As scientific and medical breakthroughs occur, the discoveries oftentimes lead to a variety of other developments. While the initial discovery of something may have a specific application or intended use, there are benefits or functions that may be enjoyed by other industries or for other uses. One well-known example is memory foam, originally designed by NASA to improve seat cushioning and crash protection for airline pilots and passengers¹. It has since become a common household item used in mattresses, mattress toppers, and pillows. Similarly, Platelet Rich Plasma, commonly referred to as PRP, has emerged as a versatile medical therapy with many uses.
A Brief History of Platelet Rich Plasma
Back in the 1970’s Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) was first discovered and used for transfusions for patients who had a low platelet count in their blood. Since its first use for transfusions, PRP has become widely used. It is now used to aid recovery in surgery patients because of its ability to help wounds heal. That led to its use in bone grafts, fractures, connective tissue repair, and much more. You might be guessing how PRP can be revolutionary when it comes to skincare as it can reduce scarring from burns, acne, surgery, and other causes. PRF is the next generation of PRP that is also derived from centrifuging blood to obtain the PRF. Both PRP and PRF Therapies are revolutionizing skincare and this article will explain a bit more about what each is, how it is being used, and the benefits one might enjoy if they choose to receive a PRP or PRF therapy.
How is PRP Therapy Used for Skincare & What are the Benefits?
When PRP is used for skincare, it is injected into the skin. PRP therapy can help improve skin texture and tone, as well as reduce wrinkles and scars. PRP has been found to be helpful in treating a number of different skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, sun damage, age spots, and more. PRP Therapy can also aid in the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles. PRP injections help stimulate collagen production, which helps smooth out the skin’s surface by creating more volume to fill out those fine lines and wrinkles. PRP is a great option for people seeking an alternative to plastic surgery.
PRF therapy works just like PRP therapy does but it utilizes platelet-rich fibrin instead of platelets alone as with PRP therapy. The benefits are basically identical though there may be some slight differences between how they both affect the body/skin depending on your needs at that time. The main difference between PRP and PRF is that the PRF is extracted from blood using a centrifuge at a lower speed than that used for PRP. This allows white blood cells and some stem cells to remain in what is used for the therapy. White blood cells help fight infections while at a lower and stem cells can help with cellular regeneration which leads to more youthful skin.
If you’re looking to reverse the effects of aging and reduce scars, sun damage, age spots, and acne, then you’ll love the effects of a PRP or PRF Therapy from Flawless Medspa in Excelsior, MN. Because this is a natural therapy that uses your own body’s healing and regenerative abilities, the results take 3-4 weeks to show after the treatment session and continue to improve as the body builds its own collagen. While you can do a single therapy, it’s recommended to do more than one session for optimal results. PRP/PRF Therapy can be a standalone treatment or used in combination with other procedures such as micro-needling to further enhance your results. For questions or to book your PRP/PRF Therapy, call Flawless Medspa at (925) 876-9412.
Source: ¹ NASA – Innovative Partnerships Program