In the past, people who wanted to get rid of the signs of aging, reverse hair loss, or smooth out scarred skin had to undergo invasive treatments or apply chemicals to their faces. But now, new advances in medicine have allowed us to make use of the body’s own healing mechanisms to restore and rejuvenate tissues. At Dr. Park Avenue in Franklin Lakes, NJ, we offer PRP treatment to patients who would like to address the issues mentioned above.
This innovative method involves isolating certain components of your own blood, activating them, and then injecting them into the treatment area. Because we use small needles and natural substances, you can expect a very short recovery period and minimal downtime. This makes the treatment suitable for a wide variety of patients. Today, we’ll examine how PRP injections work and what conditions they can treat.
How Does PRP Treatment Work?
PRP is also called platelet-rich plasma, and it is a substance that comes from your blood. Platelets are the small cells that arrive first at the site of an injury, and they promote blood clotting. When we activate them with calcium gluconate, they produce a type of protein called a cytokine, which contains growth factors and works to produce new, healthy cells.
Since its discovery several decades ago, platelet-rich plasma treatment has been used to address a wide variety of conditions. At first, athletes received the injections after an injury to speed up the healing process. But now, PRP injections are common in both clinical and esthetic medicine. Here at Dr. Park Avenue, we make use of the technology to help you get rid of scars and wrinkles and to stop or reverse hair loss.
Eliminating the Signs of Aging
Almost everyone experiences symptoms of aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin. But not all patients who come to the clinic are comfortable with undergoing an invasive procedure or applying chemicals to their face. If you’d prefer a completely natural approach, platelet-rich plasma treatment could be right for you.
Over time, the body’s healing mechanism slows down, so old cells aren’t replaced as quickly as they used to be. But when we inject platelets into the areas where you have wrinkles, the cytokines they produce will trigger the production of fresh cells. As a result, your tissues will become smoother over the course of several weeks. Instead of aging, you will appear to become more youthful as time goes by.
Getting Rid of Scars
Sometimes, patients come to us because they are worried about scars they can’t get rid of. Even if you had acne or chickenpox many years ago, you might still have small bumps on your face. PRP injections can be an excellent way to get rid of this issue. By promoting the growth of new cells in the treatment area, your platelets can help you achieve the smooth skin you’ve always craved.
One of the best things about PRP therapy for scars is that the results are permanent. Because you’re unlikely to get injured, contract chickenpox, or suffer from acne again, you won’t have to come back to the clinic and undergo treatment again in the future.
Healing after a Facial Peel
At Dr. Park Avenue, we offer a wide variety of treatments aside from PRP injections. While most of them are minimally invasive, they can cause slight irritation. In particular, you might find that your face is red for several days after a facial peel.
By applying platelet-rich plasma to your treatment site after your peel, we can significantly speed up the healing process. That way, you can enjoy your new and improved appearance faster, and you don’t have to spend several days recovering from the session. If you are considering a facial peel, you should ask about combining it with PRP treatment.
Stopping or Reversing Hair Loss
Both men and women can experience hair loss, and it often begins at a relatively young age. Losing your hair can be extremely stressful, so you shouldn’t delay getting treated at your local clinic. The earlier you intervene, the more likely you’ll be able to stop and even reverse balding. Platelet-rich plasma can support your hair follicles and encourage them to function more effectively.
What to Expect During Your Session
A typical PRP session takes around 30-60 minutes, and the patient can leave straight away afterward. Because there is no general anesthesia required and there are no expected side effects, you can even drive yourself home without assistance or go back to work. When you first get in touch with us, we will ask you to attend a consultation with your provider, so they can evaluate your cosmetic concern and determine whether PRP is right for you.
During this appointment, you will discuss your problem, what treatments you have tried in the past, and what you hope to achieve. Then, you and your provider can come up with a treatment plan. Depending on your current condition and your goals, we might suggest that you have several PRP sessions. Alternatively, we may start with one and then make a decision once you’ve experienced the results.
The Appointment
The session at Dr. Park Avenue is quite straightforward, and you won’t have to spend a lot of time preparing for your appointment. In most cases, you shouldn’t take any blood-thinning medication for several days before and after treatment. This is to make sure there are no problems during the therapy and to help you heal more easily. However, you should double-check with your provider whether there are any other requirements.
At the clinic, your blood will be drawn and spun in a centrifuge, so we can obtain the platelets and plasma. Then, your treatment area will be numbed, and your provider will mark your injection sites. After you have received the PRP treatment, you can leave the clinic and go home.
Results
Most people see amazing results after their platelet-rich plasma therapy. Because the platelets need some time to do their job, it can take several weeks for you to experience the full benefit of the treatment. Your provider might recommend that you come to the clinic two to three times within several months, since the results will be more significant if you have more than one injection.
Patients who are treated for scars are likely to see a permanent benefit once their course of treatment is over. For this reason, they won’t need to have additional sessions unless they develop another scar. However, those who came to the clinic due to the negative effects of aging or hair loss will have to return approximately once every 4-6 months for maintenance appointments. That way, the great results can be sustained.
Am I a Good Candidate?
As mentioned, your provider will examine your medical records and history of past treatments before allowing you to participate in PRP therapy. This is to make sure that you are a good candidate and that the treatment is safe for you. Anyone who has an active infection in their face or on their scalp, is currently pregnant or breastfeeding, or has a problem with their blood might need to look for an alternative or wait until their condition changes.
However, you will most likely be eligible even if you have a minor health concern. In fact, many people choose this method because they are no longer able to participate in cosmetic surgery. If you’re worried about your appearance because of wrinkles, sagging skin, scars, or balding, you are likely to be a great candidate for platelet-rich plasma treatment. The best way to find out more is to speak to your local expert at the clinic.
Enhance and Rejuvenate Your Features Today
Millions of Americans suffer from low confidence or mental health concerns related to their appearance. Often, the issues, which include wrinkling, scarring, and hair loss, appear with age. Nowadays, many of them can be addressed without the need for surgical intervention or harsh chemicals. PRP treatment is an innovative method that utilizes components derived from your own blood to trigger the production of new cells.
While the treatment was initially used to heal injuries, it is now also available to patients with cosmetic concerns. The session at your local clinic will only last 30-60 minutes, and there is no downtime associated with PRP injections. Get in touch with us now at Dr. Park Avenue in Franklin Lakes, NJ, and book your initial appointment with our specialists. We will be happy to speak to you about platelet-rich plasma and help you figure out if it’s appropriate for you.
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