Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma: What, Where, and How

Jan 31, 2021 | The Healthy Way Newsletter

Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma: What, Where, and How

Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (A-PRP) therapy is simultaneously the safest example of an organism’s self-improving essence and the most accessible tool in mesotherapy’s anti-aging arsenal.

On this page:

Mesotherapy: what it is and what it does

Little, rarely, and in the right place. That is the principle of mesotherapy treatments: a technique going back over 50 years to the French physician, Dr. Michel Pistor. Traditionally, mesotherapy involved injections of complex multi-vitamins, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid into the face and neck to engage your skin’s innate cellular repair functionality.

By creating intense stimulation of blood and lymphatic circulation, as well as cell regeneration, mesotherapy can smooth fine lines and wrinkles, reverse hair loss, and erase cellulite, scars, and stretch marks. Recently, mesotherapy has adopted the use of an autologous injectable: platelet-rich plasma.

The science of A-PRP

Separated blood cells and plasma in a vile.

Plasma is the viscous fluid that carries red and white blood cells through your veins and arteries. Plasma is also rich in platelets: cells without nuclei that are partially responsible for the clotting process. In other words, platelets are involved in forming scabs over open wounds so the skin beneath can heal. Platelets do this by locally releasing growth factors that initiate the process of cellular regeneration.

Your practitioner will take a sample of your blood. The sample is spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the blood cells – your plasma is the injectable – the formula is a part of you, distilled and concentrated. While this undoubtedly sounds poetic, the most appealing part of A-PRP is that, because we make the injectable from your blood, the chance of rejection or allergic reaction is effectively 0%.

What we can do with mesotherapy A-PRP

Signs of aging arise when cells die faster than the body can create new ones. In effect, cellular regeneration is the antithesis to aging because cellular regeneration is the active creation of new cells. So, with precise injections of A-PRP, we can mitigate signs of aging like smile and laugh lines, crow’s feet, nose and forehead wrinkles, everything around the eyes, and hair loss.

The A-PRP solution exponentially increases the number of growth factors localized to the treatment site, which is why the technique is so effective at rewinding the signs of aging.

Hair Loss

There’s a caveat to A-PRP’s efficacy in reversing hair loss: the treatment can be used without follicle grafting only in stages I through V on the Norwood scale (below).

However, meso-A-PRP is still beneficial passed stage V. Post-follicle-graft mesotherapy can help the transplanted follicles thrive in their new habitat.

The image of healing

Your skin will redden and may feel tight or sting immediately after the session. You can take care of the site by keeping it clean and dry. And yes, you can shower.

It’s perfectly natural to see some swelling and bruising for up to a week after each treatment. Swelling and bruising results from the high concentration of plasma and blood cells at the site, making it all the more important NOT to use ice, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or any other anti-inflammatory drugs. Remember: it’s super important to be patient with your skin as it heals.

Most, if not all, patients are great candidates for A-PRP. Start tightening your skin, regrowing your hair, and loving the skin you’re in – book your free 20 minute consultation here.

Forever yours – forever young,
Dr. Elena Krasnov, N.D.