Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Skin ageing unfortunately already starts from the early 30’s. Sun exposure, smoking and other exogenous factors accelerate ageing and lead to the formation of fine lines and rhytids, discolorations, dark circles around the eyes and skin laxity.
How does Platelet Rich Plasma treatment work?
Where is this treatment used?
How is PRP treatment performed?
How many treatments do I need?
What is Platelet Rich Plasma treatment?
Platelet Rich Plasma treatment or autologous mesotherapy with platelet rich plasma (as is its scientific name) is a revolutionary antiageing treatment that takes advantage of the healing and regenerative capability of our own body to rejuvenate our skin.
How does Platelet Rich Plasma treatment work?
Platelets are blood cells that play a major role in wound healing and tissue regeneration through the release of growth factors. These growth factors promote the proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocyres, that is the cells that produce collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and keratin, activate the skin’s stem cells and play an important role in angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels).
This whole process results in the rejuvenation of the skin, with increase of the thickness and improvement of the texture of the epidermis, improvement of fine lines and leads to the reversal of the skin ageing process.
Has this treatment been thoroughly tested?
Platelet rich plasma treatment has been is use for several years in orthopedics for the promotion of healing of orthopedic injuries as well as in reconstructive surgery to help promote healing of difficult skin wounds. Top tennis player Rafael Nadal received PRP treatment to his left knee and returned to win three grand slam titles. Another example is the world’s top golf player, Tiger Woods, who received PRP treatment to his knee in 2008. Platelet rich plasma treatment has been in use in aesthetic surgery since 2009.
Where is this treatment used?>
Apart from orthopedics and reconstructive surgery mentioned above, platelet rich plasma treatment is being used in aesthetic surgery as an anti-ageing and rejuvenating treatment, in the treatment of acne scarring and striae, as well as in the treatment of hair loss.
How is PRP treatment performed?
The whole process is fairly simple. A small quantity of blood is drawn from the patient (just as for a blood test), which is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the red blood cells. The platelets are then resuspended in the plasma with a concentration 1.6 to 7 times the normal concentration of platelets in the blood, hence it is called Platelet Rich Plasma. The PRP is then injected superficially into the skin with a very fine needle, the platelets are activated by the body’s own coagulation factors and start releasing their growth factors.
Is the treatment painful?
The treatment is virtually painless thanks to the use of a topical anaesthetic cream. This cream has to be applied one hour before the treatment.
How long does the treatment last?
The whole treatment takes about an hour and a half. This includes one hour of topical anaesthetic cream application.
Are there any side-effects or contraindications to this treatment?
PRP is immunology neutral, which means that there is no danger of allergy, hypersensitivity or foreign-body reactions. It comes from our own body and contains no foreign substances. Contraindications of PRP treatment are platelet diseases or low platelet count (poor PRP quality), anticoagulation therapy (blood thinners), hemodynamic instability, sepsis, local infection at the site of injection, and blood cancer. Adverse effects are usually confined to bruising. Bruising can be avoided if instead of injecting PRP, this is applied on the skin after a micro-needling session, as Kim Kardashian did on her show, but this mode of application has inferior results to injection.
How many treatments do I need?
We usually recommend having 2 treatments within 3 months, and subsequently, 1-2 treatments every year.
How does PRP compare with injections of fillers, botulinum toxin, lasers and facial surgery?
PRP is a subtle anti-ageing treatment that builds tissue over time but does not replace other facial treatments or facial surgery. It can be combined with dermal fillers, botulinum toxin injections and laser rejuvenation, as well as facial surgery to achieve optimal results.
Pictures (c) ASPS, ASAPS, AAFPRS, ADAM, Allergan, QMed
