What is PRP?

What is PRP? Treatments often gain popularity on the back of celebrity reviews and media coverage goes beyond the beauty pages. Few treatments have made such a splash as PRP (platelet rich plasma), which has been termed by many as the “vampire facial.”

An important part of my practice is making sure my patients feel informed, so we can work together to achieve their skin goals. In my monthly journal I highlight some of the most popular treatments performed in my clinic every day to help patients feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and skin confident.  This month I give you the inside track on PRP.

What is PRP?

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is an effective and natural skin rejuvenation therapy which harnesses the power of your own blood plasma to stimulate growth factors within the skin responsible for healing and collagen and elastin production. After drawing your blood, the richly nourishing plasma is separated and gently injected back into your skin based on individual areas of need which may include the face, lips, neck, hands and scalp.

What is PRP used for?

PRP can be used for tightening and toning skin as well as supporting mild collagen and volume loss. PRP may help minimise fine lines and dark under eye circles, pigmentation acne scarring and reduce redness associated with rosacea. It is also a good option for those suffering with certain types of hair loss including telogen effluvium and androgenetic hair loss. PRP is a very versatile therapy that is easily combined with other treatment modalities such as skin boosters, microneedling, AQUAGOLD, Tixel and Morpheus8. PRP utilises your own blood and is considered an incredibly safe treatment option as there is little to no risk of allergic reactions and no synthetic substances are used.

What to expect during a PRP treatment?

I recommend patients avoid anti-inflammatories and alcohol for 48 hours before treatment to reduce the risk of bruising.

Prior to treatment, a local anaesthetic cream is applied. A small amount of blood is drawn. This is then fixed in a centrifuge and spun for 5-10 minutes. The platelet rich plasma is extracted from the sample and injected via needle and/or cannula to the desired areas. For larger or multiple treatment areas, more than one syringe of blood may be required. PRP treatment takes 30-45 minutes.

Downtime as a result of PRP treatment

You can expect some mild redness and swelling following PRP which settles within 24-48 hours. Because PRP is injected into the skin there is a potential risk of bruising following treatment which typically resolves within 5-7 days.

How quickly will you see results and how long does PRP last?

Results are typically seen within one week following PRP treatment. Skin should feel more supple with improved radiance and glow. After one-two months, skin should appear more rejuvenated and volume loss may be subtly improved. For optimal results, a series of three treatments are performed 4-6 weeks apart. Maintenance treatments may also be done annually or biannually. Results typically last up to 12-24 months.

When do I recommend PRP?

PRP is a great treatment for those seeking a natural, rejuvenating effect as well as those with certain types of hair loss including telogen effluvium and androgenetic hair loss. PRP can be performed in all skin types and tones. PRP is highly versatile and is often used to complement and enhance the effects of other aesthetic treatments such as skin boosters, AQUAGOLD and microneedling. It can also help revitalise and reduce healing time following procedures such as Tixel and Morpheus8.