Treatments

When blood is placed into a centrifuge, it separates into three distinct layers: plasma on top, platelets and blood cells in the middle, and red blood cells at the bottom. PRP is derived from the center part, also known as the “serum portion”

The platelets, in particular, contain pockets called alpha granules, which secrete high levels of growth factors — more than 20, if you want to talk specifics. They’ve been shown to be effective for wound healing, as well as improving skin elasticity, volume, and texture.

When platelet-rich plasma is reintroduced to skin on its own through a non-invasive procedure, cell turnover is stimulated, and in turn, collagen and elastin production is ramped up for a plumper, tighter, and smoother complexion.

Now, you’re probably wondering how your blood goes from flowing through your veins to spread onto your face. Well, you’ll need to get your blood drawn first. Then, the vials of your blood are placed in a centrifuge to isolate the platelets from your red blood cells.

From there, your therapist could go a couple of different routes with PRP. Your platelets can be injected directly into your skin like fillers to stimulate collagen production and achieve rejuvenation.

Alternately, you can combine your PRP treatment with other ones, like microneedling (occasionally with radiofrequency), microdermabrasion, or a resurfacing laser, like Fraxe. These procedures prep your skin for your PRP to be spread all over it. These pairings further stimulate collagen production, reduces fine lines, and accelerates wound healing. In Korea, PRP treatments are also often done in conjunction with mesobotox, which involves shallow injections just below the skin’s surface of a neurotoxic protein, for the ultimate skin elasticity-boosting elixir.

Depending on how aggressive the microdermabrasion was, recovery might take a day or two of downtime before you’re ready to hit the streets. You’re sure to emerge from treatment a bit red, almost like a sunburn. Post-procedure sunscreen is even highly recommended. However, makeup is discouraged.

Those with premature wrinkles, high levels of sun damage, or anyone who desires a fresher, more even-toned complexion are ideal candidates for the vampire facial. However, if you have a history of blood diseases, including clotting or bleeding disorders, you should avoid PRP treatments.

In the risks and side effects department, you won’t find as many as you may imagine. In fact, the only risk you really run is bruising from getting your blood drawn, as well potential, minor bruising on your face from the injections or microneedling.

The use of PRP is a great treatment option for hair loss because it has a number of scientifically based articles showing its efficacy increasing hair count, hair thickness, and the growth phase of the hair cycle

As with most procedures, there is a careful process involved in using PRP for hair regrowth, beginning with a standard blood drawn from the patient’s arm. Next, the tube of blood is put into a machine called a centrifuge, which spins the blood tube to separate out the red blood cells from the plasma. The plasma, which is rich in platelets, is then injected using a Needle Free device directly into the scalp at the level of the hair follicles.

The process is meticulous — with injections beginning across the scalp, approximately at every half inch over the area of thinning hair — but typically, the entire procedure takes less than a half-hour.

Anyone experiencing hair loss is essentially a good candidate for PRP treatments, but those with early hair loss tend to respond best. PRP is best used for patients with androgenic alopecia, which is a genetically determined type of hair thinning that typically occurs along the top of the head. In women, this might look like a widening part with normal hair thickness at the back of the head.

For best results, consistency is key. Treatments are typically performed once a month for the first three to four months, and then every three to six months thereafter, depending on the individual patient’s response and results. Following this protocol, anticipated results can first be seen within two to three months.

The first result that patients usually note is decreased hair shedding, followed by early regrowth and increased length of hair. The general consensus is that receiving treatments every three to six months on a long-term basis are optimal for continuing to stimulate the growth factors and stem cells that are associated with regrowth and stopping hair fallout.

PRP can, and should, be a part of a multifaceted program to treat hair thinning and loss. Your therapist may prescribe you minoxidile or finasteride to help promote hair regrowth as well if you are post-menopausal.

What are the purposes of PRP injections?

Researchers are trying out PRP injections across a number of applications. Examples of these include:

• Tendon injuries. Tendons are tough, thick bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone. They are usually slow to heal after injury. Doctors have used PRP injections to treat chronic tendon problems, such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis at the ankle, and jumper’s knee, which causes pain in the patellar tendon in the knee.
• Acute injuries. Doctors have used PRP injections to treat acute sports injuries, such as pulled hamstring muscles or knee sprains.
• Postsurgical repair. Sometimes doctors use PRP injections after surgery to repair a torn tendon (such as a rotator cuff tendon in the shoulder) or ligaments (such as the anterior cruciate ligament).
• Osteoarthritis. PRP injections in the knee may help people with osteoarthritis. A study  found that PRP injections were more effective than hyaluronic acid injections (a traditional therapy) for treating osteoarthritis.

What are the potential side effects of PRP?

Because PRP involves injecting a substance into the skin, there are potential side effects.

PRP is autologous, which means it contains substances that come directly from your own body. This reduces the risks for an allergic reaction that can occur from injecting other medications, such as cortisone or hyaluronic acid. However, there are risks from the injection itself, including:

• infection
• nerve injuries
• pain at the injection site
• tissue damage

You should discuss these potential risks with your doctor, as well as the steps they will take to minimize these risks.

What is the recovery time for PRP injections?