PRP
(Platelet Rich Plasma)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is used in many aspects of medicine. PRP comes from your own blood, that once spun in a centrifuge, results in a serum that can amplify the natural growth factors in your body and stimulate the growth of new cells. At Evolution Dermatology, we use PRP (as injections or topical application) to stimulate scalp hair growth, diminish facial wrinkles and in combination with microneedling to improve skin quality and help treat acne scars.
What is PRP?
Your body has the ability to heal itself. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that can amplify the natural growth factors your body uses to heal and stimulate the growth of new cells.
A quick blood draw is done in our office and your blood is spun down in a centrifuge to harvest the platelet rich plasma. We put this gold serum into a syringe where it can be injected or placed on your skin during microneedling.
This concentration of your own platelets will release growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells your body produces. PRP has been shown to help with hair growth, increase collagen and elastin production and help your body heal faster and better. And best yet, this comes naturally from your own body!
What are treatments where PRP is used?
Scalp injections for hair loss:
PRP is a treatment used to help restore hair growth. Most research on PRP for hair loss has focused on its use to treat androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Also known as hormone-related hair loss, this is a condition that can affect both men and women. What most patients notice is a widening of their part. In men with AGA, hair loss typically occurs on the top and front of the head. In women, thinning occurs on the top and crown of the head and often begins with the center hair part growing wider. The use of PRP is a great treatment option for hair loss because it has a number of scientifically based articles showing its efficacy increasing hair count, hair thickness, and the growth phase of the hair cycle.
Much of the evidence suggests that PRP may work best when it is combined with other treatments for AGA, such as topical minoxidil (Rogaine), oral supplementation, or prescription finasteride (Propecia) or spironolactone. So if you think you have AGA, ask one of our providers what treatment plan may be the best one for you.
For best results, consistency is key. Treatments are typically performed once a month for the first three to four months, and then every three to six months thereafter, depending on the individual patient’s response and results. With treatment, the first result that patients usually note is decreased hair shedding, followed by early regrowth and increased length of hair.
PRP facial injections for fine lines:
PRP can be injected to treat wrinkles in areas like around your mouth or to improve the skin texture under your eye area. First the area will be numbed with topical anesthetic so that you are comfortable, and the PRP injections are only tiny ones placed just under the skin. It has been shown that these injections stimulate collagen production and work to improve the quality of skin. Anywhere from 3-6 treatments, done 4 to 6 weeks apart will be recommended for you depending on your unique self.
PRP in combination with microneedling:
PRP is a perfect addition to microneedling! The PRP enhances your results by working to stimulate more cell growth and generate more collagen and elastin production than microneedling alone. It also decreases downtime and promotes faster healing. The PRP is placed on your skin while you are having the microneedling procedure and just after while the channels in your skin created by the microneedling pen are still open.
Tip on the day of your PRP treatment:
Drink plenty of water starting the day before treatment. Being well hydrated will help your blood draw go more smoothly.
