Blood contains both platelets and blood cells, with platelets playing an important role in the body’s healing processes. These platelets are known to help the blood clot and contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors which are beneficial for healing injuries. Platelet-rich plasma therapy, aka PRP, relies on the body’s natural healing resources by concentrating a person’s blood platelets for pinpointed treatment areas. The concentration of platelets in PRP therapy — and, thereby, the concentration of growth factors — can be 5 to 10 times greater (or richer) than usual distribution of platelets. This makes PRP treatments a popular choice for patients who are ready to quickly treat problem areas or injuries.
PRP Treatments
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments originated in orthopedic medicine and reconstructive surgery to improve recovery naturally. The cosmetic use of PRP helps damaged, aging skin to produce new collagen and elastin for a glowing, rejuvenated, and more youthful-looking complexion.
Treatment is relatively simple and can be completed in just one session. We collect the platelet-rich plasma by drawing a small amount of your blood, putting it into an FDA-cleared device, placing it in a centrifuge and spinning it until the platelets separate from the blood. The PRP solution is then injected into the areas of concern and begins the regeneration of the skin.
Benefits of PRP Facial Rejuvenation:
Increases collagen production
Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles
Firmer, tighter skin
Improves moisture retention
Enhances skin tone and texture
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling, also referred to as Collagen Induction Therapy, is an effective anti-aging treatment using tiny, short needles that puncture the skin superficially to rebuild collagen and elastin. The needles penetrate tiny holes into the skin to allow for ideal absorption of skincare (or PRP) and produce a tightening effect of the skin.
The Benefits of Microneedling
There are many benefits to microneedling, in fact in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery has vouched for “microneedling as a safe and effective therapeutic option for the treatment of scars and wrinkles.” Some other benefits of microneedling include:
Softening of stretch marks
Increasing skin firmness and tightness
Reduction of hyperpigmentation and pore size
Minimization of broken capillaries and spider veins
Improvement skin texture and appearance of scars
Microneedling recovery is fast and patients typically see best results in skin tone after the second or third treatment. Microneedling treatments may be repeated every four to six weeks with continued improvements in the following months.
The Benefits of Combining PRP Facial Rejuvenation and Microneedling
At Revival Clinic, we have seen enhanced benefits by adding microneedling to the Platelet-Rich Plasma facial rejuvenation. We believe this is one of the best anti-aging procedures harnessing your body’s natural healing power. This combined treatment results in even skin tone and smoother skin.
While the immediate results after treatment may not look ideal, your glowing skin will appear in the following weeks and last for months. The inflammation causes the correction of areas of concern and triggers cellular rejuvenation.
What is a PRP + Microneedling Treatment Like?
The Doctor will apply a topical numbing cream on treatment areas and ideally numbing for 30 or 40 minutes.
While the numbing is taking place, your blood is drawn. This should be quick and painless as we only collect 30 mL vial. Your blood is then placed into a centrifuge for 9 minutes to separate the PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma, gold in color) from the PPP (Platelet Poor Plasma, clear in color) and RBC (Red Blood Cells, red in color).
The PRP and PPP are the transferred into different syringes to later be injected or applied topically to the skin.
The PRP will be injected into areas of concern.
The PPP is brushed on to the skin to serve as a lubricant for microneedling. A typical microneedling procedure would use a hyaluronic acid serum (or other serum) to lubricate the skin. The benefits of the PRP procedure is the ability to use your body’s own cells to stimulate new tissue and healthy skin without any risks of allergic reaction.
Immediately after treatment, you may look as though you have a moderate to severe sunburn and your skin may feel warmer and tighter than usual. Avoid direct sunlight 24-48 hours after your treatment. It is recommended to use sunscreen with an SPF 25 or greater. For at least 3 days post-treatment, do not use any Alpha Hydroxyl Acids, Retinol, Vitamin A, Vitamin C or anything perceived as active skincare but be sure to protect your skin with SPF 25+.