What is Platelet Rich Plasma?
PRP (Platelet Rich Protein) is a natural product created from your own body. A small amount of blood is drawn from you and placed in a sterile tube that is spun down in a centrifuge to separate the different components of the blood. Red and white blood cells are divided from the platelets and the plasma (the clear fluid). This plasma now contains a higher than normal number of platelets and is called platelet-rich protein.
Benefits of PRP
Platelets are the cells in the blood that help tissue to heal and grow cells. The PRP Injected into specific areas of the skin, act as a matrix that promotes your own collagen to grow, regenerate tissue, and thus acts as to naturally smooth and tighten the skin. In this way, PRP softens wrinkles and creates smoother skin texture and tone. PRP is also used to promote healing after ablative laser treatments and J-Plasma resurfacing treatments.
What Should I Expect During My PRP Treatment?
Platelet-rich plasma is frequently used for aesthetic purposes. The treatment begins with a simple blood draw. Once the blood has been drawn, we place the vials into a machine that separates the platelets from other elements of the blood. After the platelets have been purified, they’re ready to use.
They can enhance your microneedling procedure by providing an abundance of growth factors to help your skin revitalize itself. After completing the microneedling process, your practitioner massages the platelets into your skin, where they use the “micro-channels” created by the microneedling device to access the deeper layers of skin. This can speed up and improve the healing process.
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Microneedling With PRP At Our Washington D.C. Office
PRP is a popular addition to microneedling. This approach uses your own blood platelets to enhance your results. Blood platelets serve many important purposes, including aiding in the healing process by helping blood to clot. They also contain growth factors which constantly replenish the tissues throughout your body.
Candidates For Microneedling With PRP
Microneedling with PRP may be an excellent treatment for adults who are interested in improving the appearance of the skin on their face or body. In addition to infusing aging skin with rejuvenating collagen, microneedling treatment is also commonly used to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars. The gentleness and adjustability of this treatment make microneedling with PRP suitable for individuals for whom laser treatments are not appropriate.
Is Microneedling With PRP Safe?
Microneedling with PRP is considered safe for all skin types. The micro-injuries that are induced by the tiny needles close very shortly after treatment, restoring the skin’s protection from outside influence. The PRP that is applied to the skin after the micro-injuries are created contains numerous growth factors and healing substances, further enhancing both the safety and efficacy of treatment.
PRP Hair Restoration In Washinton D.C.
PRP has shown promise in hair restoration. When used in this capacity, the purified platelets are injected directly into the scalp to encourage growth in areas of thinning hair or baldness. We’re proud to offer this emerging technique for hair restoration here in Washington, D.C. Patients who undergo a hair restoration procedure with PRP may return to their normal activities the same day, as no sedation is required.
Can Anyone Receive PRP Hair Restoration?
PRP treatment for hair restoration is generally safe for most men and women. Studies indicate that this technique is most effective at correcting androgenic alopecia, or pattern baldness.
Impressive results have been achieved with:
- Men with male pattern baldness
- Women experiencing hair thinning or loss related to menopause or hormone imbalance
- Individuals whose hair loss began within the 5 years prior to treatment.
PRP hair restoration is not suitable for women who are pregnant or nursing. It may not be appropriate for people with a history of bleeding disorders or who are taking blood thinners. Health conditions like thyroid disease and lupus may not respond to PRP treatment for hair loss. A thorough examination of the scalp is performed to confirm the absence of infection and skin cancer, each of which may be triggered into an active phase by PRP.
Risks Associated With PRP Hair Restoration
Microneedling with PRP uses sterile instruments and a substance that is obtained from the patient’s blood. This technique holds no risk of allergic or adverse reaction because the ingredients that stimulate tissue regeneration come from the body.
Though not serious risks, certain side effects are associated with microneedling or injections of PRP into the scalp. These include bruising, swelling, tenderness, and oozing from injection points. There is a minor risk of scarring where PRP is injected, though this is minor. Most side effects of PRP hair restoration resolve within 5 days without further treatment.
How Many Microneedling With PRP treatments Are Needed?
The number of treatments that are needed depends on the condition of the skin, the healing response that occurs after treatment, and the desired outcome. When addressing the earliest signs of aging or undergoing microneedling with PRP to postpone the onset of cosmetic aging, a person may benefit from one to two treatments a year. When the signs of aging, scarring, stretch marks, or other concerns are more significant, 3 to 6 treatment sessions scheduled a few weeks apart may be recommended. A detailed treatment plan is discussed during our initial consultation.
Schedule A Consultation
If you are interested in the PRP treatment for microneedling or hair restoration, call 202.750.5189 to schedule a consultation. West End Plastic Surgery serves patients in Washington D.C. and surrounding areas.