Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) also called Autologous (from the patient). Platelet Gel (APG) is a product obtained by taking a small portion of the patient’s own blood (20 to 120 cc) and separating the Platelets which contain the healing and growth factors necessary for the damage reversal & re-building process.
Once deployed, these Platelets release LARGE doses of bioactive proteins (growth factors) responsible for attracting micorphages, mesenchymal stem cells, and osteoblasts that are critical for tissue regeneration and repair.
What is “Platelet Rich Plasma” and how does it work?
Upon platelet activation, “Inflammation” (phase 1) starts and can last up to 3 days. This is the phase of growth factor release. Once inflammation occurs, and the growth factors are released, the influx of Fibroblasts go to the injury and begin “Proliferation” (phase 2). It is a phase of healing and can last for weeks. It is during this phase that Fibroblasts differentiate and neo-vascularization occurs. “Remodeling” (phase 3) is when the newly laid collagen matures and strengthens.
And the beauty of it is it’s SAFETY!
PRP’s safety has been established over 20 years and its proven effectiveness has extended across multiple medical specialties. The natural acceleration of patient healing achieved with PRP has proven to be inherently safe because it is derived from the patient’s own blood at the time of treatment and eliminates concern of disease transfer. Due to the presence of white blood cells, PRP grafts are bactericidal, especially against Staph and E-coli.
The Treatment
We will draw 20 cc of the patients own blood into a syringe, then centrifuge it, to separate its components. We will then inject your Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) back into the desired areas. The full procedure takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
We advise 1-3 treatments, depending upon the desired outcome of the patient. Your treatments will occur once every 4–12-weeks. Touch up or maintenance visits may occur once a year, after the initial treatment plan is complete. This will help to maintain your results.
Side Effects, Risks & Complications
- Bleeding, bruising, infection (as with any injection)
- Pain or itching at the site of injection
- Short lasting pinkness (flushing) of the skin
- Allergic reaction to the calcium chloride
- Injury to a nerve or muscle (as with any injection)
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Dizziness or fainting
- Minimal side effect from the treatment
Contraindications
- Cancer and Chemotherapy
- Severe metabolic and systemic disorders
- Abnormal platelet function
- (blood disorders, i.e. Haemodynamic Instability, Hypofibrinogenaemia, Critical Thrombocytopenia, Hemophiliacs)
- Chronic Liver Pathology
- Anti-Coagulation Therapy
- Use of corticosteroids (within 2 weeks of procedure)
- Underlying Sepsis
- Acute and Chronic Infections
- Fever
- Skin diseases such (i.e. SLE, porphyria, allergies)
Indications for Cosmetic Applications
- Wrinkling skin around the eyes
- Bags and dark circles under eyes
- Cheeks, mid face (malar pads, temporal area)
- Neck
- Jaw Line (jowls) and other sagging skin
- Peri-Auricular area
- Chest and Décolletage
- Back of hands and arms
- Acne Scars
- Decrease Pore Size
- Lips
- Stretch Marks
- To Stimulate hair growth on scalp
- To reverse change of hair color from grey to natural color.