PRP treatment is also known as platelet-rich plasma injections. This powerful treatment option uses the platelets found in your own blood to stimulate the production of new, healthy collagen, skin regrowth, and microcirculation. If you’ve been wondering if this minimally-invasive treatment is a good fit for you, our team at Backstage Salon and Spa in Rowley, MA, is here with some answers.
How Effective Is PRP Treatment?
A Gentle Way To Get Naturally Healthier Skin
PRP treatment works with your body, and comes from your body. This makes it a great and effective choice for clients looking to improve the health and strength of their skin without relying on cosmetic injectables. Since this treatment helps to boost collagen, you can expect your skin’s strength and elasticity to improve. This should result in firmer skin and a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.
Since this treatment encourages your skin to regenerate itself, PRP therapy can also address skin tone concerns and help your skin regain and maintain a youthful glow.
A Series of Treatments May Help Boost Your Results
Some clients are thrilled with their results after a single treatment, while others may benefit from a series of treatments. The goal of a treatment series is to get your skin to where you want it to be, so your results can be maintained. Of course no treatment can halt the aging process, but it can help give your face the healthy boost it needs to glow again and reduce signs of aging.
If you’re interested in a series of treatments, reach out to us and we can go over what your individual treatment plan can look like. In general, “starter treatments” are usually spaced about a month or two apart from each other, and once you’re happy with your results we can move on to maintenance treatments.
Maintenance Treatments
Your unique needs, skin health, and response to treatment will all play a role in what your treatment plan will look like. When you come in for a consultation, we’ll be happy to give you a more specific timeline and work with your needs and goals to the best of our ability.
How Often You Get Maintenance Treatments Is Up to You
When you’re ready to move onto maintenance treatments, a single treatment every four to six months is usually all that’s needed to keep your results at their best. Of course if you reach the six month point and are still happy with your results, you can wait as long as you want.
We know each person’s needs are unique, so our team will do our best to work with your schedule so you can feel confident about your choices. Some clients can even find themselves happy with their results for a year or more!
What Is It Used For?
The platelets found in platelet-rich plasma help stimulate growth and the development of stem cells. After you receive treatment, your body will be hard at work regenerating the treated area, which in this case will be your skin.
This can help improve a range of skin concerns, including:
- Fine lines
- Loss of elasticity
- Enlarged pores
- Uneven skin tone or texture
- Sun damage
- Acne scars
- A lack of vitality in the face
The Importance of Elastin and Collagen
A lot of concerns throughout the face originate from the loss of collagen and elastin. Collagen is one of the building blocks of the skin that helps it stay strong and youthful, while elastin helps hold everything in place. A loss of elastin can lead to the skin starting to droop. This contributes to the appearance of wrinkles and can make your pores appear larger as they “stretch out.”
Improving collagen and elastin production can help your face appear healthier, smoother, and more youthful all at once.
What To Expect When You Come In for PRP Treatment
Each treatment involves a three-step process, the first of which is having your blood drawn. Since PRP is made from scratch each time, and you will only ever have your own PRP used for your treatment, a couple tubes of blood will be drawn from your arm when you come in for your appointment.
The amount of blood drawn is comparable to when you have routine blood work done, and may even be less than that.
After the Blood Draw
After your blood has been drawn, a centrifuge machine is used to separate the blood into layers by spinning it rapidly. One of these fluid layers will be the platelet-rich plasma, which is what we’re after. For the final step, the PRP will be drawn up and be re-introduced to the areas of your face that need treatment. This is done through a gentle, minimally-invasive injection process.
After treatment, your body should immediately respond and increase the amount of reparative cells in the treated area. The body will also call in “reinforcement cells” to additionally heal and rejuvenate your skin. The whole treatment process takes about an hour. Since there’s no down-time associated with it, you’ll be able to head right back home and enjoy the rest of your day after your treatment is done.
PRP Treatment FAQ
1. How Long Has PRP Therapy Been Around?
For those who haven’t heard of PRP therapy, you may be surprised to hear that the term was first developed in the 1970s. Platelet-rich plasma basically means plasma that has more platelets than is found within our circulating blood.
Soon after making this discovery, it was found that PRP had an anti-inflammatory effect and could stimulate healthy cell growth.
2. What Else Can It Be Used For?
PRP therapy started being used for athletes who had suffered a sports-related injury. The use of this therapy on high-profile athletes drew media attention, which in turn led to a huge boom in popularity.
As more uses began to be discovered for this versatile treatment option, it was found that the same way PRP therapy could be used to heal injuries by repairing damaged tissues, it could also be used to “heal” and promote wellness for the face. It’s even been used during pediatric and cardiac surgery.
It Can Be Used for Arthritis
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, and it can damage and break down the articular cartilage that protects the end of your bones. When this cartilage is thinned down or destroyed, this increases painful friction between the joints and can decrease mobility.
This is a common ailment for those who are upwards of 60 years, but it can happen to anyone regardless of their age. Joints that have been heavily used can be especially susceptible to it.
How It Works for Arthritis
Since this is a restorative treatment, it doesn’t cover up the symptoms of arthritis. Instead, it aims to improve comfort levels by treating the lost cartilage. Injections guided by imaging technology deliver the PRP right into the affected joint, which encourages the area to begin rebuilding lost cartilage tissues.
3. How Can I Tell if the Treatment Is Working?
PRP doesn’t cover up issues or symptoms, it corrects them. For that reason, any improvements you notice after your treatment will be genuine. Individual factors may play a role in how quickly you start to notice results.
Most patients will notice an improvement after about a week, and these improvements should continue to develop for the months to come. Repeat treatments can strengthen and quicken the process.
4. How Safe Is It?
The fact that this treatment originates directly from your own blood and doesn’t require any foreign injectables makes it a very safe treatment option. Ultimately your body is being used to heal itself.
When you come in to visit us, our experienced team would be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the treatment process. We know knowledge is power, and we want you to feel empowered to make the best choice for your needs. As we go over your options with you, we’d be happy to explore the other treatments we offer as well so you can compare expected results.
5. Am I a Good Candidate?
This treatment can be used for a wide range of skin types, so anyone who is healthy enough to have their blood drawn is often a good candidate for PRP therapy. That said, a consultation is the best way to know for sure if this treatment is a good fit for you and your needs.
Discover Naturally Healthier Skin
If you want to give your skin a gentle boost and restore some lost vitality to your face, this could be the treatment you’ve been looking for. Our team is passionate about helping our clients feel and look their best, and we’re ready to help answer your questions and find that perfect fit. Reach out to us at Backstage Salon and Spa in Rowley, MA, today to set up your consultation.
