Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains essential growth factors that support healthy tissue. PRP is already found naturally in your blood, and it can be extracted to treat soft tissue injuries, stimulate new hair growth, and improve the vitality of your skin. However, PRP isn’t right for everyone.
At Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics, board-certified dermatologist David A. Bushore, MD, and our aesthetics team use PRP in several ways. We may recommend PRP injections to treat hair loss or to support the healing of your skin after a microneedling procedure.
Before using PRP therapy, Dr. Bushore determines if this type of treatment is right for you by reviewing your medical history and existing health. There are some conditions that may prevent the use of PRP therapy, and in this post, Dr. Bushore explains what they are.
PRP therapy is typically considered a safe and effective aesthetic treatment for many people. Using this minimally invasive treatment, you can improve the appearance of your skin and address:
Treatment involves a simple, in-office blood draw. We then process your blood sample in a centrifuge, which is a device that quickly spins your blood to separate the PRP from the other materials in your blood. The resulting high concentration of PRP is what we inject into specific areas of your face to stimulate your body’s natural healing response.
Over time, PRP triggers the production of new, healthy cells, collagen, and elastin to plump your skin and revitalize its overall appearance. Because treatment addresses the root cause of wrinkles and sagging skin, you can achieve favorable results that are long-lasting.
Because PRP comes from your own blood, there is minimal risk for side effects or complications. However, if you have an underlying health issue, using your own blood for treatment may not be possible.
Here are three reasons why PRP therapy may not be an option for your aesthetic treatment:
If you have cardiovascular disease or another condition that requires you to take blood thinners, you may not be a candidate for PRP therapy.
Blood thinners affect your blood platelets, and you may not get the results you want from your treatment if you need to take this type of medication.
You might not be a candidate for PRP therapy if you have an underlying untreated infection, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis C. HIV and hepatitis C can directly affect platelets which could decrease the potency of the PRP.
People with thrombocytopenia have a low blood platelet count. For this reason, PRP therapy may not work effectively as a treatment for injuries or aesthetic purposes.
There are other reasons why PRP therapy may not be right for you. If you’re not a candidate, board-certified dermatologist David A. Bushore, MD, can recommend other strategies to revive your skin health or address hair loss or thinning.
To learn more about PRP therapy and to see if it could help you, call 512-459-4869 or book an appointment online with Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics today.
