A facial treatment that uses your own blood? Introducing PRP therapy! A popular medical treatment used to help with tissue regeneration associated with joint pain, injuries, and tissue healing after surgery, platelet-rich therapy (PRP) is now often used in cosmetic surgery to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and even textured skin.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
By now, you’ve probably heard of the term ‘PRP’ floating all over the internet, and if you haven’t, let us introduce you to it, and all its benefits. But what exactly is it, and how does it work?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, and it’s actually a form of regenerative medicine. Modern medicine has allowed doctors to harness the body’s own ability to heal itself, and use that capability to amplify natural growth factors and heal tissue. It’s a great non-surgical option for those who suffer from chronic pain, arthritis, joint and muscle strains, or injuries, particularly affecting the soft tissue areas.
As the name suggests, PRP therapy uses the patient’s very own platelet-rich plasma to accelerate healing in the injured area of the body. Plasma is the clear portion of blood, and acts as a medium for platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells to travel around in your body. Approximately 55% of blood is made of plasma, and the main function of plasma is to carry nutrients, hormones, and proteins to the parts of the body that require these components. Alongside water, salt, and enzymes, plasma is also composed of antibodies, clotting factors, and proteins like albumin and fibrinogen. Platelets help to clot blood, and also help wounds heal. Platelet-rich plasma contains a rich amount of platelet that can deliver huge quantities of growth factors and proteins, helping the injured area to heal by 8 times more than regular plasma.
How does PRP work?
Firstly, a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient’s arm. The blood is then placed into a centrifuge, which separates the blood into three layers of red blood cells, platelet-rich plasma, and platelet-poor plasma. The platelet-rich plasma is collected and then injected into the needed area to encourage cell growth. The whole process takes about an hour.
Although PRP therapy is extremely significant in aiding with musculoskeletal problems, it’s also known to be very popular in the world of aesthetic treatments, and is a great facial treatment too! PRP therapy is an advanced technique that is totally safe to be used on the face and helps to reduce acne scars, wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and provide a more youthful look.
When the platelet-rich plasma is injected into the skin, the growth factors and other proteins of the plasma stimulate the body’s natural healing response. Collagen production is promoted, leading to an improvement in wrinkles, fine lines, skin texture, and tone. It can also improve skin elasticity and hydration, which tightens and firms up sagging skin. Furthermore, PRP facial therapy can help to increase blood flow in the area, which can enhance the skin’s natural glow and radiance.
The Benefits
PRP injections can help with a plethora of skin problems such as sagging skin, wrinkled skin, textured skin, as well as uneven skin tones. PRP injections are an alternative option for those who are looking for a non-invasive cosmetic treatment, as PRP therapy can help to stimulate collagen production in the skin, which can considerably improve the skin in many ways. The benefits of PRP facials are:
- Improve textured and sagging skin
- Increase skin hydration
- Reduce hyperpigmentation and improve skin tone
- Reduce wrinkles and fine lines
PRP therapy uses the patient’s own blood, which significantly decreases the risk of allergic reactions or any other kind of adverse reactions, compared to other treatments. In addition to that, PRP injections are non-surgical and require extremely minimal downtime. Patients can resume their normal routine immediately after the treatment. Not to mention, the whole process only takes about 30 to 60 minutes from start to finish.
Furthermore, PRP facials produce extremely natural-looking results, as it requires only the patient’s own blood, and works from the inside out to improve the skin. PRP treatments can also provide long-lasting results, as some patients even report that results last for over a year after their treatment.
Not only can PRP therapy be used to treat joints, facial, and décolletage areas, but it can also be used to treat cosmetic problems in the hands and scalp. PRP therapy can be used to improve skin texture, tone, and hydration levels in the hands. This is to reduce the signs of ageing like sunspots, age spots, discoloration in the skin, and even sagging and loose skin.
PRP is also a treatment that is commonly used on the scalp to treat hair loss. PRP is injected into areas where hair loss occurs, whereby the growth factors and proteins can help to stimulate hair growth and hair density. Likewise, this therapy can also help with improving the overall health of the hair follicles, due to the increased blood flow to the hair follicles. This promotes collagen production and proteins that are essential for hair growth.
Risks Associated with PRP Therapy
As is the case with all medical treatments, some side effects may occur. Although PRP is generally considered a safe treatment, patients should be aware of the potential risks associated with this treatment. Among the side effects that patients may experience are:
- Infections, which can be minimised by ensuring that the injection and tools used are properly sterilised.
- Pain and discomfort, particularly if multiple injections are required.
- Bruising and swelling, particularly in the facial area or scalp.
- Allergic reactions. However, this side effect is rare as PRP therapy uses the patient’s own blood.
- Nerve damage, which may occur if the injection is performed too deeply in the body.
- Lack of results. The results of PRP therapy highly depend on the individual’s own body. Although PRP therapy has been shown to be very effective, results may vary.
Summary
Considered an extremely safe and effective procedure, PRP therapy has many benefits that will not only alleviate pain but can also help to improve an individual’s skin texture and tone, which in turn can greatly improve their confidence. By using the patient’s own blood, there are very few risks involved as there are no chemicals used in the treatment, and significantly decreases the risk of adverse reactions. PRP therapy is a great option for those looking to reduce the signs of ageing, without having to undergo any surgery, or even have to stay in the hospital. Patients can be in and out of the clinic in under an hour, and leave looking more youthful, confident, and comfortable in their own skin.
Where to Get PRP Therapy in Malaysia?
At Dr Alice Medispa, we are prepared to deliver desired results while making your safety and comfort our main priority. Our PRP treatment is among the many treatments offered at our clinic that have seen many satisfied clients that will vouch for our competence. We believe in each patients’ unique wants and needs, which is proven through our development of individualised treatment plans for every patient that walks through our doors.
Our Locations
Dr Alice Clinic
62-1 Jalan Maarof,
Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03 2282 0994
Dr Alice Klinik
Klang 46 Lorong Batu Nilam 21-A,
Bandar Bukit Tinggi 2,
41200, Klang.
Tel: 03 3324 6994
Dr Alice Ageless Medispa
257, Jalan Maarof,
Bangsar Baru
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2095 0458
010 3683521
