Cosmetic PRP
While many patients turn to synthetic fillers and Botox, we think it is important to
offer an alternative for those who would prefer to combat aging naturally. In recent years,
doctors have found that by utilizing the growth factors found in blood,
it is possible to activate cell growth and repair to acheive younger-looking skin.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a treatment that involves drawing a patient’s blood,
processing it so that only the enriched cells (platelet-rich plasma) remain, and infusing it into the facial tissue through microneedling or injections.
What Are Platelets & What Is PRP?
Platelets are a blood component whose main function is to stop bleeding. We all have platelets. It turns out that platelets also have granules that, when activated, release growth factors. The growth factors not only attract more platelets to the area but also stimulate new collagen production and trigger a cascade of processes that are beneficial to healing. The result is a healthy appearance with an improvement in wrinkles, fine lines, texture, and tone. PRP is a simple method of harnessing your body’s growth factors to invoke targeted healing and repair of damaged tissue.
Research
Key Points
PRP injections can increase youthful skin thickness and elasticity
PRP injections can reduce yellowish skin appearance
PRP injections can lessen appearance of wrinkles
PRP injections can lessen appearance of scars, such as acne scarring and stretch marks while preserving a natural appearance
Research continues to suggest PRP can help correct damaged skin and wrinkles. A September 2017 study in the Aesthetic surgery journal found that after an injection of PRP, doctors observed an increase of reticular dermis thickness (the lower of the two layers of the skin). This thickening of the skin was due to deposition of elastic fibers and collagen, regenerating the skin. A June 2017 study found that PRP induced a reduction in the manifestations of skin aging, including an improvement in wrinkles and elastosis (yellowish skin).
In this research, doctors found that PRP provides growth factors that stimulate fibroblast activation (cells that start collagen production) and induce the synthesis of collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix. (The extracellular matrix is scaffold that collagen builds itself on.) The study focused on 18 women average age 49 years old. The study’s findings include that PRP increased the number of fibroblasts, increased number of blood vessels in the skin, increased collagen density in the skin and produced significant improvements in wrinkle and elastosis and photoaging scoring scales.
Published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Egyptian physicians say that your own blood platelets can make your face look younger by attacking your wrinkles. In this study, 20 patients with different types of facial wrinkles were tested. All subjects received a single PRP intradermal injection and were clinically assessed before and after treatment for a period of 8 weeks using various testing scores. Their results stated that side effects of PRP treatment were minimal to mild and with excellent tolerability, and their conclusion was that: “Single PRP intradermal injection is well tolerated and capable of rejuvenating the face and producing a significant correction of wrinkles.”
At Cairo University, also publishing in Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, doctors found that PRP injections yielded significant improvement regarding the appearance of plumpness from hydration and overall vitality. Patients also showed positive results for epidermal and dermal thickness. In Italy, doctors found Platelet Rich Plasma to be an emerging treatment in dermatology for skin rejuvenation. In their study, twelve patients underwent 3 sessions of PRP injection at 1-month intervals. Clinical and patient evaluation showed improvement of skin texture. Skin gross elasticity, skin smoothness parameters, skin barrier function, and capacitance were all significantly improved.
In Conclusion:
PRP is proven to stimulate new cell growth, helping to improve your complexion, skin texture, and restore facial volume. Due to the natural variation in quality of PRP, results will vary between individuals. Most patients require multiple sessions to obtain desired outcomes. We recommend 1 treatment per month for 3 treatments for best results, although these treatments can be spread out over a longer time period, if necessary. It takes 6 weeks for new collagen synthesis and about 6 months for the full effect of the treatment. Patients commonly report more confidence and less need for makeup following a series of treatments. It is best to work with an integrative physician who can also address diet choices, hormones, stress levels, and supplementation for a holistic skincare approach. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 616-301-0808.
Sources:
1. Charles-de-SáL, Gontijo-de-Amorim NF, Takiya CM, Borojevic R, Benati D, Bernardi P, Sbarbati A, Rigotti G. Effect of Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Skin with Intrinsic Aging Process. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2017 Sep 7.
2. Elnehrawy NY, Ibrahim ZA, Eltoukhy AM, Nagy HM. Assessment of the efficacy and safety of single platelet-rich plasma injection on different types and grades of facial wrinkles. J CosmetDermatol. 2017 Mar;16(1):103-111. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12258. Epub 2016 Jul 29.
3. Gawdat HI, Tawdy AM, Hegazy RA, Zakaria MM, Allam RS. Autologous platelet-rich plasma versus readymade growth factors in skin rejuvenation: A split face study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017 Apr 5.
4. Cameli N, Mariano M, Cordone I, Abril E, Masi S, Foddai ML. Autologous Pure Platelet-Rich Plasma Dermal Injections for Facial Skin Rejuvenation: Clinical, Instrumental, and Flow Cytometry Assessment. Dermatol Surg. 2017 Apr 3
