PRP for Facial and Hair Treatment

By Mikayla Cherneski RN

PRP is gaining momentum as an all-encompassing treatment that targets fine lines and wrinkles, many types of scarring, pigmentation, texture, tone, hair loss, and more. Can we change it to: PRP treatment is prevalent in aesthetics, dentistry, sports medicine, orthopedic surgery, and women’s health.

Reshare

What exactly is PRP, and how does it work?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. Plasma is the straw-colored liquid component of our blood; our red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets float around in the plasma. Platelets are critical players in our body’s wound-healing process. They are responsible for clotting (stopping bleeding) and building new tissue in the body. Platelets also contain numerous growth factors, which are proteins that assist the healing process in our body by sending specific messages to our cells. Growth factors are vital for speeding up skin regeneration, supporting collagen production, and wound healing.

PRP is an autologous treatment, meaning we use the patient’s blood product for their treatment – they are the donor and recipient. Using the plasma from one’s body means there is little to no risk of reaction, and the results are natural. PRP treatment is an excellent alternative for those looking to naturally enhance their appearance, add to a microneedling procedure, boost other cosmetic treatment results, or support hair growth.

PRP is known for its rich growth factors, stimulating collagen production and promoting the conditions for healing. PRP has 3x the number of platelets than whole blood – we call it “liquid gold.” Just some of the benefits of PRP treatment include the following:

+ Accelerated healing of aged and damaged tissue
+ Awakening dormant cells
+ Decreasing inflammation
+ Collagen regeneration
+ Hyaluronic acid production

Along with microneedling PRP into the skin, we can inject the PRP into the tear troughs (under eyes) and nasolabial folds (smile lines); many clients like this as an alternative to hyaluronic acid (HA) filler. The PRP aids in “re-densifying” or “thickening” the delicate, thin skin under the eyes or filling in the nasolabial fine lines/grooves by promoting collagen production. This is a fantastic option for clients wanting a natural rejuvenation approach or in-between HA filler or laser appointments.

What is to be expected during your PRP appointment?

First, one of the SKIN Clinics nurses will review the treatment, pre/post-care, and consent forms with you and allow you to ask questions. Then, we will draw a sample of your blood. After we bandage you up and offer you a beverage, you get to relax while we prepare the PRP. To do this, we put your blood in a centrifuge (a machine that spins rapidly) to separate and isolate the PRP from the rest of the blood. Depending on your concern, the “liquid gold” is microneedled or injected into targeted facial or scalp areas.

We strongly recommend at least 3 PRP treatments (whether it’s PRP Facial Treatment or PRP Hair Treatment) to see optimal results. Usually, patients will start with 3 treatments spaced 4 weeks apart, and then we will reassess. Because we are harnessing the body’s own resources, it takes some time for healing to occur. Treatment success depends on many factors, including how healthy you are, what is going on inside your body, the quality of your PRP, what is causing the concern, etc. Follow-up visits with our nurses are recommended to monitor the effectiveness of the PRP treatment.

PRP is a rapidly emerging treatment across many disciplines and for good reason. It has proven effective in numerous clinical applications, with a decade-long history of being a low-risk treatment. The growth-promoting properties of the platelets rapidly accelerate the repair of aged and damaged tissues. We love to use PRP for skin rejuvenation, advancing wound healing, scar revision, and hair loss. Consultations are always complimentary at SKIN Clinics, and we would love to discuss PRP’s numerous benefits with you!