Platelet Rich Plasma Cosmetic Therapy

Platelet rich plasma is a relatively new approach to skin rejuvenation, although PRP was first used in 1987 in open heart surgery. Since then it has changed in its preparation and has been used in facio-maxillary surgery, orthopaedic surgery, sports medicine, dentistry and now also in cosmetic medicine.

PRP is an autologous procedure, meaning it is made from your own blood. So there is no risk of disease transmission or allergic reactions. Once a small amount of blood is taken from your arm and centrifuged the PRP is separated from your red blood cells. This plasma portion is full of platelets, growth factors and even some stem cells. When this fluid is injected into your skin it accelerates the healing process.

The PRP contains important growth factors such as:

• PDGF (Platelet Derived Growth Factor) – Which stimulates new cell growth and collagen production
• VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) – Which promotes growth and regeneration of vascular endothelial cells
• FGF (Fibroblast Growth Gactor) – Stimulating Fibroblasts causing tissue repair, collagen and hyaluronic acid production
• EGF (Epithelial Growth Factor)
• TGF-B (Transforming growth factor) – Causing neogenesis of epithelial and vascular cells promoting wound healing

The PRP stimulates your own skin and stem cells to produce more collagen, elastin and connective tissue resulting in improved thickness and skin tone of your skin. It can help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

PRP uses your body’s own healing messengers to stimulate skin rejuvenation, causing a more toned, tighter and more youthful looking appearance.

Main areas treated with PRP are:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• General skin rejuvenation and tightening
• Eyes (Peri Orbital fine lines and crepy skin)
• Neck Rejuvenation
• Scarring
• Back of hands
• Hair rejuvenation

EXPECTATIONS AND AFTERCARE

Initially you will see swelling from the treatment itself, this will gradually subside. For the first 2 weeks there is minimal change. Results become more visible around the 3 week period as platelets release growth factors stimulating collagen and skin production, this improvement will continue over the ensuing months particularly in skin texture and tone providing a thickening and tightening effect. Minimal improvement occurs in persons with heavy alcohol, tobacco or drug usage as these patients harvest poor platelets.

DURATION OF PRP

After 3 treatments 4 weeks apart, a repeat treatment should be done within 18 months. You may choose to do one treatment per year for maintenance.This is because once tissue is regenerated and remodeled with this effect being long lasting, we unfortunately continue to age, and with time the problem areas begin to reappear.

SIDE EFFECTS

• Minimal swelling bruising and redness for 12-24hrs
• Possible bruise at puncture site, visible for a few days.This is minimised by my use of a cannula technique.
• No allergic reaction as PRP uses your own blood

OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

• PRP is may not be suitable patients who/have:
• Pregnant or Breast feeding
• Smokers – the tar from cigarettes in particular inhibits growth factor production
• Drug and heavy alcohol use
• Platelet or Clotting disorders (Platelet Dysfunction Syndrome, ITP)
• Hypofibrinogenaemia
• Acute or Chronic Infections
• Severe systemic disease eg malignancy, chronic liver pathology
• On anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy eg. aspirin, warfarin, dipyridamole, clopidogril
• Not suitable for advanced signs of aging, wrinkling and scarring therefore a patient with this profile may require a combination of treatments.