A Natural Approach to Skin Rejuvenation
There has been much excitement over the use of growth factors and stem cells to help heal wounds and improve the skin.
The field of Regenerative Medicine involves the process of replacing or regenerating human cells, tissues and organs to restore or establish normal function.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a cutting-edge advancement in Regenerative Medicine in which a person’s own blood is used to help rejuvenate their body. PRP can be used in both facial and bodily rejuvenation.
Platelets are an important part of a body’s healing system that stop bleeding and repair damaged blood vessels. They do this by secreting growth factors that attract new healing cells. These healing cells rebuild the tissue and restore collagen and elastic fibers, which improve a healing wound.
By taking a person’s own blood and spinning it in a centrifuge, it’s possible to separate out these amazing healing platelets from the blood. These separated platelets are very concentrated. When drawn up in a syringe and placed on the skin or injected in the skin, they can act as a powerful source of healing and tissue rejuvenation.
In this concentrated PRP, there are many growth factors and cytokines, which are like a flashing beacon that call a body’s own stem cells to the area. The combination of these growth factors, cytokines and stem cells can have very positive effect on body healing and skin rejuvenation.
What are the differences between Platelet Rich Plasma and Dermal Fillers?
Whereas both Dermal Fillers (like Restylane®, Juvederm® and Radiesse®) and Platelet Rich Plasma can be used to replace lost volume in the face or body, there are some differences.
Traditional Dermal Fillers are great in giving immediate effects, but these effects can wane over the course of a year. Platelet Rich Plasma, in contrast, can take a few months to work, but since it’s the patient’s own collagen that is generated, the effects can last 1-2 years. This is because the cytokines and stem cells continue to produce collagen long after the initial Platelet Rich Plasma injection.
Also, some people like the idea of looking better gradually so that others don’t see a drastic immediate change in their appearance. Platelet Rich Plasma can be a useful tool in achieving this gradual natural rejuvenation.
Finally, where Platelet Rich Plasma is generated from a patient’s own body, Dermal Fillers—though extremely safe—come from a manufacturing process.
What are the benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma?
Platelet Rich Plasma is great for patients who prefer using their body’s own regenerative power to rejuvenate their skin. Platelet Rich Plasma can be used for a variety of concerns, including:
- Skin wrinkles
- Skin rejuvenation
- Acne scars
- Body scars
- Stretch marks
- Hair rejuvenation
What procedures work better with Platelet Rich Plasma?
Facial Fillers: Platelet Rich Plasma can be combined with Dermal Fillers (like Restylane®, Juvederm® and Radiesse®) to give an extra boost to the collagen growth response. The immediate effects of Dermal Fillers can lead to longer results with Platelet Rich Plasma collagen growth helping the results.
Micro-Needling: Creating a wound and allowing the skin to heal itself is an important concept in body, facial and skin rejuvenation. Using tiny needles to injure the top layer of the skin via Micro-Needling can result in better-quality skin. By partnering this procedure with Platelet Rich Plasma, recovery time is shortened and the growth factors that fall into the micro-channel wounds lead to even better collagen and elastic fiber deposition.
What can I expect?
- Blood is withdrawn from a patient in a special test tube.
- The tube in placed in a centrifuge, which spins at a specific rate and time to separate out the Platelet Rich Plasma.
- The platelets and Platelet Rich Plasma are injected into the face, neck or body using tiny needles.
- Over 3 months, the growth of new collagen and other younger tissues, which improves the skin, is seen.
- A second session may be recommended based on initial results.
Following the procedure, patients will notice some redness of the skin and a tight, tingling feeling. This is an indication that the healing and rejuvenation response has been activated. Over the next few months, patients will notice improved quality and suppleness in their skin.
The first follow-up appointment will be about a month later. The patient’s response to the treatment will be assessed at that time, and additional treatments may be recommended.