Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections have been used by doctors in recent years to help the body heal itself. PRP injections harness the body’s ability to heal and takes advantage of natural growth factors.
What is plasma and what are platelets?
Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. Plasma contains cells and proteins such as albumin, fibrinogen, growth factors and electrolytes. The growth factors play an essential role in the body’s healing process by stimulating the reparative process. Platelets are a component of the blood that react to blood vessel injury. Platelets secrete platelet derived growth factor, TGF beta and may others which help to promote healing.
PRP treatments use your own platelets to help accelerate healing and have been used in injured tendons, ligaments and joints. PRP triggers collagen production. In the aesthetic world it is used in the treatment of scars, minimizing pores, fine lines/wrinkles, volume loss, hair loss, and skin rejuvenation.
Steps in a PRP treatment:
- A medical professional will extract a blood specimen with a small needle
- The blood sample is placed in a centrifuge that separates the blood components
- The PRP is taken from the sample container and placed into a syringe
- The plasma is spread across the face both during and after a microneedling treatment and can also be used for select injections.
Potential side effects and complications include bruising, swelling and redness. If you experience any of these side effects they typically resolve within just a few days. PRP is from your own blood, so there’s little chance of cross-contamination or infection.
