What is Microneedling with PRP?
Microneedling with PRP is an in-office cosmetic treatment that is able to help treat many different skin imperfections while rejuvenating your complexion. By combining microneedling, sometimes referred to as collagen induction therapy and platelet rich plasma, PRP, the benefits of each are significantly boosted to give you a refreshed and youthful appearance. Microneedling alone is often used to reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne scarring, wrinkles, hyper pigmentation, acne, enlarged pores, and many other skin imperfections. PRP is a new technique that is used to stimulate the body’s healing process, most popularly in sports medicine to heal injuries. The two methods of rejuvenation joined into one office session makes it a powerhouse skincare treatment. That is why it has become so popular between everyday patients and celebrities alike.
How Does Microneedling with PRP Work?
To understand how microneedling with PRP works, it is important to first understand how each procedure works on its own. Microneedling is a treatment performed in office to help treat various skin conditions, including fine lines, scarring, and hyper pigmentations, by triggering your body to create more collagen. Small injuries, almost like pinholes, are made in the skin with the microneedling tool to the outer layer of the skin. This is the method that stimulates your body’s natural healing process, causing you to produce more collagen. Collagen is the “secret” to aiding in the reduction of skin impurities. It is an essential part of your skin’s structure and supports the production of other age defying essentials, such as hyaluronic acid and elastin. Hyaluronic acid helps your skin to retain moisture and elastin keeps your skin firm.
PRP, platelet rich plasma, is used for many different regenerative purposes, such as regenerating muscles, skin tissue, and nerves. Recently, it has been utilized to give patient’s renewed and radiant complexions. PRP works by submerging cells in a plasma with a concentrated blend of platelets that are taken from your own blood. The mixture of platelets is specially created by drawing blood from the patient and then having it go through a machine known as a centrifuge. This machine separates the blood by layers so the platelets can be easily removed. The plasma is then applied topically to increase healing time and rejuvenate the skin.
Microneedling with PRP uses both of these skin revitalizing techniques to help give you the complexion that you desire. After the microneedling slightly injuries the skin, the PRP helps to increase the speed of the healing process as your body naturally produces more collagen and elastin.
How is the Treatment Performed?
Microneedling with PRP is usually a quick treatment that is performed in the office. The first step is the application of a topical anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure. It takes a few minutes for the anesthetic to sink in and begin to work, so at this time your blood will be drawn. Your blood will then be taken and spun in the centrifuge to separate the platelets and the plasma will be created. After this, your own platelet rich plasma, or as some call it your “liquid gold”, will be ready to be applied to your face. Once you are numbed the microneedling will begin. A small device with a lot of very small needles will go over your skin multiple times. This is the device that will create the small pinholes, or injuries. These tiny pinholes will allow the PRP solution to absorb into your skin deeper.
What are the Benefits of PRP Compared to Traditional Microneedling?
The benefits of adding PRP to microneedling is that it helps to boost the results of a traditional microneedling session. It increases the speed of your body’s healing process and the amount of collagen that is produced. Being able to enhance the results of microneedling without making the treatment more invasive is part of what makes this technique so innovative.
When Can I Expect to See Results?
Many patients begin to see results within the first few days after their initial treatment. Results will continue to become visible over the next six months as your body’s natural collagen production continues. Full results are usually seen at the six month mark.
Are There Any Side Effects?
After microneedling with PRP some patients have reported their skin looking pink, feeling as if it were sunburned, and slightly swollen. These side effects will usually subside within the first two to three days. Other side effects you may experience include, bruising, irritation, discomfort, and tenderness on the treatment sites.
How Should I Care for My Skin After Treatment?
Following your microneedling and PRP session, it is important to practice proper skincare. A regime of mild products should be used until your skin has completely healed after your treatment. Retinols, retin A, and other more intense skincare products can be used again once you are healed and get the approval of your doctor. It is also essential to protect your skin from the sun and wear a sunscreen of at least 30 spf daily.
Am I A Good Candidate?
Healthy individuals who are looking to reduce the appearance of mild to moderate fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, hyper pigmentation, and other skin imperfections may be great candidates for microneedling with PRP. Those with more severe skin imperfections may want to consider more intensive cosmetic procedures. This treatment is not recommended for patients that have any blood related conditions such as anemia. Additionally, if you are taking blood thinners or NSAIDS, consult your doctor, as these should be discontinued before and after treatment.
The best way to know if you are a good candidate is to schedule a consultation with a qualified and experienced doctor. They will be able to assess your skin conditions and talk to you about your desired results to determine what treatment is right for you.
