PRP facial: What is it and why is it so popular?
WHAT IS THE PRP FACIAL
Have you heard of the facial? This often misunderstood facial rejuvenation treatment started drawing attention a few years ago, thanks to an ominous snap posted by the infamous Kim Kardashian on her Instagram.
This technique can be a legitimate option for treating a variety of visible signs of aging and improving the overall health and beauty of the skin—and studies have shown it works. Here are a few things you should know about this rejuvenating option.
1. The “PRP facial” doesn’t really describe a specific treatment
The treatment most often performed by reputable physicians—and still typically described as a PRP facial—is actually micro-needling with platelet rich plasma (PRP). The micro-needling technique involves using a device (the Dermapen at Live Young Cosmetics) that houses many tiny needles that create micro-injuries in the skin. This process prompts your body’s natural healing response, increasing the production of collagen and elastin in the treated area to improve a number of skin concerns and give you an overall more healthy and radiant look.
When used to administer PRP, this technique can enhance the skin-renewing properties of micro-needling by supporting skin cell health and repairing age-related damage.
2. The platelets in your blood are regenerative
To understand the growing popularity of this treatment, it’s important to understand why it is an effective solution. Here’s a quick course on blood, platelets, and plasma:
•Your blood is a liquid that contains a number of very small solid components: stem cells, white cells, red cells, and platelets, suspended in plasma.
•Plasma is made up largely of water, dissolved proteins, hormones, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.
•Platelets have an important job: helping clot blood. But that’s not all they do! They also contain growth factors (a group of proteins that stimulate tissue growth), which play a large role in the healing process.
As we age, the functions of our body change or slow down. Over time, the production of helpful elastin and collagen in your skin slows and reserves are depleted, contributing to skin sagging, fine lines, crepiness, and more.
Because one of the main roles of platelets is to support the healing process, a high concentration of them (the platelet rich plasma) can help heal tissues and grow new cells. When injected into specific areas, they act as a matrix that promotes the natural production of collagen and tissue regeneration, leading to a more youthful appearance. It’s also a great option for scars!
The face will look immediately brighter and refreshed, and because of the platelets within the PRP, the skin continues to improve for up to three months after the procedure. A PRP facial can improve facial wrinkles, fill facial hollows, improve skin tone, soften skin texture, and treat delicate areas of the face where the skin is thin. Results can last up to two years and are the most beneficial with a series of treatments.
3. We aren’t just re-injecting your blood into your face!
Despite Miss Kardsashian’s gratuitously bloody Instagram image, micro-needling with PRP isn’t an extremely gruesome experience—and contrary to belief, blood is not simply injected back into your skin.
The PRP used in your treatment is “harvested” from your own blood. After it is drawn, the vial of your blood will be placed in a special machine called a centrifuge. “Platelet rich plasma” is what is left when blood cells are separated out from the blood—and after the centrifugation process; this plasma is packed with a high concentration of rejuvenating platelets. When the vial of blood is removed, it will contain a portion of what looks like regular blood, plus the new addition of a rich yellow liquid, sometimes tinged with red. That’s your platelet rich plasma!
The PRP is usually applied topically after the micro-needling device is used rather than “injected” into the skin. Because micro-needling is a largely gentle treatment using such small needles, the micro-injuries created do not typically bleed freely or for extended periods of time. After treatment, you will notice dried blood and small red specks dotting the skin where the micro-needles have punctured the skin, in addition to the applied PRP. To ensure you get the best results, you’ll leave our clinic with the PRP still on your skin, allowing it to penetrate for a few hours following the procedure.
At Live Young Cosmetics we also directly inject the PRP into the face in some clients as well as administering along with micro-needling. The techniques used will depend upon the client’s particular concerns, age and skin type and is discussed prior to performing the treatment.
4. PRP has been used for many years, both medically and cosmetically
Did you know that PRP has been used for musculoskeletal pain management and cell regeneration for at least 20 years? While cosmetic use has become more popular in recent years, this technique is not a short-lived or over-hyped new fad.
While the positive benefits of platelet rich plasma used in facial rejuvenation are still being explored, studies have shown that PRP does effectively promote tissue remodelling in aging skin. Particularly when it is used in conjunction with other anti-aging technologies, PRP treatments can provide dramatic improvements in some of the most common signs of aging. Clinical trials have also shown combined PRP and micro-needling to be effective in treating acne scarring.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss this exciting skin rejuvenating treatment further.
