Platelet-rich plasma injections are becoming increasingly more popular, thanks to all the celebrities who have endorsed them. In 2013, Kim Kardashian was the first celebrity to praise PRP injections. Other celebrities then followed in her footsteps by also getting this treatment. PRP treatments are now a preferred choice when it comes to anti-aging solutions.
Use PRP for Skin Rejuvenation
There is no way to avoid aging. This natural process causes many changes to our bodies, especially to our appearance. We suddenly notice the texture of our skin getting wrinkly and the shape of our face altering because it has less collagen. Worst of all, our skin color even turns a bit greyish. You cannot completely stop the aging process, but you can slow it down to some extent. New skin rejuvenation treatments are constantly being created to make people look and feel younger.
One popular skin rejuvenation treatment that is trending is the PRP treatment. This particular treatment can make your entire body look younger. We will make PRP injections and topical into the skin to take away the appearance of dark circles, eye puffiness, wrinkles, scars, and fine lines. With these enhancements, your skin will look clean and smooth like it did when you were young.
PRP Treatment is also called PRP Injections, PRP Facial, Vampire Facelift, and Vampire Facial. The “Vampire” name comes from the fact that the procedure extracts blood from the patient.
How is PRP Treatment Different Than Dermal Filler Treatment?
During a PRP treatment, the practitioner will extract blood from your body and spin it in a centrifuge which separates the red blood cells from the platelet-rich plasma (or PRP). The PRP will then get injected into the areas of your skin that need enhancement. This is traditionally a cosmetic procedure, but sometimes reconstructive surgeons and dentists will use it as well.
Another popular anti-aging treatment method involves injecting dermal fillers into the skin. The results will either be permanent or temporary, depending on the material used. This is basically solid material that takes away the appearance of creases, fine lines, and wrinkles after it is injected into the skin. Fillers can also be used to make the lips more voluminous. The practitioner makes a direct injection into the area of the skin that needs enhancement. The results will be noticeable almost immediately after the injections are made, but they will only show in the areas of the skin that received the injections.
PRP treatments differ in that they will rejuvenate all the skin on the face. Not only that, the results are longer lasting than they are with dermal fillers. PRP treatments are deemed to be a safer choice because the procedure involves injecting your own blood back into your body. This means there is virtually no chance of infection.
PRP treatments do not have instant results like dermal fillers do. PRP treatments work gradually and the results will become more noticeable in the weeks and months after the procedure. This makes it a very discreet treatment that gives you a natural-looking transformation.
How do PRP treatments help?
The PRP treatment is quite interesting. We extracts a little bit of your blood, spins it in a centrifuge to separate the red blood cells from the platelet-rich plasma, and then injects the plasma in the area of your skin that is being enhanced. As you learn about this process and why it is effective, you will understand why PRP treatments are so popular.
When the blood is extracted, it gets put into a sterilized test tube which is sealed. The test tube is then placed into a centrifuge and left there for 10 minutes. The purpose of the centrifuge is to break the blood up into separate components. Basically, it separates the white blood cells and red blood cells from the plasma and platelets.
As a result, more platelets will exist in the plasma, hence the name “platelet-rich plasma.” The PRP will consist of unique proteins which can rejuvenate and repair skin tissue. When a person suffers a skin injury, such as a burn, they are often treated with PRP to repair the tissue. The doctor injects the PRP into the damaged skin area so that it can heal. The PRP transmits signals to different areas of the body which makes other cells gather at the injection site and heal the area. These cells stimulate all of the damaged cells nearby, causing the volume to increase.
PRP treatment activates the fibroblast cell, which is responsible for producing collagen. This is the protein that makes the skin look younger and more attractive. Unfortunately, we don’t produce as much collagen as we get older. This is why fine lines and wrinkles form on our skin. But with a PRP treatment, more collagen gets produced because of these cells. You will be left with a younger-looking face that will boost your attractiveness.
PRP Treatment Steps
The first thing you will do is have a consultation with the PRP treatment specialist. They will determine if you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure. You will need to give information about your medical history and specify what your goals are from receiving this treatment. The specialist will explain the PRP injection process and talk about whether your expectations are realistic or not.
If the specialist decides that you are suitable for the PRP Treatment, they will schedule an appointment for you to get the treatment. Once you arrive for the appointment, the specialist will take a small amount of blood from your arm and put it inside a test tube. The blood will be put into a centrifuge to be treated for 10 minutes. This is where the blood components get separated, causing the plasma to have more platelets.
We will wash the skin area to ensure all dirt and makeup are removed. They will even use an antiseptic to clean it. Finally, a topical anesthetic cream will be applied to this skin area. It will numb your skin for up to 60 minutes, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure.
We will then be ready to inject the PRP into this treatment area. They will use a fine needle to make the injection. Sometimes multiple injections will be required to treat the area properly. Most patients claim they feel no pain because of the anesthetics that are given to them. When facial injections are made, there may be some soreness near the lip area.
The PRP injection will take roughly 15 minutes. The most you will feel is minor discomfort. Some of your platelet-poor plasma will be kept and used later. After the injection, the practitioner will clean your face and then spread the PRP around the entire face. This will give you the best possible results. Keep the PRP layer on your skin until the next morning. You will still be able to leave the clinic and go home, but you must refrain from touching your face in any way for 24 hours. Don’t apply makeup or moisturizer to the face.
Your practitioner may put an ice pack on your face to reduce swelling after the process is finished. Refrain from sun exposure and exercise for at least 48 hours post-treatment. The entire treatment session should take no more than 90 minutes. It is recommended that you consume food and water before getting the injections. This makes it easier for the blood to be extracted.
How many times will I need to get PRP treatments?
There are many factors that determine how often you will need to get PRP treatments. The main factors include your age, skin type, skin goals, and how well your skin reacts to the PRP treatments. If you are over 40 years old, it is recommended that you get three treatments (one treatment every two months or so). If you are younger than 40 years of age, you may be able to reach your desired result with only one treatment. All results depend on the individual since everyone’s skin is different. The doctor will study how your skin responds to the first treatment and determine whether you need future treatments. After the first treatment, schedule a follow-up appointment to determine whether more injections are necessary for you.
If you get the complete PRP treatment, the results should remain for 18 to 24 months. Although this is not permanent, it is certainly longer lasting than any other option. It is recommended that you get the PRP treatment at least once per year to sustain the results.
The Advantages of PRP Treatment
There are a lot of advantages to getting a PRP treatment. People love this treatment because it is a completely natural and effective way to rejuvenate the skin on the entire body. Plus, the results last for a very long time.
There are various kinds of skin problems that PRP treatments can help people with. The main skin issues that can be treated include crows’ feet on the sides of the eyes, forehead creases and lines, glabellar lines in the middle of the eyebrows, aged hand skin, lip lines, smile lines (nasolabial folds), weak skin texture, open pores, turkey neck (necklace lines), sun-damaged skin, marionette lines, scars, dark circles under the eyes, upper eyelid wrinkles, hair loss, and rough or uneven skin texture.
PRP treatment applications are different than dermal filler applications. PRP provides better results for both the volume and quality of the skin. It can promote hair growth, shrink open pores, reduce necklines, and eliminate the dark circles and wrinkles around the eyes. There are so many new ways to use PRP treatments which are being discovered every day. New evidence even suggests that PRP treatment can reduce stretch marks too.
When you receive a facial injection of PRP, it stimulates the skin cells in the face to help the tissue look younger again. The plasma of the PRP is what reverses the effects of aging skin. It boosts collagen production in order to make this happen. You should notice your first results after about three to four weeks from the date you got the injection. The full results will be visible after about a year. Therefore, the results will gradually become more noticeable as the month’s pass. Sometimes the results stay noticeable for a couple of years. Remember, these are results that include tighter skin, reduced lines, enhanced texture, and a more youthful skin tone.
Platelet Rich Plasma Side Effects
PRP treatments are very safe and there is hardly any risk. The practitioner uses your own blood for the treatment. No chemicals or additives are combined with the blood. This makes the PRP injection 100 percent natural, which is why it is a very safe treatment. There is virtually no chance of an allergic reaction because of how natural it is. After the injection, there may be minor swelling, bruising, itchiness and/or redness in that area. Pain and tenderness may also be evident. Don’t worry about these symptoms because they will subside after a couple of days.
The worst-case scenario of a PRP treatment is that your face gets puffy and swollen, especially around the eyes. These symptoms should only last anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days. The eyes become affected the most because there are so many tiny blood vessels around them. If you get PRP treatments injected around the eyes, you can expect those symptoms to follow.
PRP Treatment Results
Once the PRP treatment is administered, your doctor will recommend that you apply an ice pack or cold press to the injected area in order to alleviate the pain and swelling in the treated area. They will tell you not to touch the swollen areas for at least one day and to avoid putting makeup or creams on the area for a minimum of six hours. Failure to follow these instructions may result in infection.
Most people can resume their regular daily activities right after the procedure is finished. The results will not be immediate, but you will notice them gradually appear over the coming months. Once 12 months have passed, the full results will be noticeable. They should stay noticeable for up to 2 years.
Please note: PRP treatments have a different effect on everybody. Some people benefit from them more than others. No one can predict what effect the treatment will have on a patient until they go through it.
The Price of the PRP Treatment
There are many factors that determine the price of the PRP treatment, such as the location of the clinic, the clinic itself, the injection areas, and the number of treatments required. The cheapest price for one cycle is $40, but you can expect this to turn into $100+ or $1000+ if you want something more complicated.
Try finding a dependable and professional PRP treatment clinic that has a great reputation and is close to your location. Inquire about the costs of their PRP treatments.