Critical Insights on Preparation of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Tubes With a Thixotropic Gel Separator

Thixotropic gels are the preferred choice in the collection of platelet-rich plasma as an easy solution to operator variability. One often unnoticed shortcoming is the entrapment of platelets in the gel layer's uppermost surface. We provide instructions to optimize platelet yield, ie, agitation to re-suspend platelets, setting the optimal G-force and time of centrifugation, and the essential use of a horizontal swing bucket centrifuge. We conclude that this technique represents a new clinical and research direction, particularly to optimize platelet counts. We therefore encourage others to utilize this technique in future endeavors. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(11):979-985. doi:10.36849/JDD.7983.