PRP
Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
What is PRP?
PRP stands for ‘Platelet-Rich Plasma’. The plasma is the liquid component of our blood which holds the cellular components such as red and white blood cells, as well as platelets. Platelets are a highly important cellular fragment found in the blood, and the PRP is plasma which is RICH in platelets (therefore, has a higher concentration of platelets than normal). The PRP is an extract of your own blood that contains a high concentration of platelets, growth factors, and active proteins essential for tissue regeneration and healing. It has been used medically for years to accelerate surgical healing; repair tendon, ligament and joint damage; heal skin wounds; and help regrow muscle and bone.
PRP has been used extensively in hospitals for many years, over 2,000 hospitals nationwide take advantage of this technology. Oral surgeons, plastic surgeons, orthopedic physicians, cardiologists, and physicians in sports medicine have been utilizing Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapies for over (25) years. The process is simple and effective while also being affordable to the patient and physician offering these services.
PRP procedures allow for blood platelets from a patient to be concentrated in such a manner that by re-introduction to the body certain biological activities take place that allows for repair of damaged tissues. Autologous platelets when activated release concentrated growth factors in the form of glycoproteins. These cytokines and growth factors that are activated and released during degranulation include:
- IGF I & II: Insulin –like growth factor (somatomedin C protein) encoded in the IGF1 gene.
- Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β): cellular differentiation and proliferation, most tissues have high expression of the gene encoding TGF-β
- CTGF/CCN2 (Connective tissue growth factor): matricellular protein needed for angiogenesis, proliferation, and adhesion of cells.
- FGF (Fibroblast growth factor): needed for wound healing, proliferation, and differentiation for a variety of tissues and cells.
- EGF (Epidermal growth factor): mitogenic protein stimulating cell growth and differentiation while binding to resident cell receptors (EGFR; ErbB-1; HER-1).
- VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor): signal protein angiogenic inducer in vivo stimulating the growth of new vessels.
- IL 8 (Interleukan-8): proinflammatory CXC chemokine which activates intracellular signaling pathways inducing chemotaxis and promoting angiogenesis.
- KGF/FGF7 (Keratinocyte growth factor): natural protein and paracrine mediator of epithelial cell growth – hair/alopecia treatments.
- CD34+ Cells: stem cell marker needed to attract additional stem cells to the repair site.
- Cytokines/Adhesion Molecules: Strombal Derived Factor – Alpha (SDF-1α): modulates migration and recruitment of stem cells to the repair and regeneration site.
Why use PRP for Skin Rejuvenation?
When PRP is injected back into the skin layers it initiates a local stem cell response. In the weeks and months following treatment these stem cells help to form new collagen structure and blood vessels, repair and regenerate damaged skin, and help slow and reverse the signs of aging, creating healthy skin that looks refreshed and rejuvenated.
In what way is it a more natural approach to Skin Rejuvenation?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is the ultimate biological skin rejuvenation treatment. It uses the patient’s own cells to refresh the complexion and provide overall rejuvenation by repairing the elasticity, color and quality of the skin which minimizes wrinkles, scarring, and crepey skin. The PRP isn’t mixed with anything at all, and is simply injected into your skin’s problem areas after it has been spun in our PRP machine and harvested, making it as natural as possible!
Does PRP actually work?
Worldwide research has proven that PRP is effective for regeneration of tissues. Published clinical studies have demonstrated that PRP is beneficial for rejuvenation of facial ageing, including wrinkling in persons with modest grades of photo or chronological aging. There are over 5,000 published scientific research papers on the use of PRP to improve healing – across all treatment areas, eg: surgery, sports medicine, orthopedic, dental and aesthetic.
When can I see results?
Immediately after the procedure, the injected skin will feel tighter than usual, and lines / wrinkles will already be less visible. However this degree of tightening will not last, and the skin surface will return more to normal after 4 – 14 days. However the PRP will be working under the surface of the skin to make new cells and improve the subsurface layers of the skin. This is not an immediate process and the pronounced effects occur about 4-8 weeks after the procedure with most patients reporting that the improvements last 1-2 years.
How often should I have this done?
Published research results have shown that the best results are achieved by a series of 3 injections at 4 or 6 week intervals, and then yearly thereafter. Depending on the patient’s age, some patients choose to return every six months rather than yearly if they feel the need to.
How is the PRP extracted from my blood?
A PRP kit is used to increase to platelet concentration within plasma. It is a point of care device where a blood sample is taken – similar to a regular blood test. The blood in then introduced into the sterile Pro-PRP device for centrifugal. After the centrifugal process, the components of whole blood are separated into visible layers and a special section of the plasma that contains the platelets is carefully collected for re-injection in to the patient. The entire process from blood withdrawal to completion of injection procedures, is approximately 30 mins to 1 hour.
What benefits can PRP have?
PRP can be used for anti-ageing and aesthetic regenerative purposes, such as;
– Improving overall health, tone and elasticity of the skin- Reduce shallow wrinkles and lines
– Minimize the appearance of scars
– Minimize the visible signs of aged and sun damaged skin- Promote even skin tone and texture
– Reduce pigmentation (can also be used to target dark circles under the eyes)
Where can PRP be used?
PRP is a very safe procedure, and even though is it most commonly used on the face, neck and decolletage, it can be used anywhere in the body. This can include stretch marks, scars, or pigmentation anywhere on the body.
PRP FOR HAIR LOSS
This treatment isn’t just for anti-ageing and skin rejuvenation, but is also used to regrow hair!
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or ‘male-pattern baldness’ is a common form of hair loss affecting up to 50% of men by age 50 and nearly 50% of women (female-pattern hair loss) over the course of their lifetime.
The causes for hair loss are complex, and review by a GP or Dermatologist to exclude metabolic causes is the best first step. Once nutritional deficiencies and metabolic function have been checked, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has been proven by numerous high level research studies to reverse hair loss and improve hair number and overall skin and hair health.
The basic science behind PRP injections is that the patient’s own platelets deliver an abundance of growth factors to the skin on the scalp to stimulate hair regrowth. PRP therapy has shown remarkable beneficial effects with no major adverse reactions or harmful side effects, and is considered to be a very safe medical procedure.
Not all PRP hair rejuvenation protocols provide the same patient outcomes though.
