PDGF, Regenerative Medicine and the Questions Med Spas Can’t Ignore

One of the things we love most about medical aesthetics is that innovation never stands still.

Every year, new technologies, treatments and ideas emerge that promise to improve outcomes, expand treatment options and give providers new ways to help patients look and feel their best. Sometimes those innovations become the next standard of care. Sometimes they fade away. And occasionally, they spark a debate that forces our industry to confront bigger questions about regulation, safety and the future of medicine itself.

At Medical Spa Show 2026, few topics generated more discussion than platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).

That’s why we dedicated a portion of the general session to a candid conversation about regenerative medicine, featuring some of the most respected voices in the space: Julie Bass Kaplan, Leslie Fletcher, Samuel Pondrom, JD, and Dr. Sheila Barbarino. The panel, titled The Regenerative Revolution, was created specifically to tackle the questions that med spa owners and providers are asking right now.

And if there was one takeaway from that discussion, it was this: The PDGF conversation is about much more than PDGF.

Why PDGF Has Become the Center of Attention

As regenerative medicine continues to gain momentum in aesthetics, PDGF has emerged as one of the most talked-about therapies in the industry.

According to panelist Leslie Fletcher, the attention is being driven by one thing above all else: results. She described outcomes as “noteworthy” and suggested that adoption is far more widespread than many people realize, even among providers who may be reluctant to discuss their use publicly.

Dr. Sheila Barbarino explained that she views PDGF as a regenerative tool that can stimulate collagen production and augment treatment outcomes. She pointed to research involving wound healing and tissue regeneration as one reason many providers have become interested in the technology.

Whether you agree with its use or not, it is impossible to deny that PDGF has become one of the defining conversations in regenerative aesthetics.

And that naturally leads to the next question.

If Providers Are Seeing Results, Why Is There So Much Controversy?

The answer lies at the intersection of medicine and law.

As happens so often in aesthetics, innovation has moved faster than regulation.

During the panel, Samuel Pondrom, JD, explained that much of the confusion stems from the way people frame the legal discussion. Many providers immediately focus on the FDA, but that only tells part of the story.

The controversy surrounding injectable PDGF largely centers on the fact that the product most commonly discussed in aesthetics is marketed as a cosmeceutical rather than a drug. That distinction raises important questions about intended use, route of administration and the legal framework governing treatment decisions.

As Pondrom reminded attendees, one of the most common phrases in medical aesthetics remains as true here as anywhere else:

“It varies from state to state.”

That may not be the answer providers want to hear, but it is often the correct one.

It is also consistent with what we have taught at AmSpa for years.

Medical aesthetics is governed primarily by state medical practice laws. Federal regulations matter. FDA guidance matters. But when evaluating whether a treatment can be incorporated into practice, providers must also understand their state’s laws, board positions, supervision requirements and standards of care.

The Bigger Issue: How Does Innovation Become Standard of Care?

One of the most fascinating parts of the discussion had nothing to do with PDGF itself.

Instead, it focused on how medical innovation evolves.

Several panelists expressed concern that providers who are exploring regenerative therapies often feel uncomfortable discussing their experiences publicly. Some cited criticism on social media, while others described an environment where clinicians are hesitant to share protocols or outcomes.

Regardless of where someone stands on PDGF, that point deserves consideration.

Standards of care do not develop in a vacuum. They develop through education, research, data collection, peer discussion and professional debate.

That is precisely why conferences like Medical Spa Show exist.

At AmSpa, we do not shy away from difficult conversations. We are interested in creating spaces where those conversations can occur responsibly, respectfully and with participation from clinical experts, attorneys and industry leaders.

The alternative—allowing rumor, speculation and social media outrage to drive decision-making—is not good for patients or providers.

What Are the Real Risks for Med Spas?

When asked whether providers could completely eliminate risk associated with emerging treatments, Pondrom’s answer was straightforward: No treatment is risk-free.

Instead, he emphasized the importance of creating a “defensible position.” That means doing the work before ever offering a treatment to patients.

According to the panel, that preparation may include:

• Understanding state-specific laws;
• Establishing appropriate supervision and delegation structures;
• Ensuring provider competence and training;
• Developing written protocols;
• Reviewing informed consent processes;
• Verifying product sourcing; and
• Consulting qualified legal counsel.

Those recommendations should sound familiar to anyone who has attended an AmSpa legal webinar or compliance course.

Because the truth is that these principles apply to far more than PDGF. They apply to every emerging treatment that enters the marketplace.

What Comes Next?

The regenerative medicine conversation is not going away. If anything, it is accelerating.

As new technologies emerge, providers will continue confronting difficult questions about evidence, regulation, patient demand and clinical innovation. The specific treatments may change, but the underlying challenges will remain the same.

Our role at AmSpa is not to tell providers what to think. Our role is to ensure they have access to the best information, the strongest legal guidance and the industry’s leading experts so they can make informed decisions for their practices and patients.

That is why we brought together attorneys, nurse practitioners, researchers and physician leaders for this discussion at Medical Spa Show 2026. And it is why we will continue covering the stories and controversies that matter most to medical aesthetics.

Stay Ahead of the Conversation

Regenerative medicine is only one example of how quickly this industry evolves. New treatments, regulatory developments and compliance questions emerge every month.
AmSpa members don’t have to navigate those changes alone.

Membership provides access to legal and compliance resources, state-by-state guidance, educational programming, industry advocacy and expert support, including resources developed in collaboration with our legal partners at ByrdAdatto.

If you want to stay ahead of the legal, clinical and business issues shaping the future of medical aesthetics, join AmSpa today. The conversations happening now will shape the industry for years to come, and members will be at the center of them.