What is PRP?
PRP is an injectable treatment that contains platelet-rich plasma from your blood. It has both aesthetic and medical uses.
Platelets are cells containing growth factors, which help your body heal and regenerate following injury. Your blood delivers platelets to an area of damaged tissue, where they help clot the blood to stop bleeding and initiate the repair process.
Extracting platelets from your blood and concentrating them into an injectable form multiplies the natural healing effect. PRP injections can help treatment-resistant tissues regenerate and boost the production of new, healthy skin.
What conditions can PRP treat?
PRP has two main uses:
Cosmetic PRP
Cosmetic PRP helps stimulate the production of collagen, an elastic substance that gives your skin its firmness. Production of collagen and similar substances like elastin slows down as you age, making your skin prone to wrinkling, sagging, and thinning.
Applying PRP after a procedure like microneedling allows it to sink into your skin and trigger extra collagen production.
Regenerative PRP
PRP’s ability to magnify the natural healing effect can be a significant help when treating musculoskeletal conditions. Joint pain, tendon and ligament damage, and other injuries can benefit from better, more complete healing using PRP.
What is the process for harvesting PRP?
To harvest PRP, Dr. Alevizos inserts a needle into your vein (usually in the arm) and withdraws some blood. He places the blood into a centrifuge, which spins so quickly it separates the blood into its component parts.
Dr. Alevizos takes the platelets and plasma (the clear liquid part of your blood), leaving the red and white blood cells behind. He’s then ready to inject the concentrated PRP into your body.
What happens when I get PRP treatment?
To ensure he delivers PRP to the precise location, Dr. Alevizos uses image guidance technology to view the path of the needle as you receive your injection.
Downtime after PRP treatments is minimal, and side effects virtually unheard of as the substance comes from your own body.
The effects of PRP vary between patients, but many people experience considerable improvement. The effects can last for months or years. You might need more than one injection to achieve the best results.
Find out how PRP can make you look and feel better by calling Alevizos Medical or booking an appointment online today.
