PRP Facial Rejuvenation Fact Review?

Hi Tony
I so love questions from the Realself.com community because it keeps me aware of all the crazy things out there.
Consider finding my Realself article on eyetight that talks about how to personally evaluate new technology.
PRP claims improvement in facial appearance with the injection of the patient's own plasma. Essentially, blood is drawn from you, spun and the plasma in injected under the skin with the implication that growth factors in this liquid stimulate rejuvenation. The problem with this great idea is there is no a shred of scientific evidence that it even remotely works. The before and after pictures of this procedure on various web sites are either very unimpressive, show patients who have clearly had other services, or have obvious manipulation of the lighting between the before and after images. If you want proven treatment stick with BOTOX and Restylane. If you want something that is unproven and most likely ineffective, try RPR.

Thank you for your question about PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) facial rejuvenation.  Typically it is done by way of drawing the patient's blood, spinning it down in a centrifuge, drawing off the layer of Platelet Rich Plasma, then microneedling it into the skin.  The PRP can also be injected into areas of the skin, including the scalp....which helps with hair rejuvenation.  By using a patients own PRP you can get the benefits of their own growth factors which can stimulate collagen production.  This will decrease fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, minimize pores, even treat acne scarring and stretch marks.  When using the PRP (platelet rich plasma) microneedling technology for facial rejuvenation it is likely you would need 1-2 a year to achieve and maintain desired results.  For hair rejuvenation, scar treatment, stretch mark treatment, or treatment of melasma/pigment issues it will likely take multiple consecutive treaments.  There is little to no downtime with PRP microneedling.  If PRP is delivered by injection, common side effects can be bruising and/or swelling.  It does not have any neuromodulating capabilities like Botox (it won't relax muscles), but used in conjunction with Botox it has the ability to significantly improve fine lines and wrinkles.   
To be sure, see two or more experienced, licensed and board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have treatment. I hope this helps.

Combining PRP (platelet rich plasma) with microneedling (Dermapen3) both resurfaces the skin and maximally stimulates collagen production.  In addition, I inject PRP intradermally and subdermally to maximize collagen production and improve skin color, texture, tone, and fine lines and wrinkles.

Yes PRP works but it's different from fillers and botox in that it's a stimulator of tissue.  Botox slows or completely paralyzes muscle so that it doesn't move and therefore doesn't result in wrinkling of the skin.  Fillers provide immediate volume restoration by filling in wrinkles, folds, and depressions.  PRP stimulates new tissue and boosts existing tissue.  PRP can be injected into wrinkles, folds, and depressions but it can also be delivered into the skin to give an improved glow as seen in our Radiant Facial.   

PRP, or Autologous Platelet Healing Gel is made from a natural component of the patient’s own blood that is used to aid in the quicker recovery following certain cosmetic procedures. 

I have been using platelet healing gel since 2000 and, each year, use platelet healing gel in over 500 patients. This process is truly changing the way many plastic surgical procedures are performed. It is used at the end of a procedure and sprayed under the skin where it reduces bruising, swelling and speeds healing. Because it is so concentrated, it acts as a wound sealant (tissue glue). This eliminates the need for dressings and drains, and also reduces the incidence of hematomas (blood collections) and seromas (fluid collections). It also reduces bruising and swelling. In addition, it promotes more rapid healing by secreting healing and growth factors which enhance recovery.

More recently, doctors are using PRP in combination with fillers or lasers to enhance results. Stem-cell technology uniquely blended with Hyaluronic acid therapy (Juvederm, Restylane & Belotero) and the most advanced non-ablative fractional laser skin resurfacing help to create a natural result.   These harnessed stem cells facilitate healing and add volume to help tighten skin.

 

 

This is a modality that is not widely accepted. Some things in medicine may make common sense and not necessarily medical sense. For example: A raisin is a dehydrated grape but that does not mean rubbing water on a raisin will turn it into a grape. PRP is a concentrated portion of your blood. However when you bleed under the skin (bruises or hematomas) the area does not look younger.