5 Advantages of PRP Treatment
With the growing interest in health and beauty and the standards often dictated by social media, the aesthetic world continues developing increasingly more sophisticated treatments and tools to combat various conditions. These range from weight loss solutions, nutritional supplements promising overnight transformations, or costly and invasive cosmetic procedures to slow or reverse the natural aging process. While accessible and often effective, what if we told you that your own body has the potential to heal itself, even on the cellular level? Well, it can, and the medical literature has repeatedly proven its potent results without uncomfortable side effects or downtime. One of such highly-researched revelations that has only recently become a hot topic within the beauty and wellness industry is the treatment utilizing our own blood plasma. PRP therapy is a revolutionary approach to multiple conditions, and its therapeutic value is often compared to that of stem cells. While continuously utilized in orthopedics, sports medicine, and surgery, PRP treatment has paved its way into the world of dermatology and aesthetic medicine.
So, what is PRP, and how can we use our own platelets to enhance cosmetic or skin care goals naturally? What are the benefits of these regenerative agents?
Platetel-Rich Plasma 101
Your blood’s plasma, constituting mainly of water and proteins, provides the right conditions for red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to circulate smoothly throughout your body. The platelets within your body are blood cells with an extraordinary ability to promote healing, primarily due to the presence of powerful growth factors. Growth factors have multiple jobs to regulate physiological processes, often working overtime to initiate cell reproduction, healing, and tissue regeneration. When we discuss Platelet-Rich Plasma, the name is the explanation in itself – what is used for therapeutic purposes is liquid plasma properly derived with an abundance of platelets, hence growth factors.
Platelet-Rich Plasma has to be created correctly in order for the treatment to work. The first step is drawing the patient’s blood sample, which is then spun in a professionally designed device called a centrifuge. The final product is separated plasma from other blood elements with highly-concentrated platelets ready for action (no pun intended).
With a basic understanding of Platelet-Rich Plasma, there is no doubt the procedure is extremely promising not only in standard medical care but also within the cosmetic realm. Let’s explore how you can benefit from the PRP treatment.
Female hair thinning
Hair is an essential element of every individual and often part of a cultural significance. Many people associate hair with their identity, a form of expressive art. The condition of our hair can also signal the changes happening within our bodies, often induced by hormones, such as medical problems or even pregnancy. However, our hair texture and thickness are genetically predisposed and very vulnerable to external factors, including chronic stress or repeated hairstyles. Their delicate nature is the reason why hair loss is one of the most challenging dilemmas in dermatology. Can PRP be a solution to hair thinning?
Female hair thinning can happen for various reasons, including natural aging, hormones, or genetics. One particular problem women struggle with is androgenic alopecia (AGA), caused by hormones and resulting in female-pattern hair thinning. Hair loss is a serious problem for many women, affecting their self-esteem in unmeasurable ways, which can lead to mental health struggles and social as well as personal issues. Hair restoration can be accomplished in certain individuals with PRP therapy. Platelet-rich plasma injections into the scalp can stimulate new hair growth and promote its thickness. The entire treatment consists of multiple sessions, each bringing about a gradual improvement in hair count and thickness.
It is important to note that PRP treatment concerning hair loss is still under research, mainly focusing on the session intervals and the concentration of the preparation. However, many studies have shown promising results in fighting female hair thinning.
Acne Skin Rejuvenation
Acne skin rejuvenation is a PRP facial applied to the wound site to promote healing. The procedure can be used on active acne or acne-prone skin, also targeting damaged areas. The high concentration of growth factors and cytokines present within the preparation will stimulate tissue regeneration and collagen production, thereby reducing inflammation and improving the overall texture of your skin. While PRP may not be a complete cure for acne, it is a highly effective complementary treatment.
Female Urinary Frequency
Aside from cosmetic concerns many men and women face, female urinary frequency is an uncomfortable problem affecting millions of women worldwide. The condition is often caused by weakened or damaged pelvic floor muscles that can occur due to aging, childbirth (especially multiple births), or injury. PRP therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets from your blood into the affected area to promote tissue regeneration and improve muscle strength. The growth factors in PRP can help to repair damaged tissue and stimulate the body’s natural healing response, leading to improved bladder control and a reduction in urinary frequency. PRP therapy is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that can be an effective alternative to more invasive solutions, such as surgery or even medication. While more research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness of PRP therapy for female urinary frequency, initial studies have shown auspicious results.
Stress Incontinence
Similar to the urinary frequency in females, PRP therapy has shown promise as a treatment option for stress incontinence. This condition is characterized by the involuntary leakage of urine during physical activity or other exertion, such as laughing, coughing, or sneezing. It is typically caused, as in the case of urinary frequency, by weakened pelvic floor muscles, which can occur as a result of childbirth, aging, and other factors. The treatment process is the same as for female urinary frequency, leading to a reduction in stress incontinence symptoms. PRP therapy can be a viable option for those seeking a non-surgical treatment option.
Acne Scars
While primarily considered the bane of puberty, acne also affects adults and can be a problem reaching far beyond aesthetics. The post-acne scars are the remnants of the common dermatologic condition, and while acne comes in different forms and due to various reasons, the effect is often the same – scars that no skin care regimen will eliminate. Growth factors found in PRP solution will effectively promote the new cell production of collagen and elastin, reducing or entirely defeat acne scars.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy shows promise in the medical and aesthetic procedures, becoming an affordable and effective solution to many problems without highly-invasive approaches. If you are interested in getting the PRP treatment, we encourage you to contact our New You office for further assistance.