Words by Dr Lama Jalouk, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Laser Therapist at Aesthetics by King’s College Hospital London Dubai.
Going natural is trending, and the aesthetics industry is fast catching up. Add that to minimal downtime after an aesthetic treatment and you have a win win. One of the most loved natural aesthetic treatments is PRP therapy, short for Platelet Rich Plasma.
PRP therapy has been the go-to treatment for faster healing of wounds for decades. Used on its own, it can work wonders, but if combined with other skin treatments, the benefits triple. The results become more notable, while the downtime is cut by half.
That said, what do you know about PRP for Skin Rejuvenation, and what other treatments can it be combined with? Below I’ve dove deeper into this aesthetic treatment that not only rejuvenates but can turn back the clock.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma?
PRP is not that new of a treatment in aesthetic medicine. The therapy uses one’s own blood plasma to stimulate cell growth, tissue repair, new collagen and elastin production. This Platelet Rich Plasma takes more than 50 percent of our blood’s volume, and it is filled with growth factors that stimulate stem cells.
How it works
Once a vial of blood is collected from the patient, the doctor or physician uses centrifugation to separate the concentrated platelets from the rest of the blood. The concentrated plasma, which is now the platelet rich plasma, is used to rejuvenate the skin, either on its own or by combining it with other treatments.
Benefits of Using Platelet Rich Plasma
PRP is a natural aesthetic treatment simply because it’s derived from your own body. This means that the chances of an allergic reaction or rejection are very minimal.
It is fairly safe. PRP has been in use since the 1970s for medical purposes especially when it comes to wound healing in sports, and it is highly recommended because of its natural elements.
Provides overall rejuvenation for the skin, even on hard-to-reach areas like dark circles.
By stimulating the generation of collagen and elastin for the skin, it gives dull, dry and lax skin new life.
The results of a PRP treatment are long-lasting. Although it takes a few sessions, about 3 depending on what you want to rejuvenate, the results can last for up to two years. This also depends on the patient’s lifestyle.
Skin Treatments Combined with PRP
Microneedling with PRP
Microneedling is a skin rejuvenation treatment that works by delivering controlled and targeted micro-injuries to the skin. Immediately, the skin starts a repair process to heal these injuries, and as a result regenerates more collagen for this process. This collagen regeneration increases the elasticity of the skin hence drastically reducing sagginess, fine lines, and acne scarring just to name a few.
Combined with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), Microneedling speeds up the healing process while at the same time rejuvenating the skin and shaving years off the target area. The PRP for face rejuvenation at King’s is boosted with Hyaluronic Acid to enhance the hydration effect.
PRP and Fractional Laser
Fractional laser is another skin rejuvenation treatment that is known to have a downtime of at least a week. During the procedure, the laser creates micro-wounds on the skin. After they are inflicted, these tiny wounds stimulate collagen production which immediately tightens the skin. When PRP is introduced to the treatment, it increases the production of the collagen and speeds up the recovery by significantly reducing the downtime.
The increased collagen stimulation augments the skin, which leaves it smoother with an improved texture, healthier and younger-looking.
PRP for Hair Loss Treatment
Growth factors that are found in the Platelet Rich Plasma are vital when it comes to hair loss treatment. They aid in the strengthening of androgenic miniaturized hair follicles, which as a result prompts them to produce new and healthy hair, which gives way to a robust growth of hair. The PRP tube for hair loss treatment at King’s has Biotin to boost anti-fall effect.
All the above treatments are specifically available at King’s College Hospital London, Jumeirah branch.
Tel: +971 04 378 9555