Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can be used to address an array of cosmetic concerns, making it an extremely versatile treatment in aesthetic medicine. From improving skin texture and tone to reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, PRP is a popular regenerative technique that can help restore and revitalise tissues.
Whether you’re an aesthetic professional looking to learn more about the intricate art of PRP injections or a patient seeking PRP treatment, this is the guide for you. Read on to find out how PRP treatment works, the benefits of PRP therapy, and the technical aspects of administering PRP injections in cosmetics.
Understanding PRP Injections
PRP injections involve extracting and processing a small amount of blood from a patient to isolate the platelet-rich plasma and then re-injecting it into targeted areas to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration. The treatment is also known as the ‘vampire facelift’ because it harnesses the natural healing properties of a patient’s blood cells.
Here’s a brief rundown on how to obtain and prepare PRP:
- Initial consultation: First and foremost, the aesthetic practitioner will conduct a thorough consultation with the patient to evaluate their treatment goals and concerns, as well as medical history.
- Crafting a treatment plan: The practitioner will then determine whether PRP is a suitable solution for the patient and develop a personalised treatment plan.
- Extracting the blood: The aesthetic practitioner uses a sterile syringe, typically 15-60ml, to draw a small amount of blood from the patient.
- Processing the blood: The blood sample is placed in a centrifuge and spun at a speed of about 3000 RPM for approximately 10 minutes to separate the blood into its different components; red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
- Isolating the platelet-rich plasma: Using a sterile pipette or syringe, the practitioner then isolates platelets from the plasma and other blood components to create a highly concentrated layer of platelets.
- Injecting the PRP: The practitioner injects the concentrated platelets into the patient’s skin, targeting the specific treatment area.
- Post-treatment care: PRP patients may experience minor side effects such as mild redness, swelling, or bruising, which usually subside within a few days. To aid the healing process and achieve the best results, the practitioner will then provide specific aftercare instructions for the patient to follow.
How PRP Enhances Cosmetic Procedures
As a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, PRP can be applied in an array of ways, including facial rejuvenation, hair loss treatment, and scar reduction. PRP therapy stimulates the skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin to enhance its quality and appearance, reducing signs of ageing, boosting radiance, enhancing skin tone, and creating a firmer and more youthful appearance.
PRP is also effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, especially when combined with complementary cosmetic treatments like microneedling. By counteracting the signs of ageing, patients will also see improved skin texture and tone, resulting in firmer and more youthful skin. This innovative regenerative therapy can also help treat pigmentation issues and scarring.
PRP injections also stimulate hair follicles to promote hair growth and density, making it a great treatment for hair loss. PRP hair restoration can also be used alongside hair transplant procedures to enhance follicle viability and accelerate healing.
Benefits of PRP Injections
PRP injections harness the natural healing properties of blood to promote tissue healing and regeneration in a minimally invasive and natural way. One of the benefits of PRP injections is the ability to stimulate cell proliferation and the formation of new blood vessels to repair tissue and rejuvenate old or damaged cells.
As mentioned above, PRP also enhances collagen production which promotes skin elasticity and strength. PRP also contains anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce inflammation, provide pain relief, and accelerate the healing process.
PRP treatment is considered safe and well-tolerated when trained professionals use sterile techniques and high-quality PRP kits. As a minimally invasive procedure, PRP treatment offers a revolutionary approach to aesthetic enhancement and is widely considered a very safe cosmetic procedure.
Combining other cosmetic procedures with PRP, such as laser treatments to enhance overall skin tone and reduce pigmentation issues, is a common and sometimes recommended practice as it can elevate results.
Technical Aspects of PRP Injections
Administering PRP injections accurately and safely is crucial to delivering the best possible results. It’s equally as important to follow clear PRP treatment protocols, use the right equipment, and ensure the environment is properly sterilised to minimise the risk of infection.
To ensure patient safety and deliver optimal results, practitioners should be highly skilled and experienced in delivering the most precise and recommended injectable techniques. Some of the most common and best-practice PRP injection techniques include:
- Scalp Injections: These procedures involve using small, fine needles to inject PRP at the level of the hair follicles, ensuring even distribution across the scalp for consistent results.
- Face Injections: Whether the target area is around the cheeks or under the eyes, this treatment involves using a fine needle or microneedling technique for precise delivery.
- Neck Injections: This treatment involves administering small, precise injections to the skin of the neck.
To administer PRP injections safely and effectively, practitioners should be fully qualified and have comprehensive experience. Whether you’re new to the field of aesthetic medicine or looking to upskill, there are plenty of suitable PRP courses to help enhance your knowledge and practical skills. Ongoing education and training in PRP therapy can also help you stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in this rapidly evolving area of regenerative aesthetics. and ensure the highest standards of care.
Managing Patient Expectations
Patients often expect perfection and may end up feeling disappointed if their expectations aren’t effectively managed. Setting realistic expectations by providing a clear and honest idea of what PRP therapy can and cannot achieve is critical.
For example, PRP treatment results may vary, with some patients seeing improvements within weeks whilst others won’t see results for several months. Additionally, the effects of PRP can last several months to over a year, but this depends on a variety of external factors out of the practitioner’s control, such as the patient’s physical condition and lifestyle.
Still, as an aesthetic practitioner, it’s your responsibility to make the patient aware of all these factors. This is why it’s so crucial to conduct a thorough consultation prior to treatment to assess patient suitability and explain potential results and side effects.
Risks and Considerations
As with any aesthetic treatment, considering all the potential risks and ensuring patient safety is paramount. Some common side effects patients may experience after PRP therapy include mild redness, swelling, or bruising. It’s important to make your patients aware of this.
These side effects usually subside within a few days, but if they don’t or the patient experiences pain, swelling, allergic reaction, or infection, you should consult a physician. To reduce the risk of complications, practitioners should administer PRP using the proper techniques with the right equipment in a sterilised clinical environment.
The Future of PRP in Cosmetic Medicine
As we know, PRP can be used to treat hair loss by stimulating hair follicles to promote hair growth and density. Recent studies even show that PRP has a generally positive effect, has little risk, and has few contraindications in patients with androgenic alopecia. Other studies emphasise the effective nature of combining PRP therapy with other cosmetic procedures, noting that both can have “beneficial effects” for “some skin diseases”.
While some studies have brought to light some truly fascinating PRP treatment insights and proven the regenerative properties of PRP therapy, there is a need to conduct higher-quality clinical studies to reveal greater explanations of PRP’s mechanism. Additionally, ongoing research in this area might expand the applications of PRP or enhance its efficacy.
PRP Therapy FAQs
How much does PRP therapy cost in the UK?
If you’re a potential patient seeking PRP therapy, it generally costs between £200 and £600 per PRP session. Please note that the cost entirely depends on the aesthetic practice and the area of treatment.
How much does a PRP course cost?
If you’re an aesthetic practitioner looking to master the art of PRP therapy, the cost of courses can vary depending on the training provider. With Acquisition Aesthetics, our comprehensive Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Training Course costs just £715.
How long does PRP last?
The benefits of PRP can last several months to over a year. Again, the duration entirely depends on a variety of factors, such as the patient’s physical condition and lifestyle.
Is PRP painful?
After receiving PRP therapy, patients may experience pain and tightness around the treatment area for the first 48 hours but this should subside quickly.
Enhancing cosmetic outcomes with PRP
Using PRP in aesthetics offers a myriad of cosmetic benefits, such as improving overall skin texture and tone, promoting hair growth, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. When combined with other treatments, PRP therapy has been clinically proven to enhance their effectiveness and provide better results.
If you’re a potential patient seeking PRP therapy, consult with qualified professionals to discuss the potential of PRP treatments to achieve your cosmetic goals. Or if you’re an aesthetic practitioner looking to undertake training in delivering PRP therapy, take a look at our dedicated PRP course and get in touch to find out more.
For more information about Acquisition Aesthetics and to register for other injectable courses, visit the Acquisition Aesthetics website today. Your future in aesthetics starts here!
Call: 0203 514 8757
Email: contact@acquisitionaesthetics.co.uk.
