PRP refers to platelet-rich plasma which is the use of our own blood to promote and encourage the regrowth of cells using a concentration of the proteins in the blood that are responsible for cell growth. Blood is withdrawn from the patient and put through a process that separates out the platelet-rich plasma, made up of the proteins for growth, from the rest of the blood. This concentrated blood, the platelet-rich plasma, is then injected back into the skin in the targeted treatment areas. Once injected, it will break down and the proteins will amp up collagen production and stimulate cell growth under the skin’s surface. This process will lead to an improvement in the patient’s facial complexion through the natural process of the collagen production. PRP therapy is used as a treatment for anti-aging, reducing the appearance of acne marks and scars and an overall fresh, youthful appearance due to the increased collagen production that we naturally experience in our younger years.

Platelet-rich plasma treatment has been shown to help with skin rejuvenation, although individual results will vary. Our body heals itself naturally through cell regrowth, with collagen production keeping our facial skin looking young and refreshed. After the age of 30, the natural production of collagen slows down which is what causes our skin to start aging, leading to wrinkles and fine lines. By rebooting and stimulating the production of collagen under the skin’s surface, platelet-rich plasma therapy can naturally minimize the appearance of these signs of aging. PRP therapy isn’t for everyone, so it is best to consult with your doctor or a certified medical profession in PRP therapy to understand the risks and benefits of this treatment plan to know if this treatment will work for you. They can also help manage your expectations for treatment so you can know what results to expect. PRP treatment is not a permanent solution for anti-aging and will require regular follow up treatments to maintain the results.

As platelet-rich plasma is composed of blood withdrawn from the patient receiving the treatment, the risks with this treatment are minimal. By using the patient’s own blood, there is little to no risk of an adverse reaction to the platelet-rich plasma itself. There is a minimal chance of infection at the site of injection, as would be the case with any puncture to the skin. There is also little to no downtime from the treatment due as it is a non-surgical treatment using tiny microneedles inserted only into the treatment area, so patients are able to go about their normal daily activities almost immediately following treatment. PRP is a natural treatment that works with the body’s own ability to heal and rejuvenate the skin.

Platelet-rich plasma skin rejuvenation treatments do not require a doctor’s referral. However, it is recommended that you consult with your family doctor or primary care physician prior to seeking any type of PRP treatment. Your doctor has access to your full medical history and will be able to flag any potential conflicts with this treatment or let you know if any of your current medications could pose a problem with PRP therapy. PRP therapy may not be successful in patients who have naturally low levels of platelets in their blood and your doctor may have access to this information from previous blood work that you have completed for other medical reasons. This can save you money on seeking PRP therapy as your doctor can let you know if you are not a good candidate for this type of treatment. It is also important for your doctor to understand any treatments you are receiving outside of their care to ensure their medical records are kept up to date for future treatment considerations.

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, which uses your own blood to promote healing in the body and can also be used to stimulate hair growth due to male pattern baldness. The procedure involves having blood withdrawn from your arm by the doctor or a trained medical professional. The blood sample is then put through a process that separates out the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood components. Once separated out, the platelet-rich plasma is then reinjected back into the body in multiple locations of the targeted treatment area. Once injected, it will break down and release the growth factors into the body. These growth factors will trigger the natural process of cell and tissue renewal which encourages the regrowth of hair in the targeted area. As this procedure involves the injection of your own blood back into your body, the risks of adverse side effects or infection are minimal. Patients can go about their normal activities almost immediately following the injection, while avoiding washing the injection area for 48 hours. After that, they can continue their normal cleaning and care routine.

Platelet-rich plasma treatment has been shown to be successful in regrowing hair for patients when their hair loss is the result of male pattern baldness. It can be used as a complementary treatment to hair transplant procedures or can be used as a standalone treatment to promote the regrowth of hair as well as being used to thicken existing hair. Patients who experience complex problems related to baldness may require regular PRP treatments for a period of four to six months in order to see noticeable results. PRP therapy is not a permanent solution to hair loss and all patients will require regular treatment for optimal results from the treatment. Like any other treatment, individual results will vary based on the unique case of each patient. Consultation with a doctor trained and experienced with PRP therapy will help to determine if you are a potential candidate for this treatment and what you can expect as far as the procedure itself and the end results.

Individual results from PRP treatments will vary, however most patients will start to see results roughly six months after starting treatment. Regular injections of platelet-rich plasma are required, usually every few weeks depending on the individual situation, over the course of the first few months in order for noticeable results to be visible by the six-month mark. After the initial round of injections, follow up treatments will be required at least once a year to maintain the results over the long-term. Hair loss is a natural part of aging, particularly in men, so hair loss will still occur even with continued treatment through PRP therapy or any other form of hair loss treatment. Your doctor can help you to understand the risks and benefits of PRP treatment as well as manage your expectations as far as the results you can expect to see.

PRP hair regrowth treatment does not require a referral from your family doctor or primary care physician however you should consult with your doctor about your interest in pursuing this as a treatment. Your doctor will be able to flag any potential issues they think you should consider based on your medical history. The doctor who performs the PRP therapy will also want to be aware of any medications you are currently taking and any medical conditions you may have that could impact your treatment plan. So while it isn’t necessary to have a referral, it is a good idea to ensure there is open communication between your primary care physician and the doctor who will be performing the PRP therapy so that your medical history is completely up to date with all treatment plans noted down.