Have you ever noticed in detail the way a minor cut heals? It’s quite remarkable, really. As long as you keep the area clean and temporarily bandaged, within a few days, new skin begins growing over the wound and before you know it, the cut is a distant memory. The body is designed to naturally heal itself. The same concept applies to Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments.
Used for many years in sports medicine to treat conditions such as “tennis elbow”, Achilles tendinopathy, rotator cuff and shoulder injuries, PRP is now being used to treat a number of age-related medical aesthetics concerns including dark circles under the eyes, fine lines, sagging, decreased firmness and uneven skin tone.
To obtain PRP, the client provides a small of blood that is then placed in a sterile tube and spun centrifugally so that platelets and plasma are separated from white and red blood cells. What remains is plasma that is higher than normal in platelets, hence the name, platelet-rich plasma.
When applied topically or injected into the skin, PRP grows new collagen. Some studies have also shown that it can be used to soften the appearance of sun damage, wrinkles and sagging, giving it a more youthful appearance.
Topical PRP Treatments with Microneedling
The body’s natural healing process can also be used to improve the tone and texture of skin. Microneedling is a minimally invasive pen-shaped device studded with several very fine needles that are passed over the treatment area(s).
The needles break down old tissue, causing deliberate, minor injury to the skin’s surface, thereby stimulating a healing response. Microneedling improves skin’s firmness while reducing the appearance of fine lines and acne scars, all with minimal downtime. Over time, new collagen is produced and the result is younger, healthier, more beautiful looking skin.
The tiny channels microneedling creates in the skin also allow topically applied nutrients to be absorbed at a much higher level. In fact, within the hour after treatment, they can be absorbed at a 3,000 percent higher rate. When combined with PRP, the results are astounding.
Considered a non-ablative treatment, microneedling treats deeper levels of the skin without removing the top layer. Side effects experienced with microneedling typically subside in 24-48 hours and include minor swelling, stinging, itching, and tightness of the skin.
A few days after treatment, skin is noticeably smoother and more radiant, and fully appreciable results typically occur a few months later. Side effects of PRP therapy are minimal, as the client’s own blood is being used but proper precautions should always be taken when drawing blood, and only performed by a licensed medical professional.
PRP Facial Injections
PRP can also be injected into the face by a medical professional, either as a solo or a complementary treatment. The actual PRP injections typically take less than 30 minutes—and are relatively painless.
There may be some mild swelling, redness and bruising which typically dissipate in 1-3 days. Again, there is virtually no risk of side effects since PRP is made from the client’s own cells.
Results typically begin to show 3-4 weeks after treatment and continue to improve over time. For best results, three treatments are generally recommended, spaced about 1-2 months apart. Clients typically report smoother skin texture and improved tone, decreased wrinkles and fine lines and an overall firmer appearance.
PRP works very well other cosmetic injectables such Botox, Juvederm, Volume and Restylane. It can also be used in combination with several laser treatments, chemical peels and microdermabrasion.
PRP and Female Rejuvenation
One of the most exciting advances in PRP treatments is in the area of female rejuvenation. PRP is injected into an area of high sensitivity in the feminine area. Those platelets then stimulate growth of new cells in the injected areas, making them more sensitive to touch.
Reported results include improved orgasm, libido and arousal. PRP injections can also be used in conjunction with radio-frequency (RF) to tone and tighten feminine tissues. The special handpiece may also be used internally to revive atrophic tissue and other structures.
These new and already in-demand procedures are exciting breakthroughs for women who have suffered from incontinence, dry intercourse, diminished pleasure and loss of sexual confidence as the result of vaginal childbirth and/or the aging process.
Both the PRP injections and RF treatments deliver noticeable improvements after one or two treatments with long-lasting results and no downtime. One to three treatments, spaced one month apart, are typically recommended and there is no need for anesthesia. In most cases, sexual activity may be resumed the same day.
Summary
The future for PRP in medical aesthetics is only just beginning. Stay tuned to see how this amazing natural healing treatment will be used to help many people look and feel their best.
The following guest post was written by Kristin Cicciarelli of the National Laser Institute. National Laser Institute is a pioneer in the field of medical aesthetics education and has been in business for over a decade. NLI trains doctors and nurses from across the nation and around the world in PRP, Botox injections, dermal filler injections and cosmetic lasers. For more information about National Laser Institute, click here.
