Platelet Rich Plasma with Microneedling
How It Works
Platelet rich plasma, or PRP – also known as Collagen Induction Therapy – is a treatment that uses your own concentrated blood plasma to stimulate healing and growth of collagen – the building block for hair and skin. We use PRP for hair loss. But we also love to use PRP in combination with microneedling for skin rejuvenation, the treatment of scars, wrinkling and volume loss, and faster healing. When combined with microneedling (which can be done with or without PRP) the PRP promotes quicker healing of the newly micro-needled skin. We first take a sample of your own blood, and then concentrate and separate the red and white cells from the platelets and the plasma. The rich platelets that contain growth factors are in this concentrated plasma, and they are re-administered into your skin after your microneedling session.
The Science Behind The Treatment
Platelets are the cells in the blood that help tissue to heal and stimulate new cell growth. When the PRP is injected into specific areas of the skin, it acts as a matrix that promotes your own collagen to grow and regenerate tissue as well as speed up the skin’s repair process. This repair process results in smoother, tighter skin, less scarring, and improved skin tone. Microneedling maximizes the depth that plasma can penetrate and also creates micro-channels for select product to travel into.
How to Prepare
Please tell us if you have ever had any injectable medication before or any other procedure to treat wrinkles. Let us know if you have a history of cold sores or have ever had an adverse reaction to dermal fillers, injectable botulism or similar treatments in the past. In addition, we need to know if you have any history of blood clotting disorders. We may suggest medications prior and after treatment for optimal healing. We may advise you to suspend the use of certain medications or supplements for a week before the treatment.
What to Expect
To obtain your blood plasma, your blood will be drawn prior to your procedure. While the PRP is being prepared, your skin will be cleansed and numbed. After separating the highly concentrated platelet rich plasma from your own blood sample, it will be prepared to be paired with microneedling. First we will the less concentrated plasma is applied to the surface of your skin. A microneedling pen that is comprised of sterile needle tips is used to create controlled micro channels in your skin. This creates tissue injury, which gives an added jump start to the PRP to stimulate tissue repair and growth. The microneedling procedure is relatively painless with topical numbing and take about 15 minutes to complete. Injections paired with microneedling allows for more dramatic results.
Mild swelling and moderate redness will occur and will fade within 1-3 days. Occasionally, there may be some bruising, which should resolve within 5 days. Typically, the downtime with this procedure is very minimal.
What It Will Feel Like
Cold air helps to alleviate any discomfort during the procedure. On the face, patients receive topical numbing that has been applied for one hour prior to their procedure. Some describe the area as feeling dry or windburn immediately after the treatment. This feeling typically subsides in 24 hours.
The best way to determine your candidacy for treatments is to schedule a consult.
However, you are likely a candidate if you are experiencing:
Crepey SkinFine LinesSagging SkinStretch MarksWrinkles
