Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

PRP or Platelet-Rich-Plasma therapy is currently considered one of the innovative approaches to medical healing. PRP works by smothering those injured or damaged cells in a concentrated mixture that is made from your own blood. This therapy has been shown to have a healing effect on the area that it targets, making it effective for a number of different uses. Most notably, it is used topically for the cosmetic benefits it provides, by injection for hair loss.

We are pleased to be able to offer PRP therapy to our patients, with appointments performed right here at our clinic in Weston, FL.

What is PRP?

In order to understand PRP, you first need to learn about the different elements that are used from your blood.

Plasma is the liquid element of your blood and is made primarily from water and protein. Its main purpose is to facilitate the movement of red and white blood cells through your bloodstream to where they are needed. Meanwhile, platelets are a specific type of cell found within the blood that is designed to make your blood clot in the event that you have an internal or external injury. If you don’t have enough platelets, your injury will continue to bleed until stopped artificially.

​​​​​​​In PRP therapy, vials of your own blood are taken and harvested so that the plasma-rich platelets are separated from the rest. The prepared PRP is then administered in a necessary way, depending on the type of treatment you are undergoing.

Topical PRP

The injection is the most common way of administering PRP, but it certainly isn’t the only successful method. PRP is now also regularly being administered topically, primarily to the facial area. In fact, you may hear it being referred to as a ‘vampire facial’ since the blood-based substance is applied directly to the skin after a process called micro-needling. Microneedling involves the use of a special device that is passed over the skin, piercing it with hundreds of tiny wounds. These wounds are channels that penetrate deeply into the dermis and epidermis layers of the skin. When the PRP solution is then applied to the face, it has faster, easier and more even access to the skin, affecting the entire face rather than only certain sections of it. The entire procedure is carried out using a local anesthetic to minimize patient discomfort, and the treatment is considered safe and ideal for all skin types.

​​​​​​​Platelet-rich plasma has been shown to affect the face by stimulating the growth of new collagen, leaving skin looking and feeling smoother, full and rejuvenated. Many patients report that topical PRP helps them to retain a youthful appearance for longer.

PRP for Hair Loss

PRP therapy has also shown to be effective in treating hair loss. There can be many reasons why someone could experience hair loss. It is fairly normal to experience thinning hair and a receding hairline as we get older. However, an unhealthy lifestyle and dealing with stress can also contribute to hair loss. There are also many medical conditions that have hair loss as a side effect. Whatever the reason for your hair loss, PRP therapy can help. This three-step medical treatment involves injecting platelet-rich plasma directly into the areas of the scalp where hair needs to be stimulated to grow. This stimulates natural hair growth by increasing blood supply to the hair follicle and increasing the thickness of the hair shaft.

​​​​​​​Most PRP therapy will require the patient to undergo three treatments which are based four to six weeks apart. Following this initial course of treatment, maintenance appointments are usually recommended every four to six months.