When Kim Kardashian posted a picture of her blood-speckled face in 2013, platelet-rich plasma therapy suddenly became a thing. In the years since a number of other celebrities have followed suit, and while we can’t help you understand why they chose to post pictures from inside the treatment room, we can explain the procedure and how it results in total facial rejuvenation.
What is PRP therapy?
In order to understand how PRP therapy works, it’s helpful to know the composition of blood and the responsibilities of each of its four main components. To simplify:
- Red blood cells help carry oxygen and proteins to all the cells of the body.
- White blood cells help defend the body against bacteria and disease.
- Platelets are cell fragments that aid in clot formation and cell growth to heal wounds and regenerate tissue.
- Plasma is the fluid that holds these different cells together and helps to transport nutrients, hormones, and proteins throughout the body.
When we talk about platelet-rich plasma, we’re referring to a serum containing a high concentration of your own blood’s healing properties. During a PRP session at Prime Med Spa, we create that serum here in our office by drawing your blood and then putting it in a centrifuge machine that separates the plasma and platelets from the red and white blood cells. After preparing the serum, we inject it into your treatment area to stimulate collagen growth and rejuvenate your complexion.
PRP and microneedling
PRP therapy has proven most effective when combined with a microneedling technique that uses ultrafine needles to puncture the skin. The resulting microscopic holes allow the PRP serum to enter the skin and start the magical (yet scientific) process of tissue regeneration. The temporary skin damage stimulates your body’s healing mechanisms and collagen production. The PRP serum helps to boost this healing process and accelerate the regeneration of fresh, new, healthy tissue. The combination of microneedling and PRP therapy provides several skin-rejuvenating benefits, including:
- Softens fine lines and wrinkles
- Diminishes brown spots
- Corrects under-eye circles
- Reduces stretch marks
- Minimizes acne scars
- Evens out skin tone
- Improves skin elasticity
- Enhances skin texture
This combination of therapies can be used on the face, hands, arms, neck, legs, abdomen, or wherever you have scarring, stretch marks, wrinkles, brown spots, or other cosmetic concerns. Platelet-rich plasma therapy even addresses hair thinning and male pattern baldness!
Most people achieve optimal results after a series of 3 treatments with 4 to 6 weeks between sessions, but many are satisfied with how their skin looks and feels after a single session. Improvements in skin elasticity, tone, and texture should begin to show within a few weeks, but it may take up to 3 months to see the full effects of new collagen production or hair growth. As long as you maintain healthy habits, however, your final results may last as long as 2 years!
PRP therapy works!
At Prime Med Spa in San Diego, we know the value of looking and feeling great, and we’re proud to offer high-quality cosmetic services that help countless people meet their beauty goals. If you’re unhappy with your skin because it’s dull, wrinkly, scarred, blemished or just not as vibrant as it could be, you might be a great candidate for PRP therapy with microneedling (treatment room selfies optional).
Give us a call today to find out more about platelet-rich plasma therapy or to schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you! Call us at (858) 272-2021.
