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What Is PRP and How Can It Help You

What Is PRP and How Can It Help You

By Beverly Fischer on May 13, 2020

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When it comes to facial rejuvenation, most people have heard of options like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, Botox (or other) injections, and of course, cosmetic surgery.  What you might not know is that many minimally-invasive treatment options can be enhanced naturally by a substance your own body produces.

PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a substance found in your blood, and so far, it has largely been used in sports medicine, wound care, and even heart surgery, due to its healing properties.  How does this translate to facial rejuvenation and other cosmetic procedures?  Here’s what you should know about PRP and how it can help you.

What is PRP and Why is It so Popular?

PRP is a clear yellow substance that is separated out from your own blood and used as an injectable liquid.  It can be separated out by spinning your vial of blood in a specially calibrated spinning machine. The PRP separates from the blood – the red blood cells stay on the bottom of the tube and the yellow PRP moves to the top of the tube. Take a quick at this process in the video below. 

 

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For the purposes of cosmetic procedures, PRP is typically intended to stimulate collagen and elastin, which we produce less of as we age.  One of the common signs of aging is the skin itself becomes less plump and firm, causing sagging and hollowness, and this is related to collagen and elastin depletion.

PRP can be administered as an injection or paired with rejuvenation treatments like Vivace microneedling to enhance results and promote healing.  Many patients like the idea of using PRP because it is safe and natural – remember, it comes from your own body, which means you won’t have to worry about potential negative reactions.

PRP with Vivace Microneedling

Vivace microneedling is a procedure that combines microneedling with both radiofrequency (RF) and LED technologies to increase collagen production, firm and plump skin, remove acne scars and dark spots, and create a youthful glow.  The procedure consists of applying dozens of tiny needles to the face to create tiny pinpricks, stimulating a healing and rejuvenating response that is enhanced by RF and LED technologies.

PRP is an ideal supplement to this treatment for a couple of reasons.  Microneedling creates the tiny pinpricks required to penetrate below the surface of the skin so PRP can get deeper into the skin and do its magic.  Your PRP is able to dive into those tiny holes and enhance your results without any increased time demand for treatment.

PRP and Thinning Hair

While it’s easy to see how PRP can elevate facial rejuvenation, thanks to its ability to stimulate collagen and elastin, you might not understand what it can do for those fighting thinning hair. PRP contains concentrated growth factors and proteins that have the ability to counteract damage to hair follicles, increase blood flow to the area, and potentially slow hair loss and even help new hair to grow.

Treatment consists of PRP injections in the scalp, and while this might sound a little scary, it’s actually far less invasive than the procedure for placing hair plugs, for example.  What many patients appreciate is that this treatment option is safe and natural, unlike, say, the use of chemicals like minoxidil that may have side effects and may not even be effective.  The downtime of using PRP for hair growth is almost nothing. Most patients feel a slight discomfort the evening of or the following days, but it can be eased with over the counter pain relievers. In studies, PRP has proven most effective in treating conditions like androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata.

Other PRP Treatments

Several studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of PRP treatment as an agent for facial rejuvenation, and while results have been mixed, largely due to differences in preparation and injection methodologies, reported benefits include improvements to signs of aging such as wrinkles, as well as the tone, texture, and volume of the skin.  Research also notes that PRP treatments are safe and result in low complication rates.

If you need a trusted doctor to deliver safe and effective PRP treatments, contact Beverly Fischer, MD and the qualified team at The Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery today at 410-308-4700 or online to learn more and schedule a consultation

Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery | (410) 308-4700 | Website | More posts

Dr. Beverly A. Fischer is passionate about her role as a leading female plastic and cosmetic surgeon in Baltimore, Maryland and beyond. She believes that plastic surgery makes a positive, life-changing difference, whether you’re renewing your body, face, and skin or embarking on an entire gender transition.

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