Platelet-rich Plasma
PRP the New Youth Enhancing Treatment in Medical Aesthetics
A Common Question, What’s PRP?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is an autologous concentrated preparation of platelets and the associated growth factors in a small volume of plasma. Platelets are a natural source of a number of growth factors in their natural and biologically-determined ratios.
In recent years, doctors have learned that the body has the ability to heal itself. This is the rationale behind platelet rich plasma and platelet rich plasma therapy. It is a form of regenerative medicine that can make use of the body’s way to amplify the natural growth factors that your body utilizes to heal tissue.
Plasma is the liquid portion of the whole blood. It is composed largely of proteins and water, and it provides a medium for white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets to circulate through the body. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are blood cells that cause blood clots and other necessary growth healing functions.
Platelet activation plays a vital role in the body’s natural healing process. PRP injections make use of a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to speed up the healing of injured tendons, muscles, ligaments, joints, and soft tissue injuries.
PRP injections could treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. For example, chronic tendon injuries like jumper’s knee or tennis elbow can often take a while to heal. Adding platelet rich plasma shots to a treatment regimen can help stimulate the healing process and decrease pain, allowing the patient to return to the normal routine. It is used for musculoskeletal injuries and tissue repair.
Platelet Growth Factors
Upon activation, platelets release growth factors and other molecules. These growth factors are regeneration-promoting signaling molecules, such as Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), Transforming Growth Factor group (TGF), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), and others. These molecules are shown to regulate the healing cascade, including inflammation and cell proliferation.
What is PRP Used For?
Platelet Rich Plasma is used for a variety of medical treatments, including wound healing and joint pain. PRP is also a wonderful treatment for hair growth and restoration. The plasma that comes from your own body is injected into specific areas of the scalp and will stimulate growth at the follicle.
PRP is used for:
- Tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint injuries
- Post-surgical healing
- Osteoarthritis
- Hair loss
- Skin Rejuvenation
Here at Prescott Medical Aesthetics, we specialize in using platelet rich plasma injections to give patients a more youthful look using this natural aesthetics approach.
How Many PRP Treatments are Needed?
As with most aesthetic treatments, the PRP cosmetic treatment varies greatly from patient to patient. We conveniently package treatments in a series of three as this is an average number of treatments to achieve results. However, depending on the condition that needs to be treated, this number can be 6-8, with 1-2 maintenance treatments per year. Hair restoration can take longer depending on the severity of loss.
Typically, six or more treatments are needed and then maintenance will be necessary.
What is a PRP Facial?
PRP injections go under the skin helping to give volume to the cheeks, reduce the look of deep tear troughs and nasolabial folds. Platelet rich plasma injections can also be used in addition to fillers to help prolong those treatments.
Platelet rich plasma therapy can also be used in microneedling to help wrinkles and reduce fine lines on the face, give skin a smoother appearance, and reduce the look of acne scarring.
How to prepare for Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections
There are many ways to prepare for platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections. This depends on how you receive the injections. PRP can be injected in many different ways.
For example, sometimes a topical numbing lidocaine solution is applied to your scalp before injection. You may have to arrive earlier on a treatment session if this is the case.
In some cases, a local anesthetic is mixed with the PRP to reduce any kind of discomfort.
What You Can Expect for Your PRP Treatment
Since PRP treatment is made from your own blood, appointments start with a blood draw, then the vial of blood is spun down in a centrifuge for 10 minutes. During this time, you will likely have numbing cream applied to your face for optimal comfort. The platelet rich plasma will be injected in strategic areas around the face, and if you choose the add-on service of micro needling, that will be performed at the end.
Treatments take from 45 minutes to an hour.
What is the recovery time for PRP injections?
When PRP is injected after an injury, your doctor might recommend that you give the affected area some rest. However, these recommendations are more related to the injury rather than the PRP injections. Most people can go on with their daily routines after PRP injections.
Since PRP injections are designed to promote growth and healing, you might notice an immediate difference after getting the injections. However, in several weeks or months, the area of injury could begin to grow faster and grow more hair than you would have expected if you had not received PRP injections.
You’re in the Quality Care at Prescott Medical Aesthetics
Dr. Harris is a trained and highly-qualified aesthetician with a medical background as a primary care physician. The PRP cosmetic treatment is one of her favorites to perform with her clients.
Learn more with a phone call with Dr. Harris. She will answer all of your questions about this state-of-the-art natural beauty-enhancing treatment.
We Are Not Plastic Surgeons,
We Are Medical Aestheticians
This means you receive the highest-quality medical care for all your skincare procedures. We perform minimally-invasive procedures with little to no pain and less downtime.
When you choose to have your treatments with us, you will get the results you desire - a new, youthful face.
We are professionally trained and experienced medical aestheticians who perform these procedures with a careful hand and expertise.
Schedule a consultation with us today to discover the perfect treatment for you!!
