by mary schook
In a nutshell concentrated growth factors from your own blood is mixed with a filler (hyaluronic acid or your own fat) and is injected back into the skin. The procedure claims to be the new fountain of youth.
THE FINER DETAILS:
PRP, otherwise known as platelet rich plasma
(described here in Wikipedia) has really been getting a LOT of attention lately. In fact over the last week at least 20 people have asked me about PRP or at least brought it to my attention. Even pro baseball player Michael Morse was in the news for his PRP injection this week. I guess that means it's time to discuss PRP.
I first found out about PRP injections through the media coverage done on PRP and its use to repair injuries on pro athletes. Until a few years ago PRP had been used in place of steroids to help repair ligaments and tendons. No one seems to confirm or measure if it works, but they do know it can't hurt. We'll get into why it may or may not work in a minute.
Then at one of my conferences (2008?) I was introduced to one of the companies that sells a popular centrifuge that separates the platelets from the other cellular matter. They educated me on the differences between the machines and what they do.
According to a manufacturer who trademarked the cosmetic version of PRP injections
The Vampire FaceLift® Procedure™ combines the science of hyaluronic acid fillers (i.e., Restylane and Juvederm), unipotent stem cells, and beauty to provide a custom designer procedure.
This next video is not for the faint of heart. I shows the PRP process in detailed action. As they say don't try this at home kids! (p.s. this video is in chinese, but there are english subtitles).
I love how Dr. Minas Constantinides of NYU breaks things down a bit
more in this article. (I'm too busy and you are all too ADD for me to do that in these blogs).
In addition to this article I have listed some helpful information/opinions:
-Clients and those who have done the Vampire Facelift have stated that they have seen glowing skin, but that they did not experience or notice anything more than a glow. This is because PRP generally refreshes, but doesn't rebuild.
-PRP lifts and injections have been around for some time. It has taken a while for doctors to finally understand that some kind of trauma must be created to cause the growth factors from the PRP to cause your own stem cells to repair and rejuvenate. This is likely why PRP procedures are being marketed to include laser or ultrasound. (Wouldn't the hyaluronic acid and laser or other devices already give results on their own?)
- One thing that bothers me is that the doctors and those marketing these procedures tend to glaze over how the consumer's health and lifestyle really determine the ability to see or maintain any result or outcome. Supposedly the results last for about a year, but then again so do lasers and injectables. At least with injectables you can create a desired shape whereas with with the PRP injections you're only creating better skin.
-Pub Med has one writing on PRP you can
read HERE which shows YOUNG cells do well with PRP, older cells do not respond. In other words you can have a bunch of keys to unlock a door, but you must have the right key! Our cells are programmed to protect us from anything foreign and as they age they get a lot more stubborn!!
Not to brag, but I know the Age Reverse Serum we carry on
msapothecary.com makes more of a difference in the skin without having to go into drawing your blood and re injecting it!
In conclusion I will say I do like this technique MUCH better than restylane injections. It's just up to you to determine if the price is worth it!
Like Vampire movies is PRP more than a fad? Let's just say it's a stretch to call it the fountain of youth.