The Ultimate Guide to Platelet Rich Plasma Facial
What is Platelet Rich Plasma Facial?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a concentrate of protein derived from the whole blood after being extracted and processed via spinning in a centrifuge to separate plasma from the red blood cells. PRP has been used in the medical field for healing injured joints, torn tendons, tendinitis, muscle injuries, and arthritis-related pain. However, in recent years, PRP has been increasingly utilized for cosmetic purposes. A combination microneedling and PRP is usually done by specialists to fight numerous skin issues. This procedure is also known as “Vampire facial.”
PRP is utilized in cosmetics because it has a significant concentration of growth factors which can help in boosting growth of skin tissue and aid in tissue repair. Thus, it can reduce the duration of redness and swelling after procedures such as microneedling and it can also fight off difficult skin issues such as acne scars.
How Does a Platelet Rich Plasma Facial Work?
A Platelet Rich Plasma Facial, together with microneedling, is also known as Vampire Facial. It is a procedure conducted only by licensed and trained medical professionals. This procedure involves extracting the patient’s own blood and centrifuging it so that plasma and whole blood cells can be separated. The procedure is composed of Microneedling and Injecting the PRP back to the skin of the patient or applying it over the areas which have undergone microneedling so that direct passages to the deepest layers to the skin are permitted.
Microneedling can boost the production of collagen and breaks up acne scarring. It also aids in the regeneration of the epidermis promoting shedding and growth of new and healthier keratinocytes in the skin.
The PRP is composed of growth factors that can stimulate the production of collage and significantly improve the health of the epidermis. With this, PRP can help in issues such as acne, acne scarring, melasma, wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation. One of the good things about PRP is that it has little down time and virtually no pain.
What are the benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma Facial?
1. Rejuvenates the Skin
The PRP facial, as stated above, stimulates not only collagen but also elastin which thickens and tightens skin. With this, wrinkles and fine lines are corrected. It also improves overall skin texture and tone because of the stimulation of elastin production. Hence, people dealing with acne and acne scarring will greatly benefit from PRP facials.
2. Treats hard to reach and delicate areas of the face
Some skin care procedures have apprehension in treating delicate areas such as the area under the eyes. However, such areas are prone to ageing. Most patients see the first signs of premature aging in areas under the eyes. With PRP, it can effectively treat without pain and discomfort in these areas while making sure that the full benefit of a young looking skin is not compromised.
3. Natural and Safe type of injectable
Because it uses your own blood products and plasma without the addition of artificial products, you can make sure that no harsh reaction will be observed. It is made through extracting your own blood and centrifuging it for a few minutes to separate red blood cells and plasma. Hence, the product being used on your face is safe because it is your natural body’s growth hormones to stimulate collagen and elastin production.
4. Long lasting Results
Patients report results show between 3 to 4 weeks after initial treatment. They observe reduced appearance of wrinkles and fine lines with a smoother and tighter skin. Results typically last for 12 to 18 months after an initial series of three treatments. But if you want more long lasting results, you can do more treatments based on your clinician’s recommendation.
Who are the Ideal Candidates?
People dealing with wrinkles, fine lines, and other skin issues related to ageing are ideal candidates for this treatment. People who are starting to observe that their skin is losing its elasticity can go for consultation regarding the PRP treatment.
Who is not recommended for PRP Facial?
People with blood disorders, anemia, or those who need blood thinners should refrain from getting the PRP treatment. People with severe skin conditions such as eczema and other immune-related skin disease will not benefit most likely with this treatment and hence discouraged from undergoing the treatment.
How is PRP treatment done?
First, the skin area that will undergo treatment will be prepared and cleaned thoroughly. After that, the licensed medical professional will draw blood from the vein in your arm. This blood is then put into a centrifuge tube which will then undergo centrifugation for 10-15 minutes. This process separates the red blood cells and the platelet-rich plasma which settles at the top because it is lighter, hence, it is easier to separate manually. After that, you are prepared for microneedling. Once the treatment area has undergone microneedling, PRP is applied. Through microneedling, the PRP directly passes through the deeper layers of the skin. The whole treatment lasts for 30 to 1 hour, depending on the treatment area and skin issues being resolved.
What is the Post Treatment Care?
PRP facial has minimal downtime of 1 to 3 days. It is vital that after the treatment, you make sure that the skin is hydrated through putting moisturizer. It is also important to protect the skin from sun damage hence you must always put sunscreen on.
What are the PRP treatment results?
After a week of PRP facial, you should be starting to see some results. There is reduced appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and skin feels significantly younger. After 1 to 2 months, a rejuvenated skin that feels tighter, smoother, softer, and more supple can be observed. These results can last for approximately 1 to 2 years after 3 to 4 sessions of PRP facial.
What are the possible side effects?
The side effects of the treatment is minimal which includes redness and soreness similar to a sunburn. This is immediately observed following the treatment. Some patients can observe bruising due to the microneedling. However, they are all expected to disappear on the day after treatment. Some patients will have slight swelling and a rough skin texture up until 3rd day post treatment. They usually resolve 1 week post treatment.
Where can you find a PRP facial provider?
You can ask your local dermatologist’s directory for local providers for the treatment. It is good to note that usually you will undergo consultation first before proceeding to the Platelet-Rich Plasma facial process itself.
References:
1. Artisan Clinics. 2019. 5 Benefits of PRP. Retrieved from: https://artisanclinics.com/blog/5-benefits-of-prp/. Retrieved on 13 May 2020.
2. Cleveland Clinic. 2018. Can a “Blood Facial” Make You Look Younger?. Retreived from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-a-blood-facial-make-you-look-younger/. Retrieved on 13 May 2020.
3. Glow Aesthetic Center. 2019. Platelet-Rich Theraphy: “Vampire Facial.” Retreived from: https://glowmedspaencino.com/vampire-facial-prp/. Retrieved on 13 May 2020
4. Karmer, O. 2019. Healthline. What to Expect from Microneedling with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/microneedling-with-prp. Retrieved on 13 May 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plasma is the liquid portion of whole blood. It is composed largely of water and proteins, and it provides a medium for red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to circulate through the body. Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are blood cells that cause blood clots and other necessary growth healing functions.
Platelet activation plays a key role in the body’s natural healing process.
latelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses injections of a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. In this way, PRP injections use each individual patient’s own healing system to improve musculoskeletal problems.
PRP injections are prepared by taking anywhere from one to a few tubes of your own blood and running it through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. These activated platelets are then injected directly into your injured or diseased body tissue. This releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells your body produces.
