WHAT IS PRP?
PRP, or Platelet-Rich Plasma, is a component of blood that can be used medically for its healing and rejuvenating capabilities. More specifically, PRP is a concentrated version of our own blood that has platelets and/or growth factors isolated in the plasma that influence growth and healing. It has been found that these factors can be used for rejuvenation of skin located on any part of the body, particularly the face.
HOW IS PRP USED FOR FACIAL AND SKIN REJUVENATION?
As is the case with other areas of the body, the component of your own blood that is isolated to PRP can be used on your skin for its healing and rejuvenating capabilities. The concentrated version of our own blood that has platelets and/or growth factors isolated in the plasma will, in the case of dermal injections, influence local tissue growth and repair of damaged tissue. The areas of the face that can be addressed include the:
- Forehead
- Nasio-labial folds/ Upper lip
- Chin
- Upper and lower eyelid area
- Cheeks
- Lips
AN ALL NATURAL AND LONG LASTING OPTION
Other traditional facial injectables for face and skin revitalization include synthetic and dermal fillers, or bacterial solutions as is the case with Botox. These traditional options may provide temporary facial rejuvenation, but they are eventually reabsorbed by the body, causing the limited “life-span” of results. Due to the fact that PRP is using each patient’s own bodily materials, permanent healing is promoted; one may obtain longer lasting results with this option than other aesthetic medical treatments for the skin. In some ways you can expect the procedure’s results will be permanent, although still subject to the normal aging process over time. In addition, the PRP injections are natural and non-toxic, removing the possibility of adverse or allergic reactions. Benefits of PRP for the face and skin include:
- Natural means of producing stronger, softer skin that reduces fine lines and wrinkles while improving tone and quality
- Very few contraindications, no adverse or allergic reactions
- Very short recovery time
- Rapid results with long-term benefits
- Can target any damaged area of skin for accelerated healing
- Simple injection that is received at your doctor’s office
WHAT IS A PRP FACIAL?
A PRP facial is a procedure that combines PRP with another procedure called microneedling. This combination allows you to get the best of both treatments with quicker results. The microneedling creates micro-injuries in the skin, which increases surface area and allow for greater absorption. Microneedling helps to influence the healing process of the skin in itself, but also takes on the role of allowing the PRP (which is applied topically to the skin) to have the opportunity to reach these newly created deeper areas. By increasing the surface area of the skin through microneedling, the PRP is absorbed more efficiently because there is more contact with skin tissue. This combination allows for greater and faster cell regeneration than using either treatment alone.
Combining PRP with Microneedling is one of the most effective treatments for textured acne scars, and is especially effective in patients with Asian and Middle Eastern skin types, which have historically lacked effective and aggressive medical treatments.
The facial actually begins by drawing a small amount of blood, like a regular blood test. It is no different or more painful than any other blood draw you have participated in before. Then, your blood will be placed in a centrifuge, which will separate your blood platelets from your blood plasma. The PRP collected is then loaded into a syringe for injection into the area of interest or applied topically over microneedled sites. Before having the treatment, the injection area will be numbed, so you do not have to have the expectation of feeling the injections or applications during the procedure.
IS PRP FACIAL FOR ME?
Patients who are older who have UV damage or damaged skin tissue in general will particularly benefit from PRP facial treatment, but younger people benefit from the treatment just as well. PRP can be used as an anti-aging solution on a long term basis, especially if starting at a young age because it stimulates the growth and regeneration of the cells over a long period of time, as opposed to waiting for skin condition and volume to reach a point that is difficult to repair. Furthermore, PRP remains one of the few effective treatments for the lip lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth (nasiolabial folds) that is non-surgical, natural (uses your own blood), and causes little to no downtime.
- Influence thicker, smoother skin, reduce lines and wrinkles on any part of the body
- Improve skin tone and quality
SINGLE VERSUS DUAL SPIN METHODS
Not all PRP is the same; there are two different methods of creating PRP. A centrifuge is used in both instances, but the nature of how the blood is manipulated to prepare the PRP solution is slightly different for each instance:
- Single Spin, which utilizes entrapment of red blood cells (lower yield of concentrated platelets)
- Dual Spin, which utilizes blood density for separation of red blood cells and components of platelets (higher yield of concentrated platelets)
The Single Spin Method produces PRP with about 1.5-2.5x the amount of platelets as baseline blood whereas the Dual Spin Centrifuge produces PRP with 5-7x the amount of platelets as baseline blood, therefore the Dual Spin method produces roughly 3x the amount of platelets as the Single Spin. Patients may experience varied outcomes with PRP applications, and this is generally attributed to the way in which the PRP was prepared. The best results occur when PRP contains important growth factors, stem cells, and cytokines that increase healing capabilities, which are preserved by the Dual Spin method. Here at Sleep and Wellness, we create pure PRP with our state of the art Dual Spin Centrifuge, which is capable of producing the highest level of platelets per mL.
IS THERE DOWNTIME OR RECOVERY AFTER PRP?
Due to the natural and non-surgical approach of PRP, the procedure causes little to no downtime. The actual recovery period depends on the procedure or procedures performed. PRP may actually reduce total downtime when combined with other procedures due to its ability to enhance healing. Feel free to call and ask to schedule an appointment if you are interested in learning more about PRP.
Pregnant women are not recommended to receive this treatment, as well as patients with autoimmune diseases. Those being treated with anticoagulation medication, or those who have been diagnosed with cancer should also avoid this type of treatment.