What is PRP?
Everyone knows platelets in your blood are the critical element used by the body to clot blood and begin the process of repairing a wound. But what if it were possible to take a person's own blood, separate out the platelets and plasma that are important to skin healing, and then re-inject the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) back into the patient's face to initiate the creation of new collagen and rejuvenate the skin?
It is possible with platelet-rich plasma treatments at Stockton Dermatology in Phoenix, AZ.
The PRP Injection Procedure
At Stockton Dermatology, we begin the PRP process by:
- Taking a small amount of blood from you, about the same amount used for a typical lab test.
- That blood is then placed in a centrifuge that spins at a high rate and separates the different components of the blood.
- Red and white blood cells are divided from the platelets and the plasma (the clear fluid that makes blood liquid).
- This plasma now contains a higher than the normal number of platelets (four times higher) and is called platelet-rich plasma.
- Next, calcium chloride is added to "activate" the PRP serum.
- When injected back into target areas of the face, this activated PRP serum triggers a wound response in the skin, where healing platelets create a rich fibrin mesh, initiating the production of new collagen (the skin's basic support protein).
At Stockton Dermatology in Phoenix, AZ, we apply a topical anesthetic to the areas to be treated and then use our microneedling device, complete with its 11 tiny sterile needles, to inject the PRP back into the skin. The combination of the micro-wounds and the PRP creates a rich healing environment where the skin actively rebuilds itself.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Skin Rejuvenation
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is the internal essence of your blood, containing fundamental protein growth factors. PRP has been used for years to speed the healing of joints, tendons, and muscle tissue in professional athletes. Now it can "heal" problems such as sun damage, acne scars and stretch marks, and the decreasing volume that is a part of normal aging.
What are the benefits of using PRP for skin rejuvenation?
You may have heard of professional football players using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to speed healing after an injury or surgery. That's because, once distilled and concentrated down to the core healing elements of the blood, PRP has powerful healing properties. At Stockton Dermatology we use PRP to "heal" problems such as sun damage, acne scars and stretch marks, and to address the decreasing volume that is a part of normal aging.
Each of us has some degree of skin damage, whether it is from sun exposure, the natural decline of collagen production, personal habits, stress, or other factors. By the same token, all of us could use the skin boosting/healing properties of PRP.
PRP can be used to return volume to faces that are beginning to look drawn due to volume loss. It will plump out cheek indentations, soften under eye hollows, and improve the skin tone, tightness, and texture. It is also effective for addressing fine lines, discoloration, acne scars, and stretch marks.
And because PRP uses your own blood as its base, reactions are non-existent, making our Stockton Dermatology PRP procedures ultimately safe and easy to take.
Where Can a PRP Injection Be Used for Skin Rejuvenation?
PRP can be used to return the volume to faces that are beginning to look drawn due to volume loss. It will:
- Plump out cheek indentations
- Soften under eye hollows
- Improve the skin tone, tightness, and texture.
- It is also effective for addressing fine lines, discoloration, acne scars, and stretch marks.
When Will I See Results from a PRP Injection for Skin Rejuvenation?
Results begin to show themselves in three to four weeks as new collagen is added to the treatment areas, and these results continue to build for months. For the best results, we recommend three PRP treatments, spaced 1-2 months apart.
How long will my results last after having PRP for skin rejuvenation?
Your skin will be smoother, firmer, and will have more volume once the platelets and growth factors get to work. These changes will last for up to a year. You can blame the march of time for your results not lasting longer than that. The drop in collagen production that begins when we have our 20th birthday and decreases by one additional percentage point every year thereafter will continue. To counteract that decline, Dr. Stockton recommends PRP treatments on a bi-annual basis to maintain your improvements.
What Happens After a PRP Injection for Skin Rejuvenation?
The entire PRP session takes only around 15 minutes and is relatively painless. There isn't any recovery time, but there can be some slight redness and swelling at the treatment sites. This will pass in one to three days.
PRP Skin Rejuvenation Before & Afters
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- "Very happy with all health care services received over the many years we've been under the care of Dr. Toni Stockton. Thank you for all you do!" - K.B.
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Schedule Your Consultation Today!
To learn more about PRP injections and how they can aid in skin rejuvenation, contact Stockton Dermatology at 480.610.6366 or fill out our Contact Form here.
