Everything You Need to Know About Organic Cosmetic Products and Their Benefits

A DIFFERENT CONCEPT

PRP is a completely different concept to current mainstream Cosmetic Treatments such as Anti Wrinkle Treatments and Fillers. PRP differs in several ways:

• It does not give an instant result. It may take several weeks for the effects of PRP to become apparent

• Its effects last longer. While the effects may take several weeks to develop, they last longer than Anti Wrinkle Treatments or Fillers

• It is natural and harmless. PRP is made from a sample of your own blood, without any additives, so there is no risk of allergic reactions

HOW IT WORKS

Platelets are fragments of cells in the blood that are integral part of forming clots (“scabs”), which stop bleeding and allow healing. However, they have another vital role in healing. They contain chemicals called “growth factors”, which have been shown to cause cells to multiply and form new tissue.

PRP contains a much higher concentration of platelets than normal blood. This means that higher concentration of growth factors are being released into the treated area. This process accelerates and enhances healing and tissue rejuvenation.

THE TREATMENT

A nurse will take your blood (like a normal blood test), which will then be spun in a centrifuge ( a machine which separates the blood into its various components). The bottom layer contains most of the red blood cells, while the top layer is mostly plasma and platelets. This top layer is the PRP.

The top layer is taken out, and the rest discarded. The area to be treated is washed and a local anaesthetic cream is applied. This whole process takes about 1 hour (per treatment). The skin is then washed again and is now ready for PRP to be injected directly into the area to be treated.

BEFORE PRP TREATMENT

Prior to the treatment, there are several things you should do to maximise the quality of the PRP taken from your blood. For at least a week prior to the treatment, you shouldn’t smoke, drink alcohol or caffeine, or eat particularly fatty foods. It is also recommended that you take advantage of the hyperbaric chamber facilities available at Malvern Health and Fitness (9822 7951). The use of hyperbaric chambers has been shown to increase the number of stem cells in the blood and enhance the effects of PRP.

Anticoagulant medications (“blood thinners”) such as Warfarin, Clopidogrel and Aspirin should generally not be taken during the course of your treatment. Discuss this with your doctor before ceasing any medications.

AFTER PRP TREATMENT / WHAT TO EXPECT

The first benefit described is usually that the skin feels healthier. Patients are often told that they look as if their skin is glowing. Some people experience some bruising in the areas that have been treated. This is completely normal and should not be cause for alarm. The appearance should normalise within a few days.

You should expect the benefits of the PRP to develop over weeks following the treatment.