1. Is PRP Right for Me?
Platelet Rich Plasma treatment is a minimally invasive procedure used in a wide range of treatments including skin rejuvenation, treatment of hair loss, and stimulation of slow-healing injuries. PRP therapies have become particularly popular in the professional athletics and cosmetic surgery industries as an effective method of treatment. Famous professional athletes such as Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Stephen Curry and others claim to have benefitted from the treatment.
In cosmetic applications, PRP treatment is used to stimulate collagen to repair skin damage that has occurred over the years. It is an effective treatment for dry or dull skin, wrinkles and lines, improvement of skin texture, and hair growth stimulation. PRP injections can be performed on wrinkles, folds and creases to improve their appearance. Smokers and heavy alcohol users are advised to avoid undergoing PRP therapy, as they typically get poor results from treatment.
2. Are There Any Side Effects?
The most common side effects that are attributed to PRP injections are redness, swelling, and bruising. These side effects most typically subside over the course of a week. There is some pain involved in the PRP injection procedure, but your doctor may decide to implement the use of a local anesthetic to help restrict any pain that may be felt.
Alternatively, sensitivity to certain anesthetics may trigger a reaction in some individuals. Other side effects that can occur are soreness, skin discoloration, and in some rare cases an allergic reaction may occur. If you are able to choose a clinic with a good reputation such as Dr. Mulholland’s SpaMedica clinic in Toronto, you will greatly minimize the potential of adverse side effects occurring after your procedure.
3. Is PRP Safe, and What Are the Risks?
As with any injection that punctures the skin, there is always a small risk of infection or injury to blood vessels or nerves. Due to the advancement of science and the fact that PRP treatment uses the patient’s own blood to perform the treatment, the risk of infection is considered to be very low. However, in some rare cases an allergic reaction may occur and it’s important to discuss this possibility with a specialist. The benefits usually outweigh the risks for many, but the sensitive nature of this procedure makes it vital to find a reputable clinic and doctor that can perform the procedure confidently.
4. How Effective Is PRP Treatment?
Platelet rich plasma treatment is generally accepted as an effective treatment option for cosmetic improvements, however, results may vary from person to person. Fractional resurfacing and topical PRP can provide significant improvement in patients with wrinkles, sun damage, and elastosis. Studies have indicated that PRP treatment stimulates growth factors that promote rejuvenation of tissue. It’s important to take into consideration that PRP treatment may not work for everyone, especially if you regularly consume alcohol or tobacco. Patients can expect visible results from their treatment within three weeks, with gradual improvements over the following months. PRP treatments can be combined with a variety of other treatments, including blue light therapy, to greatly improve the results of your initial PRP injections.
The PRP treatment results vary from person to person, and the positive results can be permanent. The use of a needle roller can be implemented during the treatment, and continued for six weeks to maximize results.
If you are looking for an effective and minimally invasive skin and hair care treatment, then PRP is a viable procedure that can produces great results.
SpaMedica was founded by Robert Stephen Mulholland, M.D., physician and internationally renowned cosmetic plastic surgeon and lecturer. Uniting exceptional service with the atmosphere of a conventional spa environment, we feel an essential component of your care relates to the quality of the systems in place for insuring your safety and excellent outcome during and after your laser skin procedure, medical spa service, or cosmetic surgery procedures.
