Platelet Rich Plasma for Facial Rejuvenation
What It Is
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP for short) is a type of serum that is derived from each patient’s own blood. PRP is a valuable material because it is a source of naturally occurring growth factors, and these growth factors can be used for skin rejuvenation. When PRP is delivered into the skin, it results in an activation of fibroblasts (the collagen producing cells in the skin), stimulation of new collagen formation, and improvement in the blood supply to the skin.
How It Works
PRP is created by first collecting a tube of blood from a patient and then centrifuging the blood. This separates the blood cells from the PRP. The PRP that results contains growth factors at a concentration that is much higher than the naturally occurring concentration of growth factors. This PRP serum is now collected and prepared for use.
Next, the PRP containing the growth factors is introduced into the skin. This is done in one of two ways. The PRP can be delivered into an area of wrinkles and aged skin with a series of very small injections. Alternatively, the PRP can be placed into the skin with a micro-needling pen.
The micro-needling pen creates a large number of controlled micro-punctures in the skin that are very shallow. This turns on the skin repair process, and results in an increased production of collagen and elastin. In addition, the PRP flows down these micro-punctures into the deeper layers of the skin where it produces a boost in new collagen formation and an improved blood supply to the skin.
Results
Patients treated with platelet rich plasma can expect an improvement in fine lines, skin texture, and facial scars. Platelet Rich Plasma treatments have no down time, although patients may be red for one or two days.
An optimum result from PRP occurs with 2-3 treatments approximately 6-8 weeks apart, and the results improve over time as new collagen is formed. The areas most commonly treated with PRP are the cheeks, the lips, the tissues around the eyes, and the hands.
Platelet Rich Plasma treatments are a relatively easy way for our patients to achieve significant rejuvenation of the facial skin. We are very excited to bring PRP treatment to our patients!