Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy involves the use of your own blood components to stimulate healing, growth factors and collagen production to naturally repair your skin from the inside out. This procedure is used most commony to brighten the skin tone, reduce fine lines, and strengthen and thicken hair. It can be used as an alternative to dermal fillers in areas of greater risk but the results are not as quick or dramatic. PRP can also be combined with filler in areas where swelling often occurs, such as the undereyes, to achieve a softer look with less risk of adverse reactions. There are fewer hypersensitivity risks with this treatment since your own blood is used and almost no downtime. Results are typically noticeable after a few treatment sessions and continue to develop for up to 3 months post-treatment. A series of 4-6 sessions is often recommended to achieve desired results and correction of skin concerns.
Before Your Treatment
Provide a detailed and accurate medical history including medications, allergies and previous aesthetic treatments/complications.
Consider the aftercare instructions/downtime as well as timeline for expected results prior to scheduling your treatment. Do not undergo aesthetic treatments right before a vacation or special event.
Avoid tanning, hair removal, sunburn and active skin care ingredients such as retinol immediately prior to treatment.
Cancel your appointment if you are acutely ill or have a rash or cold sore in the treatment area. Those with a history of cold sores (Herpes Simplex 1) should take a course of antiviral medication in advance of procedures in the perioral area.
To ease the flow of your blood draw, ensure you attend your appointment well hydrated and it is always best to have a meal prior to arrival to reduce lightheadedness that can accompany venipuncture for many people.
If possible, please come to your appointment with your face make-up free and freshly washed.
What To Expect At Your Treatment
Your provider will begin with ‘before’ photos and will review steps, expectations and instructions. Blood will be drawn from your arm and spun in a centrifuge machine to separate the platelet rich plasma from the rest of your blood. This PRP will then be manually injected or microneedled into the tissue.
Since PRP is readily absorbed back into the body post-injection, over-correction of volume loss is expected, giving the appearance of swelling. Over a short period of time, the PRP will re-absorb and the swollen appearance will dissipate.
It is estimated that 20-30% of volume correction gained with PRP treatment will be retained.
Immediately following treatment, you may experience redness and possibly some increased warmth or mild burning sensation which typically resolves within a few hours.
After Your Treatment
Avoid touching the treatment area for at least 8 hours post treatment
Avoid excess alcohol, sun or heat exposure for 72 hours. Wear sunscreen
Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
Do not wash your face or apply make-up for 24 hours.
No facial treatments for 2 weeks
Do not take blood-thinning, anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, ibuprofen , prednisone, garlic, flax, cod liver oil, essential fatty acids, gingko, vitamin A or E, corticosteroids), or retinols for14 days post-treatment
A series of 3-6 treatments administered at 2-4 week intervals is recommended