PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
What is PRP?
PRP is a natural product created from your own body. A small amount of blood is drawn from you and placed in a sterile tube that is spun down in a centrifuge to separate the different components of the blood. Red and white blood cells are divided from the platelets and the plasma (the clear fluid). This plasma now contains a higher than normal number of platelets and is called platelet rich plasma, or PRP.
Why Platelets Rejuvenate Skin
Platelets are the cells in the blood that help tissue to heal and grow new cells. The PRP, injected into specific areas of the skin, act as a matrix that promotes your own collagen to grow, regenerates tissue, and thus acts as to naturally smooth and tighten the skin. In this way, PRP softens wrinkles and creating smoother skin texture and tone.
PRP Applications:
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Facial Rejuvenation
PRP has the benefit of stimulating collagen production when used on facial skin. Collagen is protein your body produces to keep the skin smooth, plump, and firm. As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen. Meanwhile, sun exposure, smoking, and other factors break down collagen even faster, causing wrinkles and sagging skin. PRP, however, can restore a more youthful look by helping your body produce more collagen. Microneedling with PRP (platelet rich plasma), treatment of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, lax skin, sun damaged, large pores, and uneven skin texture. It can be performed either on the face or body, and is suitable for all skin types and colors
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Scar Reduction
Few people realize how much PRP can do for depressed scars like certain types of acne scars. At Derma Laser Centers, we often use it as part of our acne scar surgery. Our experienced providers break up the scar tissue that pulls the skin downward. Then, the PRP is injected into the empty space below the skin, often along with either facial fillers or your own fat. While the fat or fillers restore the volume that was lost from the acne, injury, or surgery that left the scar, the PRP allows for natural collagen restoration to give the scar a more long-term, comprehensive improvement.
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Hair Restoration
PRP can help people with hair loss in a few ways. As its own treatment, PRP can enhance the health and size of shrinking hair follicles, slowing or stopping the progression of hair loss. In some cases, the PRP can be effective enough to stimulate new hair growth as well. For patients who undergo a hair transplant, the PRP can enhance and speed up the growth cycle of the transplanted hair follicles, producing results in less time than the surgery normally requires. When using PRP for hair restoration, there are a few ways it can be applied to the scalp. We can either begin with a micro needling procedure to create tiny pathways into the targeted layers of skin and then apply the PRP topically, or we can inject the PRP directly.
How long does the procedure take?
The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes to perform in your doctor’s office.
How many treatments are needed?
The number of treatments needed depends on each individual patient, the desired outcome, and your doctor’s treatment plan. As a stand-alone therapy, many physicians recommend a series of one to three injection sessions spaced from four to six weeks apart for optimal results.
Is the treatment painful?
Unlike other products that are acidic (low pH), PRP has close to physiologic pH. There may be some temporary discomfort during the application with Microneedling or injections, and occasional redness and bruising immediately following the treatment that resolves quickly.
Are there any side effects?
There have been no known side effects reported to date. Some patients may experience some mild irritation, swelling, bruising, itching, discoloration or tenderness at the injection sites. These are temporary conditions and typically resolve within two days.
How long does it last?
The longevity of the results of PRP treatments vary based on the extent of the procedure, areas treated, and number of sessions.
Can anyone be allergic to PRP?
There is virtually no risk of allergic reaction and no allergic reactions have been reported to date. The System is used to rapidly collect and isolate a patient’s own PRP for injection and contains no animal or synthetic products.
Results
The goal of PRP skin rejuvenation therapy is to improve skin tone and texture, tighten skin, soften lines and pores. Results begin to show 3-4 weeks after the treatment session and continue to improve with time. Three treatment sessions are generally recommended, spaced 1-2 months apart, to achieve the best outcome.
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