A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) facial is a cosmetic procedure that involves drawing blood from your arm, separating out the red blood cells, and then injecting the platelet-rich plasma back into your face via microneedling.
This procedure was first popularized when Kim Kardashian had it done on TV in 2013 but what are the scientific benefits of injecting blood into your face?
What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?
PRP Facial Rejuvenation is a leading-edge procedure that harnesses the healing power of platelets and growth factors from your blood to stimulate a stem cell response. These stem cells help you to grow new collagen and blood vessels, repair and regenerate damaged skin, and help slow and reverse the signs of aging.
What can I expect during my PRP Facial?
This in-office procedure takes one hour, and patients can resume normal activities right away. Here are the steps:
The Science Behind the Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Facial
According to the inventor of this procedure, Charles Runels, MD, when PRP is introduced into precise areas of the skin, the platelet-rich plasma provides collagen growth and the regeneration of tissue. Since platelet-rich plasma contains growth factors, injecting the plasma back into the skin through the punctured holes helps speed up the healing of the tissues. This results in smoother and tighter skin, softer wrinkles and improved skin tone and texture.
Why Use Your Blood to Rejuvenate Your Face?
This procedure provides both restoration of the face’s shape and the improvement of tone and texture. Here are a few more of the beneficial reasons to use blood to rejuvenate your face:
- The procedure restores youthful, healthy tone and texture with PRP injection facelift technology.
- Unlike other types of injections, using platelet-rich plasma is natural and doesn’t carry the risk of allergy or rejection—because it’s your own blood.
- The effects of this procedure continue to build over a two to three month period, and last for at least one to two years.
Signs You Could Benefit From a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Facial
If your face shows the following signs of aging, you could be a prime candidate for a platelet-rich plasma:
- Face shape appears droopy as muscle and collagen decrease.
- Skin texture looks worn, tired or loose.
- Fine vertical lines appear around the mouth.
- You have scars from trauma, acne, or chickenpox.
Recovery & Maintenance
If you are considering a PRP Facial, it’s important to be patient as the full effect of this treatment takes weeks to months. More than one session is often recommended. Immediately following the procedure, the skin may appear red and swollen. This will subside over the course of a few days. You can wear sunscreen and makeup the day after your procedure. After 2-3 weeks the growth factors start to work in the skin and results in thicker, more toned skin with greater amounts of collagen and elastic fibers in the dermis. Facial blood supply also increases as vascular channels open up to continue to rejuvenate the skin internally.
Not all PRP facials are the same! For maximum results, it is important that your practitioner perform both injections and micro-needling with the PRP liquid.
