Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), also known as autologous conditioned plasma, is a non-operative cosmetic or healing procedure that contains concentrated platelets releasing growth and healing factors, and proteins promoting cell growth and clotting in the injected area using their own natural healing process. With PRP therapy, tissue repair and healing process are promoted and accelerated in the wounded area. PRP therapy is used for hair growth in hair transplantation (see also hair transplantation section), tissue healing performing on tendons, ligaments and muscles in jaw and plastic surgery, and reduction of inflammation in osteoarthritis.
What is PRP Treatment?
PRP is an abbreviation consisting of the first letters of the words Platelet Rich Plasma. It is a popular medical aesthetic procedure applied for many different purposes in our country and around the world. PRP, with its ability to stimulate stem cells in the areas where it is injected into the body, activates the stem cells and helps the tissue regeneration process in the application area.
In PRP treatment, platelets, or in other words platelet cells, which enable blood clotting, are obtained by processing the blood. It activates the body’s self-repair mechanism and supports the tissue repair process in case of possible damage. With the PRP procedure, platelets and growth factors obtained by separating the blood can be delivered to the points where they are needed in much larger amounts. Skin rejuvenation is achieved by triggering collagen production in the injection area. Additionally, a regenerative effect occurs in every area of the body. With PRP, it is possible for wounds to heal faster and damage to be repaired in a much shorter time.
Why is PRP Treatment Performed?
PRP treatment is an aesthetic procedure that helps effectively treat problems such as wrinkles, blemishes, cracks, scars, acne scars and hair loss that often occur on the skin due to various reasons. However, apart from its popularity as an aesthetic procedure, it also has the feature of being a therapeutic procedure that is rarely used in other areas (which will be explained in more detail below).
PRP is a highly effective skin rejuvenation treatment. For this reason, PRP application can be preferred to ensure cell renewal in wrinkles, sagging and loosening that occur in different parts of the body, especially between the ages of 30-40.
PRP treatment is performed by injecting plasma containing own blood cells and some factors into the damaged tissues in the person’s body. In this way, it can be clearly stated that PRP treatment promotes the growth of new and healthy cells in the body. The prepared concentrated injection material contains a high concentration of tissue growth factors in addition to platelets. These growth factors accelerate the healing process in body tissues and support faster healing of damaged tissues. Due to these benefits, PRP treatment can be used for treatment purposes in many different areas other than aesthetic purposes.
Factors such as genetic factors, environmental factors, aging, alcohol and smoking use cause cell renewal to slow down over time and negatively affect metabolism. In the tissues where PRP injection is made, the regeneration effect is achieved by increasing the production. Thanks to platelets that have a restorative effect, PRP treatment is frequently applied for skin regeneration. Thanks to PRP treatment, the person has a tighter and brighter skin. In addition to lightening scars and blemishes on the skin, wrinkles and sagging can also be reduced.
PRP is an extremely safe, effective and fast medical aesthetic procedure. Since it is autologous, in other words, the active ingredient comes from the person’s own body, there are no risks arising from donor blood and/or blood products. As a completely natural treatment, it supports the body’s healing process.
PRP treatment is a preferred method to quickly reconstruct the skin after applications such as peeling and laser. PRP treatment may be preferred to reverse wrinkles that appear on the skin due to aging or exposure to harmful UV rays, to restore skin elasticity and vitality, and even to eliminate depressions in the skin.
PRP treatment or application can play an important role in controlling and ensuring the healing of wounds and cracks that occur when the skin is damaged. PRP treatment can be used alone for people with hair loss problems or combined with different procedures to strengthen its effect and gain aesthetically stronger hair.
What are the Application Areas of PRP Treatment? How is the PRP Treatment Process?
PRP treatment can be applied for many different purposes such as skin rejuvenation, hair treatment, wound healing and treatment of some orthopaedic diseases:
- PRP treatment for skin rejuvenation is applied to reduce the signs of aging on the skin. The growth factors contained in platelets increase skin firmness, reduce fine lines and improve skin tone.
- With PRP treatment applied to solve the problem of hair loss and thinning, hair follicles are strengthened, hair growth is encouraged and hair quality is improved.
- PRP treatment can be applied to promote wound healing and reduce scars on the skin. The healing process can be accelerated thanks to PRP treatment, which supports cell regeneration.
- PRP treatment/therapy, used for the treatment of joint disorders, can help eliminate health problems, especially osteoarthritis. In such cases, PRP injection is made into the joint. It helps reduce inflammation and improve joint function.
PRP Treatment Process:
After the decision regarding suitability for PRP treatment is made, some blood is taken from the person according to the scope of the treatment to be applied and platelet values. The blood is centrifuged in a special tube. Following this process, the plasma part of the blood, which is rich in growth factors and platelets, is separated. The resulting plasma is injected into the area targeted to be treated.
One of the important points for the success of PRP treatment is that the plasma to be injected contains high platelets. In addition, the amount of growth factors released from platelets should also be taken into consideration. Because the growth factors secreted by platelets increase collagen production and gene and protein expression in tendon cells. Accordingly, the tissue healing process in the application area is triggered.
Before PRP treatment, local anaesthesia is performed to the application area and the injection is performed using very fine-tipped needles, so no pain is felt. After the PRP session, which is completed in approximately 30 minutes, patients can continue their daily lives.
As mentioned above, PRP treatment can be applied to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles on the hands, face, neck, body and décolleté area. In addition, the PRP procedure can be used to treat aesthetic concerns such as acne scars and blemishes and hair loss. Apart from applications addressing these aesthetic concerns, PRP treatment may also be beneficial in sports injuries, eliminating muscle damage due to various reasons, and treating tendinitis and arthritis problems.
After the injection within the scope of PRP application, temporary swelling and redness may occur in the application area. Ice compress can be gently applied to the area to relieve swelling. It is not recommended to use blood thinners for the first 7 days following PRP treatment. Do not take any medications, vitamins, or supplements, including nutritional supplements, herbs, pain medications, or even marijuana and CBD (Cannabidiol), for the week following PRP treatment unless approved by your doctor.
It is important not to touch the PRP injection area with water for 6 hours and not to apply make-up for the first 24 hours following the PRP injection to the facial area. Additionally, to prevent the risk of possible infection, it is recommended not to swim in the pool or the sea in the early period (first 48 hours) following PRP application. Care should be taken not to take a bath or stay in hot environments such as hot tubs, steam rooms, Turkish baths and saunas for the first 2 days after PRP injection.
It is recommended not to consume alcohol, caffeine or smoke for 3 days before PRP treatment. In order for patients to experience a fast and healthy recovery process, they should be careful not to smoke, consume alcohol and caffeinated drinks for 3 days after PRP treatment.
How to Perform Hair Treatment with PRP?
Within the scope of PRP hair treatment, 10 cc of blood is taken from the person and subjected to microfiltration and centrifuge method. With this process, red cells in the blood are separated. Thus, a plasma material rich in platelet and platelet cells is obtained. This material is then injected into the hair follicles.
PRP can be applied to prevent hair loss due to various reasons and to ensure that new hair grows in place of the lost hair. Hair transplantation is a procedure performed to transfer healthy hair follicles taken from the person to the necessary areas. New and healthy hair grows approximately 6 to 12 months after the hair transplantation procedure. After hair transplantation, PRP procedure can be used to revitalize and strengthen hair follicles.
In PRP hair treatment, since the blood taken from the person is processed and then injected into the target area, there is no risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission. After the application, hair follicles begin to revive and become stronger in a short time. In this way, hair texture improves and worn and thinned hair follicles are repaired. After this process, a vibrant and healthy hair appearance is regained.
How Long Does Hair Treatment with PRP Take?
Hair treatment with PRP is applied in sessions. Each session takes approximately 30 minutes. There are usually 15 days between sessions, although it varies from patient to patient. It is recommended that hair treatment with PRP, which lasts an average of 3 to 4 months, be repeated once a year as a reminder treatment.
How to Apply Skin Rejuvenation Method with PRP?
PRP treatment is a medical aesthetic procedure that does not require surgery and general anaesthesia. Therefore, after the application, patients can continue their daily lives. The skin rejuvenation method with PRP consists of the steps of obtaining plasma by processing the blood taken from the patient and injecting the obtained plasma under the tissue.
PRP skin rejuvenation can be applied for different purposes, such as removing blemishes and cracks on the skin, and eliminating scars caused by aging or the harmful effects of sunlight. Skin rejuvenation with PRP is generally applied to the facial area where signs of aging are most visible. The injected plasma has the ability to activate red and white blood cells. Plasma contains factors that enable skin tissue to renew and repair itself and accelerate blood flow. It also triggers the collagen production process in the skin.
How Many Sessions Does the Skin Rejuvenation Method with PRP Take? What are the risks?
Skin rejuvenation treatment with PRP is generally applied in a total of 3 to 4 sessions at 2-4 weeks intervals. However, the number of sessions and their intervals may vary depending on the characteristics of the application area and the problem to be treated.
PRP treatment is applied by processing the blood taken from the patient and injecting the plasma obtained as a result of this process into the target area. Since the patient’s own blood is used and no external substance is injected, there is little to no risk of developing an allergic reaction.
When does PRP take effect?
When PRP treatment will be effective may vary depending on the patient, the area where it is applied, the problem to be treated and the degree of the problem.
After the first session of PRP treatment applied for skin rejuvenation, brightness and tightening of the skin can usually be noticed. However, these effects fade after a while. After 4 sessions, the positive effects of PRP become more evident and permanent. A period of 2-3 months is usually needed to see the full effect of PRP treatment.
Although the healing effects on the hair begin to be noticed approximately 1 week after PRP applied for hair loss treatment, the full effect usually occurs 1 month after PRP.
The effect of PRP treatment applied for joint treatment usually occurs within a few weeks after the application.
Hospitals Providing PRP Treatment
Nowadays, there are many different clinics and hospitals that provide PRP treatment. When choosing among clinics and hospitals that provide this service, it is necessary to be sure that the procedure will be performed in hygienic environments by expert and experienced doctors.
