PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP)
"Vampire face Lift"
Platelet Rich Plasma is a natural treatment to improve the condition of your skin. PRP uses your own tissue growth factors and healing properties to revitalise the skin by improving fibroblasts activity, blood supply and stimulating collagen formation. PRP treatment is a very natural way to treat lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin by using your body's own serum. As the procedure is performed using the patient's own blood, this procedure is often known as "Vampire face lift".
What is PRP?
Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood, which consists of cells , growth factors ( Important biomulecules essential for tissue repair and regeneration), citokines (messenger molecules that allow cells to communicate and alter other cellular functions) chemokines ( messengers which mobilize and activate cells for healing and tissue regeneration), etc.
Platelets contain cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. The use of PRP has shown promising results in the treatment of wounds for many medical, dental and surgical procedures, including hair restoration or any situation when it is important to regenerate the tissue.
What about the procedure?
This procedure takes around 30 min. The procedure involves taking blood from the patient exactly the same way that blood is taken for a standard blood test (approximately 60 mls). The blood is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the cells, plasma and platelets. Then the plasma is injected into the skin. Inmediately after the procedure the area may be slightly swollen, you may feel a "tingling" sensation after the procedure , maybe redness and some patients can experience mild bruising, but this symptoms will subside over the following 24 hours.
How does PRP work on tissue?
PRP contains high levels of growth and regeneration factors which are vital to rejuvenate and repair the skin and its principal action in the skin is to increase collagen production.
What changes will I notice?
PRP improves blood supply and growth factors to tissue, which are important in anti ageing therapies. Your skin texture will improve as new tissue cells grow and visible results may take 3-6 weeks. The results continue to improve over time and last approximately 1 year. Best results are obtained after 1 to 3 consecutive treatments. The skin will be smoother, firmer and revitalised. The results also depend of the patient's health, age, diet, smoking, as well as other health factors including your unique skin type.
How many treatments are necessary?
The number of treatments depends on the quality of the skin and age of the patient but usually 2 -3 treatments are recommended with a 2 week gap between each treatment.
Are there any contra-indications to the use of PRP?
It is very important to inform the specialist if you are taking medication, including blood thinning medication (anti coagulant), steroid based medicine or if you are undertaking any long term therapies (specially in cancer treatments).