Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Platelet Rich Plasma

Celebrities seem to be chasing a trendy new treatment in cosmetic dermatology called PRP injections. Because your Manhattan dermatologist has vowed to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques, you now can receive platelet-rich plasma injection treatments right here in New York City. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is not just a trend, either. It’s a proven treatment that relies on your own body for a constant supply of healing protein found in your blood. Platelet-rich plasma injection treatment, often referred to as just PRP, when provided by a top dermatologist in Manhattan, is successfully being used to treat conditions such as:

• Scars
• Acne scars
• Wrinkles
• Volume loss
• Hair Loss

The Ongoing Role of Platelets

Platelet-rich plasma used in injections for cosmetic reasons is the same material that’s been successfully used by pain management physicians since the beginning of the 21st century. While the technique is still new to many physicians in various fields of medicine, more and more doctors are finding constructive uses for the all-natural substance. The plasma forms the liquid in your blood.

Platelets are the blood components that are used for clotting. Proteins by the hundreds are inherent in the platelets, many of which are called “growth factors.” The growth factors in your blood play an important role in self-healing; they automatically heal your soft tissue and your joints. PRP treatment becomes a safe alternative to harsher chemicals and surgery when taken from your system and injected into damaged joints and soft tissues in other parts of your body. In the past, PRP injections have successfully been used to treat:

• Back pain
• Tendonitis
• Ligament and muscle injuries
• Chronic neck pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Torn rotator cuffs

The Perfect Cosmetic Adjunct

PRP therapy now serves as a treatment for many of the cosmetic flaws you may be looking to correct. It also works well in conjunction with numerous treatments your cosmetic dermatologist already offers, including:

• Neuromodulators
• Fillers
• Laser treatments
• Microneedling
• Facial rejuvenation
• Body contouring

When performed by a trained expert, PRP treatment is completely safe. It provides exceptional benefits when used in conjunction with other aesthetic procedures. The platelets found in your own blood can so dramatically improve your appearance, you’d think that your face had gone through a real-life Photoshop.

A New Hair Loss Treatment

In 2017, one of the newest uses for a plasma-rich platelet injection is to treat hair loss. The PRP therapy may counteract the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the hairs on your head with the DHT receptor. It also resets the follicles and, in some cases, reverses your rapid loss of hair. At the very least, the regenerative treatment prevents further hair loss. If you’re curious about using PRP therapy to treat hair loss, ask your Manhattan dermatologist about it.

It’s Worth Investigating

In addition to the cosmetic uses for PRP therapy that celebrities enjoy, top athletes have undergone PRP therapy to treat injuries and pain with amazing results. The body’s natural healing processes are turbo-charged when receiving increased concentrations of the growth factors found in platelet-rich plasma. While aging contributes to the changes in appearance that often have you turning to a top Manhattan dermatologist, that same aging process also reduces your body’s ability to flood-damaged soft tissues with the healing properties it naturally possesses. Platelet-rich plasma therapy has been coined “regenerative therapy” because that is what the natural substance actually does when properly applied.

How It Works

An entire PRP treatment typically takes about an hour. Your NYC specialist first draws your blood and then places it into a centrifuge, where it’s spun at speeds so high that the different parts of the blood become separated. The platelet-rich plasma is removed and then injected into the area you and your doctor have determined might best benefit from the therapy.

You must wait at least four weeks between PRP injections. And the number of treatments you need depends on the area being treated. For example, fine lines and thin skin around your eyes usually respond well after two to three treatments, while stubborn problems such as acne scars or melasma may require more treatments.

It Keeps Giving and Giving

Platelet-rich plasma therapy continues to provide rejuvenation for up to three months after the initial injection. The 19 growth factors released by the PRP go directly to work where they’ve been inserted, providing you with the maximum aesthetic benefits with little or no side effects. You need virtually no downtime after receiving a round of PRP treatment. Some people may prefer to take a day of rest, but it isn’t necessary. The worst thing might be a little puffiness if you’ve had a PRP injection in your lower eyelids, and even that side effect lasts only about 36 hours.

Few Risks and Warnings

About anyone can benefit from PRP therapy, but it’s not suitable for some, such as those who:

• Maybe pregnant or breastfeeding
• Are anemic
• Have an active infection
• Have a blood disorder
• Use anticoagulants

Side effects are infrequent since it’s your own blood that is being used for the treatments. You may feel slight pain or have redness at the injection site, but that clears up quickly and is easily sated with over-the-counter pain relievers. If you received PRP for hair loss, you might have a mild headache the day after, but that too disappears quickly.

Important Reminder: This information is only intended to provide guidance, not definitive medical advice. Please consult dermatologist NYC about your specific condition. Only a trained, experienced board-certified dermatology doctor or pediatric dermatologist can determine an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.