What is PRP Therapy & should you get it?
In cosmetic circles, PRP therapy is also known as the ‘Vampire Facial’. Touted as the secret map tp the fountain of youth, the science behind the procedure offers little proof as to whether PRP works or doesn’t. That being said, it is still an incredibly popular procedure that is suggested to aid in a multitude of cosmetic applications, including:
Wrinkle Reduction
Plumper Skin
Deep Crease Reduction
Complexion Refreshment
Acne Scar Diminishment
What is PRP?
PRP, or Platelet-Rich Plasma refers to the procedure where vials of your blood are drawn, spun to separate the platelets and then the platelet rich plasma is re-injected back into you.
While PRP can sometimes be used by orthopaedic doctors to encourage muscle rejuvenation and the treatment is currently undergoing testing with respect to hair loss, it is most commonly used to help fight the signs of aging.
The Procedure
Despite its name, the procedure is not necessarily complex and offers minimal to zero downtime following. You can expect:
A consultation is conducted to ensure that PRP is the right treatment for you and that you are a suitable candidate;
Two to four teaspoons of blood are drawn from your arm into a specialised sterile collection tube;
Your tube is placed into a centrifuge and spins to separate your blood into layers;
The layer that contains the high concentration of platelets is then injected back into your skin either via syringe or microneedling.
For immediate results, filler may also be used
The procedure is not excessively long, you should allow approximately one hour for completion.
It can take from three weeks to several months for the full effects of the procedure to be visible and you may require three or more treatments for the results to be effective.
Once the desired result is achieved, the PRP treatment can last for up to 18 months. However, any complimentary procedures or therapies such as fillers are unlikely to last as long.
Recovery
PRP offers treatment with minimal downtime, however you are likely to experience some amounts of pain, bruising and swelling after the procedure - though these will subside within a fewdays.
Risks
As with all cosmetic procedures, there are some risks. The biggest risk with PRP relates to the sterility of the blood drawn. It is incredibly important that the drawn blood be kept sterile, or there is a risk that infection can develop. There is also a risk that it is not your blood that is re-injected back into you, so your chosen facility must have protocols and processes to ensure that this risk is largely mitigated.
Who is not suitable?
As the procedure involves blood, those with certain conditions are not suited for PRP Therapy.
AIDS / HIV
Hepatitis C
Blood Cancers
Cardivascular diseases that require blood thinners
Skin Cancer in the treatment area
This is because these conditions can affect your platelets, making them unlikely to deliver the desired results.
Next Steps
While results from PRP can often be unpredictable, and are not able to be measured as rigorously as many other procedure types, should you decide to try the therapy, you should select a provider with in-depth training, ability to maintain sterile conditions and one who has adequate processes in place to mitigate any risk to you.
Book a free consultation at CQ Skin to discuss your skin concerns and develop a personalised treatment plan.