the proposed approach is appropriate for the individual. The publication does not establish a broad eligibility algorithm for routine practice.
Treatment preparation and administration
The authors described PTBA-PRP/Meta Cell Activated PRP preparation in two stages: standard PRP processing followed by photothermal stimulation. Autologous blood was collected in a closed system and centrifuged; the platelet fraction was separated and PRP prepared before being placed in the MCT Kit for stimulation using the MCT Unit.
Study component | Protocol described in the publication |
Blood collection and processing | 30 mL of autologous blood; centrifuged at 3,500 rpm for 5 minutes; 10 mL of PRP obtained. |
Photothermal stimulation | MCT Unit protocol using 623 nm light and 5.6 J, with the sample at 4°C simultaneously. |
Administration | Superficial point-to-point mesotherapy using a 30G½ needle at a reported depth of 2.0 mm. |
Volume reported | Approximately 8–10 mL distributed over the face or neck. |
These are the parameters reported in this specific study, not standalone instructions for treatment. The article should not replace current device instructions, training or clinical judgement.
Clinical observations and published cases
The authors assessed laxity before treatment visits using the Facial Laxity Rating Scale and collected patient and physician satisfaction ratings. All patients showed a reduction in laxity class in at least one treated area. The authors also reported that 84.5% achieved at least a one-level reduction in laxity grade. Six patients completed all four treatment visits; one completed two.
Facial treatment: before-and-after
Neck treatment: before-and-after
The images illustrate individual cases reported in the paper. They should not be interpreted as representative outcomes or a guarantee of results for other patients.
Safety and tolerability
The authors described adverse effects as generally mild and resolving without sequelae, but the paper also records an important exception: one patient experienced an allergic or cold-related reaction with facial oedema requiring medical treatment, with a less severe recurrence during a later session. This detail matters when summarising safety and should not be hidden by a broad statement that the treatment was well tolerated.
Safety consideration | What the study reported |
Pain | Pain was usually mild; the authors reported mild pain in 57.7% of treatment sessions assessed. |
Local effects | The study recorded events including erythema, bruising/haematoma, nodules and oedema. |
Notable reaction | One patient developed facial oedema described as an allergic or cold-related reaction and required medical treatment; a less severe recurrence occurred at a later session. |
Overall interpretation | The small sample cannot reliably identify uncommon adverse events or establish safety across broader patient populations. |
Conclusion
This pilot study provides an early clinical account of photothermal-bioactivated PRP/Meta Cell Activated PRP for facial and neck laxity in patients considered unsuitable for other medical-aesthetic procedures. The authors reported reductions in clinician-rated laxity and favourable satisfaction, while most recorded adverse effects were described as mild. However, the small, non-randomised cohort and short follow-up limit the strength and generalisability of these findings.
For practitioners exploring MCT™ Meta Cell Technology in Australia, the paper offers context on one published PTBA-PRP protocol and its clinical observations. It should support informed discussion, not replace device-specific instructions or be treated as conclusive evidence for every MCT™ application. Explore Athena BioMed’s Meta Cell Technology/MCT™ resources to learn more about the technology and its intended clinical context.
References
1. Hernández Sanz C, Pinto H. Efficacy of photo-thermal-bioactivated platelet-rich plasma for skin biostimulation in patients not eligible for other medical-aesthetic treatment: A pilot study. Skin Research and Technology. 2023;29:e13412. https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13412
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