Microneedling with the addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) allows you to heal yourself even more effectively, dermatologists say.
First the microneedling process uses small needles to create micro injuries to stimulate your body’s natural wound healing process and encourage collagen and elastin production.
Adding platelet-rich plasma, which is a therapeutic equal to stem cells, speeds up the rejuvenation process. A small sample of your blood it taken and then spun in a centrifuge to separate the plasma from the platelets, which help blood clot.
The concentration of platelets is higher than that in other components of blood in PRP.
PRP therapy not only has become a popular dermatological tool, but is being used in orthopedics, sports medicine and surgery.
For your face, the combination has proven effective for treating:
- Acne scars
- Uneven skin tone
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Sun spots
- Surgical scars
- Hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin)
- Sun damage
- Large pores
During the treatment, a practitioner will apply a topical anesthetic to your face and then use a microneedling pen or derma-roller to prick the skin to stimulate its natural healing process while creating channels for the PRP. The PRP will be massaged into the treated areas of your skin to encourage collagens production and cell reproduction.
A balm will be applied to your face to reduce redness and irritation. The entire treatment takes about 2 hours. There may be some soreness and tenderness immediately after the procedure and some mild bruising. However, patients usually can go back to work the next day; any bruising should clear within four to five days.
While your skin starts to benefit from the treatment almost immediately, it could take several weeks to see visible improvements, depending on your skin condition and what outcome you desire. Experts say consistency is vital and recommend both women and men undergo several treatments spaced a few week apart. Correcting more several skin conditions could take longer.
Cost varies depending on location and provider, but treatments can run around $750 per session.
Of course you will consult with a professional, but know that this treatment in rare cases can introduce bacteria in the skin, causing an infection.
It also may cause cold sores from herpes simplex virus.
