PRP For Skin And Hair Treatment

It’s always great news when a new medical procedure or medicine is developed, but it’s even better when we find something that treats multiple conditions and cosmetic issues. While platelet-rich plasma (or PRP) has been used in some ways since 1987, we’re still finding new ways to use it for both medical and cosmetic purposes. Platelet-rich plasma is a natural component of your blood. When a sample of blood is taken and spun in a centrifuge (a tool that spins vials of blood to separate their particles), the PRP is separated from the other components of the blood. This PRP is packed with natural growth factors that enhance the health and growth of many types of cells depending on how it’s used. At Dermatology Associates of Atlanta (DAA), our providers have had extensive experience with PRP, and today we use it for three main purposes: hair restoration, facial rejuvenation, and scar reduction.Platelet-Rich Plasma for Hair RestorationPRP can help people with hair loss in a few ways. As its own treatment, PRP can enhance the health and size of shrinking hair follicles, slowing or stopping the progression of hair loss. In some cases, the PRP can be effective enough to stimulate new hair growth as well. For patients who undergo a hair transplant, the PRP can enhance and speed up the growth cycle of the transplanted hair follicles, producing results in less time than the surgery normally requires. When using PRP for hair restoration, there are a few ways it can be applied to the scalp. We can either begin with a micro needling procedure to create tiny pathways into the targeted layers of skin and then apply the PRP topically, or we can inject the PRP directly. It all depends on your hair loss and your specific needs.Platelet-Rich Plasma for Facial RejuvenationWhen it’s used in the facial skin, PRP has the benefit of stimulating collagen production. Collagen is a type of natural protein your body produces to keep the skin smooth, plump, and firm. As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen. Meanwhile, sun exposure, smoking, and other factors break down collagen even faster, causing wrinkles and sagging skin. PRP, however, can restore a more youthful look by helping your body produce more collagen. As with hair restoration, this can be done in a few ways. At DAA, we primarily use the Vampire Facelift® or the Vampire Facial®.In the Vampire Facelift®, we inject PRP along with Restylane®, Juvéderm®, or other facial fillers into specific areas of wrinkling or volume loss. The fillers provide immediate rejuvenation while the PRP boosts collagen production for a longer-lasting youthfulness. In a Vampire Facial®, a micro needling procedure is used on the skin to build collagen and create tiny pathways into the skin, and the PRP is then applied topically to amplify the results.Platelet-Rich Plasma for Scar ReductionFew people realize how much PRP can do for depressed scars like certain types of acne scars. At DAA, we often use it as part of our acne scar surgery. Our experienced providers break up the scar tissue that pulls the skin downward. Then, the PRP is injected into the empty space below the skin, often along with either facial fillers or your own processed fat. While the fat or fillers restore the volume that was lost from the acne, injury, or surgery that left the scar, the PRP allows for natural collagen restoration to give the scar a more long-term, comprehensive improvement.