PRP is a fast and effective medical aesthetic procedure that can be used to treat many different problems today. To perform the PRP procedure, a certain amount of blood is taken from the person and processed to separate its components. The platelet-rich plasma obtained by processing the blood is injected into the area to be treated. PRP injections stimulate stem cells in the application area, activating them. As a result, it helps to regenerate tissues.
Platelet cells, also known as thrombocytes, activate the body’s repair process by causing the blood to clot. As a result, tissue repair is possible in the event of damage. In the PRP method, platelets and growth factors obtained by separating the person’s own blood are delivered to the area requiring treatment much faster and in much greater numbers than is possible through natural means. This creates a rapid regeneration effect in the application area. Since collagen production is triggered in the injected area, skin rejuvenation is achieved. Wounds heal faster, and damage is repaired in a much shorter time. In fact, PRP treatment can even help couples who cannot conceive naturally to have a baby.
How is PRP Treatment Performed?
PRP treatment is used to treat many aesthetic problems, including skin wrinkles, skin spots, skin cracks, scars, acne scars, and hair loss. The first step in PRP application is to take approximately 8 ml of blood from the patient. After the blood is placed in a special tube, it is subjected to centrifugation. This process separates the plasma component of the blood, which is rich in platelets and growth factors. The separated blood component is then applied to specific points on the skin using micro-needling or local injection methods.
Since topical anaesthesia is applied to the area before the PRP injection and the injection is performed with very fine needles, the patient does not feel any pain or discomfort. After the procedure is completed, the patient can continue their daily life without interruption. Although the effect on the skin is immediately noticeable after the application, the brightness and tightening effect usually subsides after the first session. With continued PRP sessions, the effects, which usually become noticeable after the fourth session, begin to last for a long time. Although the frequency and number of PRP sessions are determined on an individual basis according to the patient’s needs, if four sessions are performed at four-week intervals, the effects last for about one year. It is possible to increase the duration of the effect by repeating the PRP procedure once a year. However, PRP procedures applied for the treatment of scars, acne scars or skin cracks do not need to be repeated.
In the PRP procedure, the blood taken from the patient is processed and the plasma part is concentrated, then injected into the patient without adding any other substances. Therefore, PRP is not a procedure that causes any side effects. Additionally, there is no risk of infection or allergic reaction. PRP treatment is not administered to individuals with active autoimmune diseases, cancer, or blood clotting disorders.
Before and After PRP
Seven days prior to the PRP procedure, patients should discontinue use of vitamin A, vitamin E, fatty acids, flaxseed, fish oil tablets, garlic, and multivitamin tablets, which have a blood-thinning effect. Individuals taking iron supplements and vitamin D may continue use with their doctor’s approval. If any of the following medications are being used: Plavix, Heparin, Coumadin, or other blood-thinning medications, the doctor performing the PRP procedure must be informed. If anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil, Apranax, Voltaren, or Aspirin are being used, their use should be reduced or discontinued prior to PRP. If the patient is taking medication regularly due to any chronic condition, the doctor must be informed.
Before the PRP application, the patient should avoid exposure to sunlight and excessive heat. Alcohol and cigarette consumption should be stopped 3 days before the application due to their delaying effects on healing.
Redness may occur in the application area after the PRP injection. The patient can go home and return to their daily routine after the injection. However, it is important to be careful at certain points in order to ensure a fast and healthy healing process. Ice massage can be applied if swelling occurs in the application area. Care should be taken not to use blood thinners for 7 days after the injection. Similarly, for 2 days after the procedure, the patient should avoid extremely hot environments such as saunas and steam rooms. The patient should rest for 24-48 hours if possible. The application area should not be washed for the first 6 hours, as cleaning the skin may adversely affect the effects of the procedure. Makeup should not be applied to the face for the first 24 hours after the PRP injection. To minimise the risk of infection, avoid swimming in pools or the sea for a certain period of time. Avoid bodybuilding, pilates, yoga, and other intense physical activities that may increase blood pressure for the duration specified by the doctor. Skin care treatments should not be performed for the first 10 days following the PRP injection.