What is PRP?
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is a product that comes from your own blood. It has many uses in medical treatments due to its ability to promote new tissue growth.
The platelets in your blood cause clotting if you cut yourself, but they also deliver powerful growth factors to the injury site. These growth factors trigger the production of new, healthy cells to replace any damaged ones, helping your wounds to heal over time.
Because of their ability to trigger new cell growth, platelets are becoming increasingly popular for treating aesthetic concerns like hair loss and aging skin.
PRP can revitalize dormant hair follicles by increasing their blood supply, encouraging better, thicker hair growth. It can also boost collagen production in your skin to reduce wrinkles and plump up sagging skin.
What does PRP treatment involve?
PRP treatments have two stages. First, your provider draws some blood, which they place in a special device (centrifuge) that spins the blood at high speed. This process separates the blood so your provider can extract a concentrated sample of platelets and plasma (the liquid part of your blood).
The next stage differs according to whether you’re having a PRP facial or hair loss treatment:
PRP facial
For a PRP facial, your provider first numbs your skin with an anesthetic cream. They then spread the PRP over your skin and apply a microneedling device. Microneedling creates many tiny holes in your skin, which allows the PRP to sink deeper into the tissues. It also acts to stimulate natural healing, which further boosts collagen production.
PRP hair loss treatment
To treat hair loss, your provider puts the PRP solution into a syringe and injects it into multiple points on your scalp. For the best results, you should complete a course of PRP treatments.
How soon can I expect to see results after PRP treatment?
PRP treatment doesn’t provide instant results. The new cell growth starts almost immediately following your PRP treatment, but it takes time for the cells to multiply sufficiently to create visible new tissues.
You should see a gradual improvement in your skin or hair over the next few months. The effects of PRP treatment can be long-lasting, too, continuing for several years in some cases.
If you’re not experiencing the results you were hoping for, you might need to undergo another round of PRP treatment. To maintain the improvement, you should also go for booster sessions as directed by your dermatologist.
Find out more about PRP by calling Island Dermatology today or book an appointment online.
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