Using blood-derived growth factors (platelet-rich plasma (PRP), Microneedling with PRP is a safe procedure for renewing the skin of the face and other body areas for correcting texture and color.
Benefits
This treatment is natural in that your own cells are used and microneedled into the specified areas. Since a distillate of growth factors from your own blood (PRP) is used, there should be no side effects from the material microneedled.
The body reacts to the treated cells as it does to a wound and immediately starts repairing the tissue. This builds the underlying tissue with tightening, smoothing, and increased blood flow (which makes the color more attractive).
It may take 5 to 7 days to heal from microneedling and do not pick any of the scabs. Let these scabs naturally fall off so as to not produce any scars. Within 2 to 4 weeks you will see improvement with continued positive changes for 12 weeks.
There is actual growth of new tissue by stimulation of uni-potent stem cells, so the change is not from something foreign being in the body but from the body actually rejuvenating and growing. The platelet rich plasma (PRP) stimulates new blood flow with new blood vessels (neo-vascularization).
The results of this treatment should last for at least 6 months to one year, but results may vary, and the research documenting the longevity of results are ongoing.
Treatment
You may take a pain medication, such as Tylenol or a prescription medication may be requested. Do not take aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or corticosteroids.
These drugs may inhibit the stem cells natural inflammatory response. A topical anesthetic (numbing) cream (lidocaine, bupivicaine, and tetracaine) is applied to the face and other body areas.
Blood is drawn in the same way blood samples are taken for routine lab tests. Blood is centrifuged to separate the component cells. Platelets are separated and used for this procedure as platelet rich plasma.
Platelet rich plasma is poured over your face while your aesthetic nurse micro-needles your skin using clean technique. This procedure has a duration of approximately 1 hour
Foreseeable Risks and Discomforts
The primary risks and discomforts are related to the blood draw where there is a slight pinch to insert the needle for collection and there is a potential for bruising at the site. The microneedling may cause pain similar to an intramuscular injection since 12 small 33 gauge needles prick your skin during this procedure.
There is generally minimal pain because the topical anesthetic numbs the skin and the needles are very, very small.
There is a potential for bruising at the injection sites. Pain from bruising could occur. Smokers have less positive response to this treatment than non-smokers, since the toxins in cigarette smoke block the response of the stem cells.
There may be some variation in achieving the results requested as everyone’s body type is different and may have a different response. The introduction of the needle(s) into the skin always presents the possibility of infection, scarring, loss of sensation, or change in muscle strength
