PRP Injections

Skin rejuvenation sits high on most people’s cosmetic treatment wish lists. But, years of sun and pollution damage cause the natural levels of collagen and elastin within the skin to break down, leading to aged and dull-looking skin.

One of the best non-invasive ways to rejuvenate the skin and hair and turn back the clock is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), which relies on plasma from your blood.

Initially, PRP gained popularity for its wound-healing abilities in more traditional medicine, but once the therapy was demonstrated to be advantageous to the skin, it quickly became the treatment du jour. Today, PRP is heralded for its multitude of skin and beauty benefits, and it’s also shown to have a profound effect on thinning hair.

The beauty of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, whether for improving skin health or jumpstarting hair growth, is their no-downtime convenience, scar-free treatment, and visible results. Some fans of PRP call it a natural alternative to facial fillers and injectables since it offers the benefit of collagen stimulation for natural plumpless, making the treatment a good alternative for people who are advert to using injectables. So, if you’re considering a PRP treatment for the skin or face, this is everything you’ll want to know before committing.

What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Before PRP became a mainstay treatment for aesthetic purposes, it was initially implemented in orthopedic medicine, dentistry, and reconstructive surgery to aid in fast healing.

As doctors noted the various benefits of PRP, the treatment made its way into the beauty realm for its ability to improve the skin and hair.

Blood contains a small number of skin friendly elements such as growth factors, platelets, and other healing factors that, when extracted from the blood and then applied or injected into the skin or scalp, help rejuvenate it by jumpstarting natural processes that slow with age—housed within plasma live platelets. These tiny cells have a function to aid in blood clotting when a wound occurs. When it is injected into an area that requires stimulation, it causes a mild inflammatory response that triggers the start of the healing process. The platelets then organize themselves and release enzymes that help heal the damaged area, creating new collagen. When PRP is used on the skin (either on the face or scalp), this effect translates to a tightening effect of the skin, allowing tissue remodeling that emerges healthier and younger.

Platelet Rich Plasma is a safe and natural treatment that relies upon the platelets in your plasma (extracted from your blood) to improve the hair growth cycle and revive the skin. Although blood is removed, the plasma won’t hold the same benefit unless it follows the appropriate steps to make it into an injection.

The skin contains fibroblasts that communicate with collagen- and elastin-creating cells to start production. Both collagen and elastin are necessary for healthy skin, and a healthy scalp (the fundamentals of hair growth), yet aging slows down their natural production. With PRP, the fibroblasts are “turned on” so that all systems function correctly and as intended.

Platelet Rich Plasma has become a popular skin treatment because it dramatically enhances the skin’s texture. Feeding the skin with nutrient-dense platelets and growth factors signals the skin to start making collagen. That’s why PRP is considered highly effective in improving scars (including acne scars), reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, increasing volume in the skin, and increasing hair growth.

Although Platelet Rich Plasma is a popular treatment for improving the skin’s health on your face, Platelet Rich Plasma is also an excellent option for improving thinning hair and signs of hair loss. Although the scalp’s application mode is somewhat different from the face’s, Platelet Rich Plasma works the same way to increase hair growth. Platelet Rich Plasma effects are further amplified with microneedling or laser treatments.

How Does PRP Work?

PRP works by speeding up the wound healing process through a controlled injury, which is why it’s often used with microneedling or injected directly into the skin or scalp.

The growth factors within the PRP are like gold to quickly and effectively regenerate the skin.

PRP relies on skin-rejuvenating platelets and growth factors obtained through a blood draw. Anywhere from 20 to 55 ccs of blood are drawn initially from the arm before being placed into a centrifuge that separates the plasma. Then, the extracted platelets are made into a serum injected into the scalp to address hair-related issues or applied directly to the skin.

When PRP is used for hair growth, the injections must be made on the scalp in a specific pattern and at an exact angle to deliver the serum effectively to stimulate hair growth and improve collagen in the scalp. In the case of skin rejuvenation, PRP is often the second step, following either microneedling or a resurfacing laser.

For PRP to be effective and work its magic, small entryways to the skin must exist. Then, the PRP mixture can be applied and then spread across the skin to work its magic. When using PRP for hair growth, most patients couple the treatment with a hair growth supplement to maximize the results and provide the scalp and hair with other necessary nutrients.

What are the Benefits of PRP?

PRP provides various benefits, especially improving skin tone, texture, and hair health. The PRP matrix increases skin cell growth and turnover, which can rejuvenate the skin in areas including:

Fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed out, and the skin is tighter and firmer, with smaller pores following PRP. Most patients notice healthy, glowing skin and a slight boost in volume, too. When PRP is placed into the scalp, it stimulates hair growth, treating particular baldness, hair loss, or thinning. Therefore, PRP injections are beneficial for both men and women who are suffering from thinning hair. However, for PRP injections to be successful, they must be administered in an exact pattern that covers half-inch sections of the scalp in the specific areas where hair loss and thinning are evident.

PRP is often considered a natural alternative to fillers and injectables since it uses your blood instead of synthetic agents or ingredients.

That means there’s no risk of rejection from the body. The procedure also stimulates collagen production to restore volume in areas of the skin where it is lacking for added fullness in the cheeks and under the eyes while improving the tone and luminosity of the skin.

The main benefits of PRP include the following:

Increased collagen production
Reduced fine lines and wrinkles
Healthier-looking and acting skin
Increased hair growth
Tighter skin and improved skin tone
Improvement in acne scars
A natural brightness to the skin

PRP is a non-invasive treatment that offers no downtime and natural-looking results. Unlike other treatments, it does not require any anesthesia either. You will see the results a few weeks after the first treatment. The results, which last about 18 months, will improve with time and continued sessions.

Who is PRP for?

PRP works well for many people and their current skin and hair concerns.

For example, it can improve the skin of someone suffering from sun damage, wrinkled skin, enlarged pores, acne scars, thinning hair, or dull-looking skin. PRP is also often recommended as part of a holistic anti-aging and skin health plan.

The treatment is clinically proven to increase hair growth and is often recommended before medications and prescriptions. It is an effective solution for both men and women experiencing the first signs of hair loss. PRP works best in early hair cases for those considering the treatment for hair loss. It can also work for those suffering from androgenic alopecia, a hair thinning on the top of the head that looks like a broader part in women. Some patients are not prime candidates for PRP. Those include:

Pregnant women and women breastfeeding
Patients on anticoagulation treatment
People with autoimmune conditions
Patients diagnosed with cancer
People with facial implants in the treatment area
Anyone with a medical condition like hepatitis C, HIV or AIDS, blood or skin cancer, and cardiovascular disease

How Much Does PRP Cost?

The cost of your PRP treatment will vary depending on the area treated and the number of sessions needed.

You may also choose to couple PRP with additional therapies that influence the cost.

To determine the cost of your PRP treatment, call our office to schedule a consultation where we will put a custom program together to correct your current skin concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does PRP feel like?

While PRP may sound like a cumbersome and painful treatment, it’s far from that. PRP is relatively well tolerated with little discomfort.

Depending on the treatment area, PRP treatments can take 30 to 60 minutes. You’ll also want to factor in some time for numbing since applying numbing cream before the treatment makes it more comfortable.

What is the recovery process like?

There’s little recovery with PRP other than minimal redness for the first few days. There may also be some pinpoint bleeding on the skin, but that will subside. Some patients say the skin feels tender, slightly swollen, or hot after the treatment.

Following the treatment, you’ll notice healthier-looking skin. Collagen production will kick in over the next four to six weeks, and the skin will show signs of continued improvement. However, you’ll need to keep up with regular treatments to maintain the results.

You’ll also want to avoid using strong skin or hair care products and stick with bland, gentle products until given the green light to resume your routine. Simple moisturizers are recommended to hydrate the skin. If the scalp is treated, you must avoid washing your hair for the first few days.

Are there any risks with PRP?

In general, PRP is a safe and well-studied treatment. Like all elective cosmetic procedures, there are possible side effects, although rare, which include pain or itching at the injection site, minor bruising and swelling, and a red or pink flush to the skin. However, PRP is generally well tolerated alone or with other treatments.

How many treatments will I need?

You’ll need to undergo a series regularly to make the most of your PRP treatments. Often, monthly sessions are recommended. From there, you may need maintenance treatments every few months. Most patients see maximum benefits after three or more treatments. Each treatment involves the entire extraction process to be repeated.

Are you Ready to Experience the AFL Beauty Bar Difference?

If you’re ready to get healthier skin or stop the signs of aging hair dead in their tracks, there’s no better time to book a consultation with AFL Beauty Bar. A one-on-one consultation with our experienced, certified team of skin experts will determine the best PRP treatment for you. We can also customize a unique package specific to your skin to achieve the best results possible. Click the button below to schedule a consultation or book your PRP appointment today!