platelet rich plasma

PRP is an extract of your own blood that contains a high concentration of platelets, growth factors and bio-active proteins essential for tissue regeneration and healing. Doctors have used it for many years to accelerate surgical healing; repair tendon, ligament and joint damage; heal skin wounds; and help regrow muscle and bone. The same physiological process that aids healing in other areas of the body occurs when PRP is used to improve skin health and appearance.

When PRP is injected into the skin, the platelets release growth factors, which work as ‘chemical controllers’ for tissue regeneration. Many hundreds of biochemical processes occur within the first few minutes after injection – including recruitment of stem cells to the injection site, initiation of new blood vessels and increased blood and nutrient supply which are all essential activities in the regeneration of the skin’ supportive structure – the extracellular matrix. In the weeks and months following treatment these stem cells help to increase the number of fibroblasts within the skin’s dermis, which then increases production of collagen and elastin to repair and regenerate damaged skin. As the nutrient supply, blood vessels and structural elements of the skin improve, this healthier skin looks refreshed, plumper and glowing.

A small volume (15-30ml) of the patient’s blood is collected in the same way as a standard blood test. Using a patented, platelet-concentrating device and a centrifuge, the platelets are separated from the whole blood and are collected in a concentrated sample known as PRP. The PRP is injected into the superficial skin layers using a very fine needle after numbing gel has been applied. Our protocols use highly sophisticated needles and injection techniques, which deliver superior results for patients.

The procedure is minimally invasive. Patients may have some subtle skin redness and injection marks at the completion of the procedure, and there is minimal downtime or recovery time – except for no excessive exercise for 24 hours.

Microneedling can be performed in conjunction with a PRP procedure; The Alocuro PRP protocol uses the platelet-poor plasma (PPP) for microneedling prior to the high platelet concentration PRP is injected with a very fine and short needle. The Microneedling works to prepare the skin to receive the platelets and boost the activation of new cell growth.

Immediately after the procedure, the injected area will feel tighter, and lines/wrinkles will appear minimised. This degree of skin tightening will not last, and will return more to normal after 4 days. However, the PRP will be working under the skin to make new cells and improve the subsurface layers of the skin. This is not an immediate process and the more pronounced effects can be seen 6 weeks after the procedure. Most patients report the improvements lasting for 1 year.

PRP injections are safe. The procedure is provided under stringent guidelines to provide a medical procedure with minimal risk of complications. There is also little chance of a reaction because there are no foreign substances used in the treatment. In Australia, PRP procedures and Medical Devices are regulated by the TGA, to improve safety for patients.

Alocuro Pro-PRP devices are TGA-approved, point-of-care medical devices for the purposes of collecting a high concentration of platelets from a patient’s blood sample. The system offers an average of 94% platelet collection efficiency to ensure that the PRP being injected is as ‘pure’ and ‘concentrated’ as possible.

PRP skin rejuvenation is suitable for all skin colours, ages and types. It is always best to discuss the use of any medical therapy with Dr Sarah as they will be the best person to advise whether PRP may be of benefit to you.

Best results are achieved by a series of 3 treatments at 4 or 6 week intervals initially and then 6 monthly or yearly thereafter, depending on the patient’s age and skin condition. The yearly ‘maintenance’ treatment is required because even though the skin has been rejuvenated to improve health and make it more youthful, the degenerative processes that cause ageing do not stop, so ‘top-up’ PRP is required to sustain the regenerative benefits.

The under-eye area is a difficult area to treat and improve with the current aesthetic services available. This is an area where PRP really excels as the whole under-eye area can be safely treated as well as the upper lid to improve fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and also thicken the crepey under-eye skin.