We all want to look younger, but most of us can’t afford expensive cosmetic surgeries or miracle products to wipe away our fine lines and wrinkles. The good news is there are more natural ways for your skin to look firmer, healthier, and smoother. It’s called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and it rejuvenates your skin. Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardashian West have used the procedure for years.
What are platelets and what exactly is PRP therapy?
Dr. Marlene Williams, Assistant Professor of Medicine and CICU Director for
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center explains that “platelets are the cells that circulate in our blood and bind together when they recognize damaged blood vessels.” “When you get a cut, for example, the platelets bind to the site of the damaged vessel, thereby causing a blood clot.” In
PRP therapy for facial rejuvenation, a small amount of blood is taken from the patient and with a centrifuge platelets are extracted from the blood. The platelet-rich-plasma is then injected into specific areas of the skin, promoting collagen growth. After therapy sessions, the skin tightens and looks smoother. In essence, PRP reverses the signs of aging.
Top Secret Hair Loss Treatment
It may seem a bit strange, but men and women combating hair loss or thinning hair can also use PRP therapy. Once again, blood is taken, treated and the PRP is injected back into the scalp. As seen on the nationally syndicated talk show,
The Doctors, PRP helps recruits new hairs to grow, keeps hairs already in the scalp growing, and stimulates stem cells around hair follicles to thicken them. The procedure takes multiple sessions, but is minimally invasive and has a short recovery time.
Scarring and Stretch Marks
We may be fighting a continuous battle against Father Time, but some skin imperfections can’t be avoided, like scars and stretch marks. We try to get rid of them using cocoa butter during pregnancy, applying vitamin E after a cut or a wound, or even chemical peels. But PRP therapy is proving effective to bring back a healthier look to your skin. PRP Therapy is most effective when combined with
microneedling to reduce the look of scars and stretch marks. Just like the name applies, microneedling involves the use of multiple ultra-fine needles to penetrate the skin to stimulate the growth of new tissue and the production of elastin and collagen. Simply put, microneedling repairs and heals your skin. It sounds scary, but the procedure involves only a small amount of discomfort. That is why a topical gel is applied beforehand to numb the treatment area gently.
Versatile and Quicker Recovery
One of the best features of PRP Therapy is its versatility. It’s useful on all skin types, colors and as we mentioned, both sexes. Even with microneedling, the procedures can be used on various parts of the body, including the face, neck, back, and chest. Also, in contrast to radical cosmetic surgeries, the recovery time for PRP Therapy is short. Most patients return to their office or their home lives the next day.