What is Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma, also called PRP, is the naturally occurring part of your blood that contains platelets, proteins, and many growth factors that helps heal tissue and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It has become a widely used clinically proven treatment in medical aesthetics and in medicine.
How do you get PRP from blood?
In my office, I have a centrifuge that spins a sterile vial of blood to separate the red blood cells (the red part of the blood) from the plasma (the “liquid GOLD”). I do a simple, quick blood draw to get a small sample of blood to use in the centrifuge (being an ICU nurse means I have years of experience with IVs and injections). Since it’s your own blood product, there are minimal risks to having it used for treatments and it is absorbed like any other fluid in your body, which is a great benefit!
How many PRP facial treatments are needed?
In my office, we use PRP most frequently with microneedling (the “vampire facial”) because the PRP is able to absorb into the deeper layers of your skin and stimulate rapid collagen production. This improves the appearance of pigmentation, skin texture, scarring, hydration, and fine lines. Results are best seen when used in at least 3 treatments spaced 4 weeks apart, allowing the skin to rejuvenate and heal between.
What is PRP for under eyes and for wrinkles?
Undereye PRP brightens the area under the eye, improves dark circles, and fills in volume loss that occurs naturally with aging. This results in fullness under the eye and a bright, awake, youthful appearance. Undereye PRP is performed in a series of two treatments and includes the SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream for follow-up use at home so you have the best results! Results can be long-lasting with annual maintenance appointments and regular at-home eye cream use.
PRP can also be used as a safe alternative to filler when it is a better fit for an individual patient. This is why I do a free consultation with each client before treatments, so we can carefully plan out the best treatments for your unique skin. The most common areas to use PRP in place of filler are under the eye and around the mouth in smile lines and wrinkles.
Using PRP for hair loss
Hair restoration is an exciting area of PRP use in my office. If you have trouble with hair loss or thinning, PRP can be injected directly into the thinning areas of the scalp. PRP for hair restoration works by stimulating growth factors, which helps hair follicles grow new and healthier hair. Since the collagen growth cycle is 3 weeks, it is important to perform a minimum of 3 treatments 4 weeks apart and to be patient as your hair enters a new growth phase.
Looking for the best PRP injector?
If you are interested in discussing how we can use PRP in your skin goals or if you already have a specific treatment in mind, contact me so we can chat more over a consultation.
*Results may vary from patient to patient
