Use your own blood for facial rejuvenation? That’s right! Platelet rich plasma (PRP) rejuvenation uses your own blood to help repair your aging skin. The procedure is also known as Plasma Therapy, Facial Stem Cell Regeneration, and even the almost terrifying name, Vampire Facial (due to the blood removal process involved), but it’s nothing to be scared of!
PRP rejuvenation can be used as a natural alternative to substances such as chemical fillers and muscle relaxants like BOTOX®. It helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, plump up the skin, reduce scarring and sun damaged or aged skin. You can have PRP rejuvenation not only on the face but on the neck, hands and other regions too. You might like to think about PRP rejuvenation instead of consulting a facelift surgeon!
The Growth of PRP Rejuvenation
The procedure is gaining in popularity and over 80 percent of patients on RealSelf report that it was successful for them in rejuvenating their skin. This therapy really works – and proves a viable alternative to other skin rejuvenation therapies.
Because PRP minimizes trauma to the face there is no downtime for patients following the procedure. While other therapies such as chemical peels may require you to stay home from work for a few days, with PRP rejuvenation you can have an appointment in the morning and go straight to work from there. This makes the procedure very appealing for those of us that lead busy lives!
First Steps
Your blood is harvested by your experienced PRP practitioner by obtaining a sample equal to around the same amount as if you had a blood test taken. This blood is then spun in a centrifuge to separate all the different parts of the blood from each other.
What’s in the Blood?
What your practitioner is after is the plasma in the blood, which is full of platelets, the blood cells that are responsible for repair in the body. The plasma also helps to stimulate stem cells, which promotes growth. Because it’s your own blood that is used, there is no risk of contracting any blood-borne diseases, or the body rejecting it.
What’s Next?
The plasma is then injected into the top layer of the dermis with very small needles, via the eDermastamp. You might have heard of derma stamping and derma rolling before. This is where tiny needles are pressed into the top layer of the skin to stimulate growth. While you can get home care derma rollers, the best results are seen with the professional machines that penetrate the skin deeper and are available only with qualified practitioners. Usually patients are offered a local anesthetic cream for the treatment area before the eDermastamp is used.
The procedure gives you a natural alternative to other more chemical or invasive procedures that you might be considering. If you are debating a facelift, laser resurfacing, fillers such as JUVÉDERM, or muscle relaxants such as BOTOX®, then you might like to consider trying PRP rejuvenation first. The procedure is effective at creating a better skin tone and making your skin plumper and more youthful looking.
Dr Michael Zacharia is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Head and Neck (Otolaryngology) and specialises in Facial Plastic Surgery. He is also an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist surgeon. Combining the latest medical, surgical and health techniques, Dr Zacharia delivers the best outcome for each and every one of his patients.
