PRP and Microneedling

 

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is a natural rejuvenation method used to help foster our body's tremendous healing powers to correct different medical problems. Platelet-Rich Plasma has been used in dentistry, orthopedics, sports medicine, wound healing, and has evolved to address aesthetic concerns such as facial and breast rejuvenation and hair restoration. 

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Microneedling with or without PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)Platelet Rich Plasma Injections (PRP Injections)

Are you seeking a natural way to rejuvenate your skin? Microneedling with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, often referred to as a vampire facelift, is used to improve the quality and texture of your complexion using elements of your own amazing body. This technique awakens your own healing mechanisms to help produce more collagen and repair the skin. Platelets are blood cells that are packed with growth factors and healing power, and they can help smooth away wrinkles and lines, soften stretchmarks and scars, and restore elasticity and tone. 

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What is Microneedling?

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Microneedling is a cutting-edge technique designed to trigger the skin’s own healing process. Creating thousands of microscopic injuries in the tissues encourage the production of vital growth factors, inducing collagen and elastin, which restore a youthful appearance. This procedure uses a small hand-piece device, with sterile disposable tips, uniquely designed to deliver multiple, tiny wounds to the target tissue. As the body reacts to these micro-wounds, the natural healing properties take over, kick-starting collagen and elastin production. Over the next several months, the skin’s repair system will plump tissues, smoothing wrinkles and creating a firmer, tauter texture.

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Microneedling Can:

• Smooth wrinkles and deep facial lines

• Reduce acne scars, keloid, and surgical scars

• Shrink large pores

• Improve skin texture, tone and color

• Reduce stretch marks

• Improve sun damage, melasma and hyperpigmentation

 

How is Microneedling performed?

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Prior to treatment, a topical or local anesthetic will be applied, maximizing patient comfort. Additionally, a topical serum, or PRP may be applied to the skin immediately before or after the Microneedling procedure. A device with sterile disposable tips with multiple tiny needles,  will glide over the tissue. This will create a series of microscopic channels in the skin, at a customized, predetermined depth. Once the Microneedling procedure is complete, patients are free to return to their daily routine within 24-48 hours.

Between three and six micro-needling treatment sessions are required for optimal results, although the exact number will depend on the individual patient. Those with more severe sun damage, severe wrinkles, or deep scaring and strech marks will require the greatest number of sessions. Patients will need to space treatments out approximately four to six weeks apart, giving tissues time to heal between sessions.

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What can I expect from my Microneedling recovery?

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Microneedling does not have any significant downtime, so patients are able to return to work, school, and all commitments within 24-48 hours or less usually. It is common for the treated area to be bloody, red and swollen for the first 12 to 24 hours, however this will usually quickly resolve.  Micro-needling results in few side-effects, however in rare cases, pigmentation changes can occur. 

Many patients will begin to notice their initial results only a few days after a Microneedling treatment. After 10-14 days, as the body’s natural production of collagen and elastin increase, the skin will become plumper, smoother, and tighter. Over the following several months, new tissue will form, bringing healthy cells to the surface of the skin, further improving the appearance.

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What is PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)?

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PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma is a procedure where a patient’s blood is drawn by a doctor or nurse , placed in a test tube and then centrifuged to discard the red and white blood cells and concentrate the Platelets in plasma. This platelet rich plasma will have growth factors that stimulate the healing mechanism of the body. When combined with micro needling the results are dramatically improved. You may have heard of the term “Vampire Face Lift” or a Vampire facial. The micro needling technique introduces the platelet rich plasma into the skin. For deeper rejuvination PRP can be injected underneath the skin.

For hair restoration PRP can be injected into scalp.

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Who Can not get PRP?

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Pregnant or breast feeding women
Patients with blood disorders like thrombocytopenia, blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.

Patients who have HIV or Hepatitis C, or metastatic cancer

Patients with autoimmune disorders, and skin diseases like scleroderma.

Patients on blood thinners like Warfarin, Plavix, Aspirin, Xarelto

Patients with chronic liver disease

Recent fever or serious illness

Local infection at the site of the procedure 

Consistent use of NSAIDs within 48 hours of procedure 

Steroid injection at treatment site within 1 month 

Systemic use of steroids within 2 weeks

Tobacco use

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Are there any adverse effects of PRP treatments?

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Adverse effects of treatment with PRP are rare, but there are certain inherent and potential risks and side effects.  Some of the Potential Side Effects of Platelet Rich Plasma include, but are not limit to the following:

• Discomfort, Pain and bleeding at the injection site

• Bruising

• Infection as with any type of injection

• Erythema and red appearance of the treatment area. Severity will depend upon how aggressive the treatment was performed and how your skin reacts. Skin will be pink or red and may feel warm, like a mild sunburn, tight and itchy which may subside in 12-24 hours.

• Dryness, scaling and peeling which will resolves within 7 to 10 days.  In rare cases scab may form

• Injury to a nerve and/or muscle

• Itching at the injection site(s)

• Nausea /vomiting / Dizziness or fainting

• Temporary blood sugar increase

• Swelling at treatment site

• Permanent scarring ( extremely rare)

• Hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) rarely occurs and usually resolves itself after a month.

• Herpes flare up if you have a history of outbreaks and you are not on anti-viral therapy before the procedure as indicated on the Pre-Treatment instructions above..

• Minimal or no effect from the treatment

 

Pre-Treatment Instructions

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• Avoidance of Accutane for the past 6 months

• Avoid Botox/facial fillers 2-4 weeks prior to treatment

• Avoid Alcohol 7 days prior to PRP treatment as alcohol diminishes stem cell release.

• Avoid retinoids, topical antibiotics, exfoliants, hydroquinone, sunburn, and benzoyl peroxide 7 days prior to procedure

• Avoidance of IPL/Laser procedures for the past 7 days prior

• No waxing, depilatory creams or electrolysis 5-7 days prior to procedure

• No topical agents that may increase skin sensitivity or dryness 7 days prior to treatment such as topical retinoid or hydroquinone products, alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) beta hydroxyl acids (BHA), exfoliating masks, or benzoyl peroxide acne products).

• No shaving the day of the procedure

• No significant recent changes in the skin breakdown of skin or excess dryness or sunburn

• If history of cold sores, you should be on antiviral agent for 2 days prior to and at least 3 days after treatment.

• No NSAIDS(like Advil, Aleve, Aspirin) or steroid medication 7 days before and 14 days after the treatment as these agents will diminish the clinical outcome as platelets work by causing inflammatory cascade for tissue repair. You may take Tylenol or pain or discomfort both before an after without diminishing efficacy of PRP.

• Those patients who smoke, quality of PRP will be lower due to diminished stem cell release.

• Please increase your intake of fluid the day before your procedure by drinking 2 glasses of water in the morning, 2 glasses at lunch and 2 glasses at dinner.  (Please don’t drink water too late in the evening or you’ll be up using the washroom at night)

• On the actual day of your procedure simply have a bottle of water (500 mL) before your session.

• Please eat a normal breakfast  and lunch the day of your PRP session. 

• Discontinue blood thinning agents such as vitamin E, vitamin A, Ginko, Garlic, Flax, Cod Liver Oil, Essential Fatty Acids and least one week before your treatment.

• Please stop multivitamins one week before your procedure as well. It’s fine to continue iron and vitamin D.

• Avoid alcohol for three days before your PRP session

• If possible, stop smoking or limit smoking for three days prior to your procedure. The more the better as we find it really impacts on the healing process!

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Post-Procedure Instructions:

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• No sunscreen OR makeup for 12 hours following treatment.

• Wash the face a few hours after treatment or before bed time. Use gentle cleansers. Gently massage the face with tepid water (a shower can provide an easier ability to massage the face while washing at the same time), and remove all serum and dried blood.

• 12-72 hours post-treatment mineral makeup can be applied, but continue to use a gentle cleanser, hyaluronic acid serum, and physical sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher. 

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• Use ONLY your post-treatment kit for the first four days after your treatment.  Do not use any of your own products during this time period. 

• NO SUN EXPOUSURE for at least 14 days, ideally 30 days after procedure.

• NO tanning beds, or self-tanning products for 7-14 days after procedure.

• NO picking or exfoliating,

• NO vitamin A products 7 days post treatment (including Retin-A, Retinol, Tazorac).  

• NO chemical peels 14 days post treatment 

• NO shaving 3 days after procedure, if skin is irritated continue to wait before shaving. 

• NO toners for 14 days post treatment 

• NO sweating, exercising, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath until skin irritation has resolved (3-7 days) 

• NO exfoliating medications or chemical products or devices for at least 7 days post treatment 

• Use Ice packs, and Tylenol  if you are feeling discomfort or swelling.  Do not take Ibuprofen, Aleve or Mortin. 

• Eat fresh pineapples or drink pineapple juice to minimize bruising and swelling.

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