When you’re ready to start smoothing out those wrinkles that are slowly appearing, you have several options. Most well-known treatments involve injecting foreign substances like botulinum (Botox) or dermal fillers under your skin to relax muscles or fill in wrinkles.
Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy is a newer process which is rapidly increasing in popularity. Marketed under trendy names such as “Vampire Facials”, PRP uses your own blood to promote growth and healing in treated areas. Instead of injecting foreign substances, PRP is completely natural and stimulates your own immune system to regrow cells, providing long-term effects.
What is Platelet-Rich (PRP) Microneedling?
Platelet-Rich (PRP) Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a non-invasive procedure where we use a needle roller to create small, controlled micro punctures in the skin. These micro-wounds are then treated with PRP extracted from your own blood, supercharging your immune response and speeding the healing process. The result is smoother, brighter skin with reduced fine lines and wrinkles, diminished signs of hyperpigmentation, scarring, and much more. PRP also eliminates the risk of an adverse reaction, since no foreign substances are being added to your body.
About the Procedure
Before your PRP Microneedling treatment, your face is cleansed and a topical anesthetic is applied to prevent discomfort. While your face is numbing, we’ll draw blood from your arm and place it in a centrifuge, where it is spun in order to isolate the platelets. The platelets are similar to stem cells and contain hundreds of proteins that promote clotting, cell growth, and healing – all of which are beneficial in tightening the skin on the face. Each session takes 45 minutes to an hour.
After the Procedure
Immediately following the procedure, our doctors may apply a balm or serum to help soothe any irritation. You may experience minor bruising or swelling which usually fades after a few days. Avoid putting too many products on your skin for 24 hours. Simply cleanse and moisturize your skin as needed. Sweating may cause additional irritation, and strenuous activity may increase the risk of swelling or bruising. This should be avoided for 72 hours. Try and avoid sun exposure for 10 days.
As with all skin treatments, the effects of PRP Microneedling will fade over time. Typically patients will see the positive effects for anywhere from a few months to a few years. Most of our patients choose to return on a regular 6 month treatment schedule to provide optimum maintenance and results.
As you can see, Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy is a completely different process from traditional treatments like Botox and Fillers. Using your own blood to activate your body’s natural healing responses is a non-invasive and completely natural, yet still extremely effective way to improve your appearance.
At Calvine Medical Aesthetics, our team has extensive experience using the Microneedling therapy. Whether it’s your first facial procedure ever, or you’re trying the process after seeing success with other types of facial treatments, our team is here to walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have before, during and after your procedure.