Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have been long used in orthopedic medicine, but research has shown that it also has aesthetic benefits in dermatology.
What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma is a natural product created from your own body. Your blood contains three major types of blood cells–red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The platelets are tiny cell fragments whose main function is to help blood clot, but they also promote healing by releasing growth factors that can speed healing and stimulate tissue regeneration.
How Does the Procedure Work?
First, a small amount of blood is drawn by a certified esthetician or dermatologist. It is then placed into a machine called a centrifuge, which separates fluids of different densities. In this case, the centrifuge separates the platelets–the cells in your blood that have the ability to heal tissue and grow new cells. The platelets are then injected into specific areas of the skin to promote collagen growth.
The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes. Some redness may occur at the injection site, but most people are able to return to work or their normal activities right away.
Results can typically be seen within 3 to 4 weeks after treatment and continue to improve with time. However, the results from PRP injections are not permanent and should be completed as a series for optimal results.
What are the Benefits?
PRP injections can help restore youthful fullness to your face by stimulating collagen production, regenerating tissue, and tightening skin. It can be used to treat acne scars, achieve plumper lips, enhance shallow contours, and soften facial wrinkles and creases. PRP injections have also been proven to promote hair regrowth in those that have experienced thinning or hair loss.
The benefits of PRP injections include:
- No surgery
- No downtime
- Less costly than cosmetic surgery
- Proven safety, as the plasma is derived from your own body as opposed to created from chemicals
- Effectiveness with results beginning within 3 to 4 weeks after treatment that continues to improve with time
Schedule a Consultation
PRP injections are just one of the many types of dermal fillers offered at Blue Ridge Dermatology’s Cosmetic and Laser Center in Raleigh. To learn more, call Blue Ridge Dermatology at (919) 781-1050 to schedule a complimentary consultation.
