Injectables
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)
Skin rejuvenation sits high on most people’s cosmetic treatment wish lists. But, unfortunately, with all the damage our skin incurs—think years of sun and pollution damage—the natural levels of collagen and elastin begin to break down. As this happens, the skin can look aged and dull. But jumpstarting the collagen-stimulating procedure can make a difference in the skin’s tone, texture, and health. The non-surgical options available to do it keep on getting better.
Non-invasive skin- and hair-improving treatments continue to grow with no signs of slowing down.
Patients love platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments for their often downtime-free convenience, scar-free results, and dramatic improvement. But, whether you book a PRP treatment to improve your skin or regrow thinning hair, its results are anything less than average. It’s only been recently (in the last few years) that PRP is being used for cosmetic applications—it has a long history of assisting in healing–especially since it doubles as an excellent, natural alternative to injectables and fillers.
What is PRP?
PRP has a long-standing history of use in orthopedic medicine, dentistry, and reconstructive surgery to aid in healing, making it quicker and better. PRP has made its way into the beauty realm for its ability to improve the skin
Within the blood are a small number of growth factors, platelets, and other healing factors that, when extracted and placed back into the skin, help rejuvenate and heal it. Platelets are tiny cells necessary for proper clotting when a wound ensues. When PRP is injected into an area, it causes a mild inflammatory response that triggers the start of the healing process. The platelets organize themselves inside the wound and release enzymes that aid in healing to repair the damaged area. As a result, new collagen begins to be made, which causes a tightening effect of the skin in the damaged area. The damaged tissue begins to remodel so that it emerges healthier and younger.
PRP is a safe and natural treatment that uses your blood to improve hair growth and revive the vitality and health of the skin. Although blood is extracted, for it to be effective, it must follow a multi-step procedure to make it into an injection.
The skin also contains fibroblasts that tell the collagen- and elastin-creating cells to start production. Both collagen and elastin are integral for healthy skin, yet the aging process slows down their natural production. Therefore, fibroblasts are critical components in healthy aging. With PRP, the fibroblasts are signaled to turn on and get to work. It also helps stimulate cell turnover, which improves the skin’s smoothness.
PRP is so popular as a skin-improving treatment because it enhances the skin’s texture. Feeding the skin with nutrient-dense platelets and growth factors signals the skin to start making collagen. For this reason, PRP is known to be effective in treating scars (including acne scars), reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, and increasing volume in the skin. It also restores the skin’s healthy glow, so it no longer appears lackluster.
Beyond the skin on your face, PRP is also an excellent option for improving the hair, whether you suffer from thinning hair or hair loss. Although the mode of application for the scalp is somewhat different than that of the face, PRP works the same way to increase hair growth.
How does PRP work?
For PRP to be effective, it has to be activated through some controlled injury. That’s why it’s often used with treatments like microneedling or injected into the skin or scalp. The growth factors within the PRP are like gold to quickly and effectively regenerate the skin.
PRP uses your blood, specifically the rejuvenating platelets and growth factors. During a PRP procedure, about 20 to 55 ccs of blood are drawn from the arm and put into a centrifuge which separates the blood into three levels: one layer contains plasma, another blood cells, and the last one has red blood cells. The platelet layer is removed from the centrifuge, and calcium is added to it, releasing the growth factors and platelets. Then, the platelet-rich serum is made into an injection (as with hair treatments) or applied directly to the skin.
When PRP is used for hair growth, the injections must be made on the scalp in a specific pattern and at an exact angle to deliver the serum effectively to stimulate hair growth and improve collagen in the scalp. In the case of skin rejuvenation, PRP is often the second step, following either microneedling or a resurfacing laser.
There must be small entryways to the skin, and the initial treatment does that so that the PRP mixture can be applied and then spread across the skin to work its magic. Together, this one-two punch stimulates collagen at the deeper layers of the skin to improve the appearance of the skin so there are fewer lines and wrinkles.
However, when PRP is used for hair growth, it is often recommended that a hair growth supplement or medication be part of the plan. This will help further drive the results of the PRP treatment and provide the scalp and hair with other necessary nutrients.
What are the benefits of PRP?
PRP provides various benefits, especially in improving the skin’s tone and texture. The PRP matrix increases skin cell growth and turnover, which can rejuvenate the skin in areas including:
- Around the eyes
- Cheeks
- Chin and jaw
- Hands
- Neck
- Décolletage
- The scalp
Rejuvenating the skin with PRP also improves fine lines and wrinkles and creates tighter, firmer skin with smaller pores. As a result, most patients notice healthy, glowing skin and a slight boost in volume.
When placed evenly into the scalp, PRP injections can stimulate natural hair growth to treat certain types of baldness and hair loss or thinning. PRP injections are incredibly beneficial for both men and women suffering from thinning hair. However, for the injections to be effective, they must be administered in an exact pattern that covers half-inch sections of the scalp in the specific areas where hair loss and thinning are evident.
Unlike fillers and injectables, PRP is more natural, with no synthetic agents or ingredients, since it uses your blood. That means there’s no risk of rejection from the body. The procedure also stimulates collagen production to restore volume in areas where it lacks instead of filling in lines, wrinkles, and folds with hyaluronic acid or causing a temporary pause in muscle contraction and movement. It can also add volume, again without a synthetic filler, to create more fullness in areas like the cheeks and under the eyes while simultaneously improving the tone and luminosity of the skin.
PRP is a non-invasive treatment that offers no downtime and natural-looking results. Unlike other treatments, it does not require any anesthesia either. You will see the results a few weeks after the first treatment. The results, which last about 18 months, will improve with time and continued sessions.
Who is PRP for?
PRP works well for a variety of patients and concerns. For example, it can improve skin in anyone suffering from sun damage, wrinkled skin, an uneven complexion, or dull-looking skin. PRP is also often recommended as part of a holistic anti-aging and skin health plan.
The treatment is also clinically proven to increase hair growth, making it an effective solution for both men and women experiencing the first signs of hair loss. PRP works best in early hair cases for those considering the treatment for hair loss. It can also work for those suffering from androgenic alopecia, a type of hair thinning on the top of the head that looks like a broader part in women.
Some patients are not prime candidates for PRP. Those include:
- Pregnant women and women breastfeeding
- Patients on anticoagulation treatment
- People with autoimmune conditions
- Patients diagnosed with cancer
- People with facial implants in the treatment area.
- Anyone with a medical condition like hepatitis C, HIV or AIDS, blood or skin cancer, and cardiovascular disease
What does PRP feel like?
While PRP may sound like a cumbersome and agonizing treatment, it’s far from that. PRP is relatively painless and well tolerated.
How much does a PRP treatment cost?
The cost of PRP varies from person to person since most patients choose to combine it with other procedures. We recommend a consultation for a detailed estimate to determine your treatment’s cost.
Common FAQs
Following a PRP treatment, there are some things you’ll want to follow strictly. While it’s common to experience mild redness and swelling if PRP is injected, the sites may be tender to the touch. You’ll also want to use bland and gentle skincare products until you’re given the green light to resume your routine. Combining PRP with microneedling creates micro-wounds in the skin, so it’s vital to nourish the skin accordingly. Simple moisturizers are recommended to hydrate the skin.
Following a PRP treatment, there are some things you’ll want to follow strictly. While it’s common to experience mild redness and swelling if PRP is injected, the sites may be tender to the touch. You’ll also want to use bland and gentle skincare products until you’re given the green light to resume your routine. Combining PRP with microneedling creates micro-wounds in the skin, so it’s vital to nourish the skin accordingly. Simple moisturizers are recommended to hydrate the skin.
A PRP treatment takes, on average, about 45 to 60 minutes to perform. When PRP is used with other skin-rejuvenating procedures, it will take longer, so make sure your schedule allows for that.
In general, PRP is a safe and well-studied treatment. Some possible side effects, although rare, include pain or itching at the injection site, minor bruising and swelling, and a red or pink flush to the skin. However, PRP is generally well tolerated when used alone or with other treatments.
Around the three or four-week mark, you will start noticing the treatment results. They will continue to improve over the next few months.
Consistency is critical, and regular monthly sessions are usually recommended. From there, you may need maintenance treatments every few months. Most patients see maximum benefits after three or more treatments. Each treatment involves the entire extraction process to be repeated.
Get started with AdvancedMD Aesthetics of Atlanta
If you’re ready to improve the appearance of your skin or get back the hair you’ve lost, there’s no better time than now to book a consultation with Advanced MD Aesthetics of Atlanta. A one-on-one consultation with our experienced, professional aestheticians and team of skin experts will determine the best PRP treatment for you. We can also customize a package specific to your needs so you can obtain the best results possible.
Click the button below to schedule a consultation or book your PRP appointment today!
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