For many decades, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has been used in medicine for its properties that stimulate the proliferation of cells derived from stem cells (such as fibroblasts, platelets, endothelial cells, adipoblasts, …). These cells allow the regeneration of tissues and for this reason, it is frequently used for the healing of wounds and the treatment of joint problems.

Due to their regenerative properties, the usefulness of the use of platelets in aesthetic medicine in particular in facial rejuvenation treatments, scar correction and hair loss, began to be studied.

 

 

What is Platelet Rich Plasma?

Platelets are components of our blood, which in the body have the ability to produce growth or regeneration factors, when they are subjected to inflammatory processes due to damage to blood vessels or tissues.

Platelet Rich Plasma is defined as a volume of plasma with a concentration of platelets higher than what we normally find in our blood, in order to be used as a treatment to regenerate tissues.

Inside platelets, there are structures called alpha granules, these contain many growth factors that will help tissue regeneration. To the tube containing the Platelet Rich Plasma, a substance is added that will activate the platelets so that they begin to produce and release these growth factors from the granules and thus can be injected into the skin of the area to be treated.

 

What is PRP Treatment?

It involves injecting fresh plasma full of growth factors directly where the skin needs it most to stimulate its cell regeneration, collagen production and, thus, improve its quality and appearance: the skin increases its volume, improves its texture, reduces flaccidity and fine wrinkles.

Unlike mesotherapy with heterologous growth factors (manufactured by the pharmaceutical industry), in this case they are extracted from the patient’s own blood (we speak of an “autologous” procedure).

It is used to reverse the aging of the skin on the face, décolleté and hands, and is recommended when it begins to be observed that the skin loses collagen and its capacity for cell regeneration decreases.

The PRP Treatment is used as a preventive measure in young skin or in order to correct the signs of aging in more mature skin. With this collagen regeneration treatment, it is possible to treat the passage of time by means of substances (growth factors) that are found naturally in the body and that help cell regeneration.

This treatment is usually performed on the skin of the entire face, neck and hands. Although it is true that it is used more and more for other areas of the body.

 

How does a PRP session go?

Blood is extracted from the patient and then centrifuged: this process allows separating the plasma (which has a higher concentration of platelets and rich in growth factors) from the rest of the blood and then applying it by means of small punctures in the areas to be treated. .

The entire procedure lasts about 45-60 min, depending on the extent of the areas to be treated.

 

How Many Times Can It Be Done?

The application protocol and the frequency depend on each patient and the degree of skin aging they present.

In general, it is advisable to carry out 2 separate sessions of 2 weeks, 1 or 2 times a year, to enhance tissue regeneration.

Then you can repeat the same routine every year, in order to keep that cell regeneration active.

 

Who is Platelet Rich Plasma Recommended for?

In facial rejuvenation this treatment is useful to improve flaccidity or loss of volume of the skin and wrinkles of the face, stimulating the proliferation of fibroblasts that are responsible for the production of collagen, and in the deepest layer of the skin it can also stimulate, the proliferation of blood vessels and formation of adipose tissue that serves as filling of areas that have lost volume.

In the correction of scars, whether from burns, surgeries or acne, it can improve the quality of the skin by increasing collagen fibers and elastic fibers, it can also be used as a filler in deeper scars, either alone or in combination with other treatments.

Since 2006, it has become a useful tool to promote hair growth, as it stimulates growth factors at the root of the hair, increasing its growth phase. It is often used as part of treatment for people with alopecia (hair loss), whether they are men or women.

 

What happens after the procedure?

After the treatment, you may notice minimal swelling, redness, or bruising in the area, which can appear within the initial 12 to 24 hours. After the application, you can resume your normal life since no marks or scars will appear.

Although it is a simple technique, it carries certain risks such as the appearance of infections in the site that we have treated, allergic reactions (although this is very unlikely since we are using our own blood) or pain in the injected area.

Unlike other treatments, it is not necessary to rest.

 

PRP results

The effects will begin to be visible from the following 4 weeks, which is when the collagen that has been generated with the growth factors of the injected plasma begins to mature. The skin will appear brighter and smoother, with better tone and texture.

Complete collagen regeneration occurs 3 months after the procedure. Daily care with creams and sun protection, and the combination with other treatments such as microneedling and vitamin mesotherapy, can enhance these effects.

If we also combine PRP with hyaluronic acid and / or calcium hydroxyapatite, the correction of the loss of volume will be optimal.

 

Prices:

PRP	350€/ session
yearly PACK ( 2 sessions/ year)	660€ /year
yearly PACK ( 4 sessions/ year, 2 sessions 2x a year)	1229€ /year

 

 

Bérénice Ibarra Ottino