The Benefits of Adding PRP to Cosmetic Procedures
When you glance in the mirror every day, are you finding an increasing number of age spots and sun spots settling in with fine lines and wrinkles? Maybe you’ve noticed your pores have grown larger, your skin tone has become uneven, and/or acne scars are more noticeable. Then, of course, there’s the thinning hair and the inevitable reduced elasticity of the skin. What’s a person to do? It’s time to consult with a plastic surgeon about a PRP facial with microneedling, PRP injections and/or PRP hair restoration. So What Exactly Is PRP? PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. To get a grasp of how PRP works, it’s important to understand how platelets contribute to healing. The blood is comprised of red blood cells and plasma that contains white blood cells and platelets. When you get a cut or other wound, platelets rush to the injured site to stop bleeding and promote healing through collagen growth. They’re the first responders, as it were. When researchers made this discovery, they theorized that extracting concentrated platelets and injecting them into damaged areas of the body might accelerate healing. And it worked! As a result, orthopedic doctors working with athletes have successfully used PRP to treat injuries to the tendons, muscles, and ligaments for quite some time now. So it only makes sense that the world of plastic surgery is incorporating PRP to accelerate healing in several cosmetic procedures including facials and hair restoration. Sometimes PRP is used simply as a filler or implanted into the skin with Halo Laser treatment. Often though, it’s used with microneedling. How Does PRP Work with Microneedling? Let’s start by addressing what microneedling is. With this procedure, fine needles are stamped over the skin to create several invisible, tiny puncture wounds on the top skin layer. This is typically done on the face, but can be done on other parts of the body as well. When the skin is pierced, the immune system is triggered for disinfection of the wounds, removal of debris, and enhancement of blood flow. It immediately begins to create new tissue. From there, the new granulation skin cells rebuild the wounds to form a fresh network of blood cells. Wounds are soon replaced by newly created blood vessels and tissue. The turnover of skin cells produces an increase in elastin and collagen production. This, in turn, both prevents and reverses the signs of aging skin. Adding PRP to Microneedling
The addition of PRP appears to make microneedling more effective, since both treatments stimulate collagen growth.
The patient is required to give a blood sample before the procedure. The sample is then placed in a spinning centrifuge that separates the PRP from the rest of the blood.
After that, the PRP collected from the patient’s blood is needled into the dermis with the microneedling device; essentially attacking the problem in two layers – beneath the skin and on top of it.
The cytokines, proteins, and growth factors in the PRP help the skin to repair itself more quickly.
What about PRP for Hair Restoration?
This is still a relatively new procedure, but the results have been positive.
There’s no microneedling involved, but the actual process is meticulous. A board-certified plastic surgeon or RN makes PRP injections across the scalp – approximately every half inch over the area where the hair is thinning.
Even so, the entire procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes.
Downtime is minimal and a warm shower afterward can help to enhance blood flow and circulation throughout the scalp.
Candidates who’ve found the most success at this point are those with early hair loss – and particularly patients with androgenic alopecia. This is when hair thins along the top of the head. In women, it usually appears as a widening part, while hair maintains its normal thickness at the back of the head.
Could PRP Be Magical for You?
If you’re troubled by looking older or have thinning hair, then PRP with microneedling or for hair restoration could be just the secret formula you’ve been seeking.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us. You’ll consult with a plastic surgeon who will guide you through the best PRP procedure for you. 
