For decades, medical professionals have been using platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) to stimulate healing in athletes, but PRP has recently received attention for its positive effects on skin health.
PRP is a noninvasive procedure. A medical professional draws blood from you and spins the vial in a centrifuge that isolates the platelets from the rest of the blood components. Then, they mix the isolated platelets with a part of your blood plasma and inject it into your problem areas.
During PRP, you get a high dose of growth factor proteins and plasma, so the area where the medical professional injects the blood solution experiences accelerated healing.
Aside from helping many athletes recover faster from injuries, PRP is also beneficial for aging skin, hyperpigmentation, scars, and a dull complexion.
But what makes this procedure so popular? Our specialist, Dr. Donald Lee, shares what the latest research says about PRP’s effectiveness and its many uses.
If you didn’t have any white blood cells or growth factors, each paper cut you get could be deadly because your wounds wouldn’t stop bleeding.
During PRP, you get 5-10 times more platelets with growth factors than your body would naturally produce after an injury. PRP therapy uses your body’s own defense mechanism in a concentrated form to address your concerns.
Because PRP therapy uses your body’s own cells to promote healing, there’s a very low risk for allergic reactions and complications.
Another benefit of PRP, as opposed to traditional procedures, is that medical professionals inject the growth factors directly into the tissue that needs help. Pills and supplements must travel through your digestive system and face more barriers until they reach the problem area.
Researchers have studied PRP therapy for its antiaging and collagen-boosting properties. In a study on women between the ages of 40 and 49, PRP increased collagen levels in the skin and decreased the appearance of wrinkles.
Another study found that PRP shows promise in the treatment and management of scars when paired with laser treatments.
We perform PRP on an outpatient basis, and most patients can return to their daily activities following the procedure. On average, it takes up to four weeks to see the final results, but the results can last up to two years.
If you’re interested in finding out whether PRP is right for you, call us or send us a message here on our website today to schedule an appointment and get expert advice on what to do next.
