PRP
Injection Therapy
What is PRP injection therapy?
PRP injection therapy has a variety of advantageous medical and cosmetic uses, from helping restore damaged skin and treating musculoskeletal injuries to reducing hair loss and dark circles.
A PRP injection treatment starts with drawing a patient’s own blood and processing it in a centrifuge, so only the enriched cells remain. Called platelet-rich plasma (PRP), this concentration of enriched cells contains proteins called growth factors, which are intimately involved with the stimulation of cell reproduction and repair.
PRP is injected into a targeted area—typically injured or damaged tissue, ligaments, or skin—or applied topically to promote healing and rejuvenation, such as after microneedling or laser skin treatments.
PRE TREATMENT
Sun exposure and/or usage of a tanning bed, including self-tanning products must be avoided for a minimum of 24 hours before and after the treatment, and preferably for up to 1-2 weeks to minimize the risk of post treatment temporary depigmentation (darkening or lightening of the skin). Please be advised a treatment will not be administered on sunburned skin.
Avoid Aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications (i.e. Ibuprofen, Aleve), blood thinners, herbal supplements, Vitamin E, and Fish Oil for at least one week prior to and the day of microneedling to minimize bruising risk- you may restart these the day following your treatment. Accutane should be discontinued for a period of at least 6 months prior to and during the course of any microneedling treatments.
We recommend pretreating your skin with Vitamin C, sunscreen, and retinols at least 4 weeks before treatment.
Stop any retinols, topical antibiotics, exfoliants, hydroquinone and benzoyl peroxide products 48 hours before your treatment.
Eat a healthy meal and drink at least 4-6 glasses of water (8 ounces or more) the morning of your treatment. Adequate Hydration is necessary pre and post treatment for optimal results.
If you have a history of cold sores, we may recommend prophylactic oral antiviral therapy in the form of Valtrex or Famvir to prevent an outbreak. If so, we request you follow the directions of your prescription.
POST TREATMENT
Immediately after treatment your skin will be red, have pinpoint bleeding, and will feel like a fresh sun burn or wind burn. The skin may feel tight and sensitive to the touch- some of the most common side effects of treatment include mild redness, localized swelling, and dryness. The following day you may have pinpoint scabbing. The treated area/s may darken and flake away within one week. You will likely have 2-3 days of social downtime post treatment.
- Clean glasses frames, cellphone screens, and anything else that comes into direct contact with the treatment area
- Avoid picking or exfoliating the area and allow old/dry/dead skin to flake off naturally
- Avoid makeup for at least 24 hours after treatment to avoid irritation- only a mineral makeup may be applied after
- Avoid sun exposure until healed (i.e. any skin redness and/or flaking away of skin is no longer present)
- Avoid exercise that causes sweating as well as jacuzzis, saunas, and hot showers until the skin is healed
- Advil or Tylenol may be taken as directed for discomfort
- Change your pillow case and treat your face as an open wound until healed- once healed you may return to your regular skin care routine
DO NOT ICE the treatment area. This will diminish the desirable acute inflammation and compromise your results.
Apply ONLY SkinMedica Recovery Complex or Obagi Rebalance post procedure for 7 days, beginning the evening of your procedure.
Apply SPF 30 or above beginning the morning after treatment.
A minimum of 3-6 sessions, 4-6 weeks apart are necessary for optimal results.
DAYS 1-3: A sunburn-like effect is normal. The skin will feel tight, dry, and sensitive to the touch. Treat skin gently, washing with a gentle cleanser, cool water, using hands only and pat dry no earlier than 4 hours after treatment. Redness or sensitivity might be present. Some small bruising and swelling is common with this procedure and may last 5-7 days, depending on how aggressive of a treatment you received.
- Apply SkinMedica Recovery Complex or Obagi Rebalance the evening of your treatment, and then twice daily beginning the day after your treatment.z
- Apply Obagi Nuderm SPF beginning the morning after your procedure on top of Recovery Complex/Rebalance
- If needed, sleep on your back with head of bed elevated to minimize swelling or pain.
DAYS 2-7: Peeling may start 3-5 days post treatment. You will notice skin dryness and flaking. This is due to an increased turnover of skin cells. Do not pick, scratch, or scrub at treated skin. Allow skin to flake off naturally and KEEP SKIN MOISTURIZED AT ALL TIMES with the above recommended products.
DAYS 5-7: You may restart your regular skincare products including Retin-A along with your Post Treatment regimen once your skin is no longer irritated. Many patients have noticed continued skin improvement for months following treatment.