THE PRINCESS AND THE PRP

Regenerative expert, nurse Claudia McGloin answers all your burning questions

“WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND SAFEST CANNULA TYPE FOR DELIVERING PRP GEL AND PRF?”

While much attention is given to the preparation protocols of PRP and PRF – including centrifugation speed, blood volume, and activation methods – the method of delivery, particularly the choice of cannula, plays an equally critical role in clinical success. The physical properties of PRP gel and PRF vary significantly in viscosity and fibrin content, directly influencing how they behave during injection. Selecting an appropriate cannula is essential not only for achieving accurate placement and consistent flow but also for minimising patient discomfort, reducing the risk of vascular complications, and preserving the structural integrity of the biological material. Therefore, delivery technique should be regarded as a key determinant of therapeutic efficacy and safety, not a secondary consideration.

Cannulas have increasingly replaced traditional hypodermic needles for soft tissue injection in aesthetic and regenerative procedures. The primary advantage of a cannula lies in its blunt tip, which allows for tissue navigation with minimal trauma and significantly reduces the risk of vascular injury. This is especially important in high-risk anatomical areas such as the tear trough, glabella, and nasolabial fold.

For PRP gel and PRF, the physical properties of the substances ranging from viscous to semi-solid make cannula choice even more vital. Unlike thin injectable fillers, PRP gel and PRF are thicker and more fibrous, requiring wider lumens and stronger cannula materials to ensure proper flow without degrading the product.

Not all PRP is created equal

One of the key considerations when selecting a cannula is understanding that not all PRP and PRF preparations are the same. Differences in centrifugation speed, time, and whether anticoagulants or activation agents are used lead to wide variability in platelet concentration fibrin content and viscosity which will have an impact on the cannula size.

Cannula gauge: Matching diameter to product viscosity

PRP gel: A 25G or 27G blunt-tip cannula is ideal. These gauges provide sufficient internal diameter to allow smooth product flow while still minimising patient discomfort.

PRF: Due to its dense, fibrous consistency, a 22G or 21G cannula is preferred but a 25G cannula can be used. Attempting to inject PRF through a smaller gauge (e.g., 27G) may cause clogging, disrupt the fibrin structure, and reduce efficacy. Larger gauges are particularly important for maintaining the structural integrity of PRF, ensuring that its regenerative potential remains intact during delivery.

Blunt-tip cannulas are widely regarded as the standard for soft tissue delivery of PRP gel and PRF, offering significant safety advantages over sharp needles. Their rounded or dome-shaped tips are particularly beneficial in areas with fibrotic tissue or previous treatments, allowing smoother navigation with less resistance. From a safety perspective, cannulas reduce the likelihood of vascular injury due to their blunt design, which is less prone to penetrating blood vessels especially critical in high-risk anatomical regions. Compared to multiple needle punctures, they also cause less tissue trauma, leading to reduced bruising, swelling, and downtime.

Using an appropriately sized cannula, especially for PRF, helps preserve the fibrin matrix during injection, maintaining the biologic’s structural and regenerative properties. Furthermore, the ability to deposit product through a single-entry point using fanning or linear threading techniques enhances precision, improves coverage, and minimizes patient discomfort.

Claims that a specific cannula brand outperforms others or eliminates clogging are currently unsupported by peer-reviewed clinical evidence. While manufacturers may market proprietary designs as superior, there is no published data conclusively demonstrating reduced clogging or improved clinical outcomes compared to other CE-marked or FDA-approved cannulas. Until such data becomes available, clinicians should base cannula selection on product viscosity, anatomical application, and personal experience rather than unverified marketing claims.

If you have questions regarding any aspect of regenerative medicine – PRP, PPP, PRF, polynucleotides, exosomes – or questions relating to treatments, please get in touch, either by contacting Aesthetic Medicine magazine or emailing claudia@thenewyouclinic.ie.

CLAUDIA MCGLOIN

Claudia McGloin is a registered nurse and holds dual registration in both the UK and Ireland. With more than 27 years’ nursing experience, McGloin is the clinical director and nurse practitioner at The New You Clinic in Sligo. She is one of Ireland’s leading platelet-rich plasma experts and has performed thousands of PRP treatments. She has shared her expertise on the international stage and in various publications.