PRP Patient Information

PRP is your own blood plasma, platelets and growth proteins. This self-derived product possesses immense capabilities related to tissue regeneration.

Clinical data shows that PRP promotes tissue healing by releasing a large amount of growth factors from the platelets in the treated area.

Each growth factor has a unique role in stimulating biochemical pathways that promote skin repair. Together, they create a synergistic effect for maximal regenerative results.

PRP has been used for years in orthopaedics and sports medicine to aid healing of injured or damaged muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, and pain control. PRP is widely used in aesthetics, where the natural components of your own body are harnessed to promote skin rejuvenation. By stimulating collagen, elastin and cellular growth, as well as by improving local blood supply and hydration, your skin texture and tone should gradually improve and lead to a younger looking skin. PRP is a safe and natural process since it uses your own blood plasma cells and growth factors to stimulate new collagen in the targeted areas of concern, where we want your skin to repair and rejuvenate itself. PRP may also be an effective alternative to surgical scalp hair restoration.

PRP can be used topically (e.g. after micro needling or fractional or full field laser resurfacing) or injected under the skin.

PRP is usually used on the face, neck, décolletage (chest), scalp and hands, but may be used anywhere needed.

One or several treatment sessions at approximately monthly intervals is usually recommended until desired result is achieved, followed by periodic maintenance or touch-up treatments at 3-12 month intervals. Response and number of sessions may vary by patient. Smokers may require more treatment sessions than non-smokers as tobacco smoke toxins may diminish cellular responsiveness to PRP.

After PRP is injected, some improvement is usually noticeable immediately, however, there is typically a return to your baseline within several days as the fluid portion of PRP is absorbed by your body before the complete effects of the regenerative process.

Mesotherapy treatments are often combined with PRP to improve the effectiveness of PRP or enhance overall cosmetic outcome.

PRP therapy stimulates your skin to grow new, younger tissue; however, does not prevent muscle movement or resurface the skin. Thus, most patients see best results when combining PRP treatments with other anti-ageing treatments such as Wrinkle reduction injectables, dermal fillers, resurfacing and/or tightening treatments and skin care products, etc. (Avoid deep peels or resurfacing for 2 weeks after PRP injections.) Generally, you may notice immediate and more significant longer term skin improvements, especially with multiple or ongoing treatments.

For best results, we recommend an initial series of three sessions, 3-8 weeks apart. Maintenance treatments are recommended every 6-12 months for optimal long-lasting results.

The PRP procedure requires a small sample of your blood that we obtain in the same way as your blood is drawn for lab tests at your GP surgery.

Your blood is collected in sterile, specialized test tube and centrifuged, ten minutes later, the PRP has been separated from the whole blood and is ready for use. Once on site, the growth factors and other regenerative molecules are released leading to collagen and elastin formation as well as cellular growth and skin remodelling, resulting in long-lasting skin rejuvenation.

The injection and/or topical application of PRP are very safe because it is derived from your own blood.

There are no preservatives used in PRP and no chance of your body rejecting the cells. Thus, no allergy testing is required.

The primary risks and discomforts are related to the blood draw, including a slight pinch related to the needle insertion and possible bruising at the blood draw site. Those reactions usually pass in a day or two.

Other risks or side effects are generally temporary and injection related this may include, but are not limited to:

• Injection needle marks (Visible needle marks are not unusual and resolve quickly or within a few days.)
• Swelling (Apply an ice or cold pack 5-15 minutes per hour until any swelling resolves, usually within 12-24 hours.)
• Bruising is always a possibility with any skin injections. Avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications (i.e. ibuprofen), blood thinners, herbal supplements, vitamin E and fish oil for at least one week prior PRP therapy to minimize bruising risk.
  You may restart these medications, supplements, vitamins, etc. the day following PRP therapy.
• Any bruising that may occur generally resolves within 7-14 days and may be covered with makeup as needed.
• Itching is not common, but if occurs, is temporary and may be treated with over the counter anti-histamines, if needed.

• Post-PRP pain is not common, but tenderness may occur and is generally short-lived, but may last up to 1-2 weeks.
  Paracetamol (per package insert instructions) may be taken to reduce any post-PRP discomfort if needed.
• Lumps / Bumps usually represent bruising or swelling and generally subside within a few days to a couple of weeks.
• Infection is extremely rare, but if occurs may require treatment including topical and/or oral antibiotics.
• Asymmetry – The human face is normally asymmetrical in appearance and anatomy. Also, it may not be possible to achieve or maintain exact symmetry with PRP injections as there can be variation in response to PRP from one side of the face to the other.
• Unsatisfactory Result – Uncommonly, some patients may have an unsatisfactory result including: temporary visible irregularities, prolonged swelling, bruising and / or tenderness and / or disappointment in the result.

PRP therapy is strictly a voluntary medical aesthetic procedure (i.e. no treatment is necessary or required.)

Alternative and/ or complementary treatments may include, but are not limited to: anti-aging topical creams, wrinkle reduction injectable, dermal fillers, chemical peels, laser resurfacing and other laser treatments, cosmetic surgery or no treatment.

Immediately following the procedure, the most commonly reported temporary side effects are redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness, tingling, numbness, lumpiness, and/or a feeling of pressure or fullness at the injection sites and/or in the treated area(s). Cold gel packs/ice may be applied immediately after treatment to reduce swelling.

To Maximize Results and Prevent Complications:

Avoid scrubbing the injection sites for at least 4 hours. However, makeup may be applied immediately after, if desired. Starting on the evening of the treatment and for the next several days; wash your face gently with a mild cleanser once to twice daily. After several days, you may return to your regular skin care routine.

After Care of Topical Application of PRP associated with PRP Hair Restoration:

• To Maximize Results: For a minimum of 5 hours after the PRP has been applied to your skin, do NOT: wash your skin, expose the treated area/s to direct high heat, or engage in activities that will get you wet or cause you to sweat (e.g. blow dryer, sun exposure, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, very hot shower, strenuous exercise, etc.)
• After PRP Application, we may apply a topical antibiotic ointment or other soothing / healing ointment.

Starting on the evening of the treatment, wash your face gently with a mild cleanser twice daily.

Avoid makeup for at least 24 hours and until healed. You may return to your regular skin care routine when healed.

For Scalp applications, shampoo and condition your scalp daily starting the first evening or the next morning after PRP.