PRP/Growth Factors
Platelet-Rich Plasma Filler (PRP) Injections
At Arcadia Wellness Center, we offer the highest-grade Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments for rejuvenation of the:
- Face (known as the Vampire Face Lift or Liquid Face Lift)
- Neck, Decollete
- Hands
- Hair and Scalp (for the treatment of alopecia, hair thinning or loss)
PRP has been used for decade’s orthopedic medicine, dentistry, and reconstructive surgery. In recent years, the benefits of PRP are being used in dermatology and cosmetic facial rejuvenation. It is well documented that when injected into the skin, PRP grows new collagen and therefore softens the appearance of wrinkles. More recent research studies indicate that PRP can additionally have a significant impact on softening sun damage (both hyper and hypopigmentation), scaring (including acne scaring), and melasma.
How do platelets rejuvenate skin?
Platelets contain essential growth factors that activate healing and neocollagenesis within the skin. When platelets are injected and needled into your skin (face, neck, scalp) an immune healing response is triggered within your skin. New collagen is produced which gives your skin a smoother more youthful appearance. Follicle stimulation within the scalp is triggered, creating new hair growth.
The essential growth factors that are traditionally known to play a vital healing role in PRP include:
- FGF (fibroblasts)
- EGF (epithelial)
- PDGF (platelet-derived)
- VEGF (vascular epithelial)
- TGF-Beta (wound healing)
Not all PRP systems are effective at isolating and harvesting high grade PRP. At Arcadia Wellness Center we utilize the highest-grade PRP collection systems that have been proven effective for over 30 years in other areas of medicine. If you are price shopping for a PRP cosmetic treatment, lower cost typically indicates a lower grade PRP collection system is being used.
What to expect with your PRP treatment?
At the start of your appointment your nurse will draw a small vial of blood and then process it through a centrifuge, which isolates the blood plasma (PRP serum) from the red blood cells. The plasma (clear fluid), when properly processed using a high grade PRP system, contains a higher concentration than normal number of platelets and is called Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP.
Once processed, the PRP injections take a few moments, are relatively painless, and requires no post-procedure care or downtime. Mild swelling, redness, or bruising fade within one to three days. The PRP is made from your own cells, virtually eliminating the possibility of negative side effects like allergic reactions. Results begin to show in three to four weeks after the treatment session and continue to improve with time. A series of initial treatments are recommended, spaced four to six weeks apart, to achieve the best outcome. Maintenance PRP treatments should be given, typically one to two treatments per year is recommended to continue collagen stimulation.
We recommended adding a microneedling treatment to your PRP treatment. The combination of PRP and microneedling treatments offer healthy skin enhancements with improved healing. Microneedling using a micropen prior to your injections allows for light resurfacing of your skin and triggers an advanced immune response. This advanced activation of fibroblasts cells is proven to increase neocollagenesis (the body’s own process of producing new collagen).
How does PRP therapy differ from other injections or fillers?
Hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, Beletero) are composed of solid material that fills lines and skin folds. These fillers are indicated to soften deeper lines such as the folds around the mouth area, to plump lips or replace cheek volume. Dermal fillers can last 6-18 months and repeated treatments are required to fill the area again. PRP stimulates your own collagen to grow for total facial rejuvenation rather than individual wrinkle improvement or isolated volume loss. PRP is used for volumizing faces that are beginning to look drawn, to plump out cheek indentations, soften under eye hollows, improve the skin tone, tightness, and texture, and fill in areas where hyaluronic acid fillers cannot offer full correction or natural results.
Restylane and Juvederm can be used with PRP as the two types of treatments are meant for different purposes; they supplement each other to give the best outcome of a more youthful looking face. Recent studies indicate that when PRP and hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers are injected at the same time, the results last thirty percent longer then when injected alone.
Growth Factor Injections for Hair Growth
Often hair loss is caused by hair follicles that are no longer functioning due to a lack of nutrients and oxygen. Growth factor injections can deliver the growth factors that are needed to restore the health of the blood vessels that supply the hair follicles with the nutrients they need to thrive. Once growth factors are injected into the targeted areas on the scalp, hair follicles can become reactivated, stopping further hair loss and improving new hair growth.
Before and After Photos
Microneedling with PRP
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, uses a small micropen with microscopic needles enclosed in a sterile tip. The needle depth adjusts, depending on the area being treatment. When the micropen is applied to the skin, it creates controlled, microscopic wounds that are invisible to the naked eye. The micro-injuries to the skin initiate the skin’s repair process which includes naturally producing collagen to the affected area. Even when the procedure includes no topical treatment serum (hyaluronic acid, PRP, etc) the rush of collagen and elastin to heal these microscopic wounds improves the skin’s appearance and reduces signs of aging. For optimal results, microneedling should be combined with PRP therapy, to enhance new collagen growth, skin and wound healing.
