Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy or PRP therapy as it is popularly called is a totally natural medical procedure performed to restore any damaged tissue in our body based on the body’s own healing process.

Human blood contains platelets that contain specific growth factors which assist in tissue regeneration and healing. Platelet rich plasma means plasma enriched with numerous platelets i.e. more than 10 lacs/ cumm of blood. These platelets are then reinjected into the desired area so as to regenerate the damaged cells of the body.

PRP therapy has established itself to be effective as a medical treatment modality in the speciality fields of oral surgery, neurosurgery, plastic and cosmetic surgery, sports medicine and orthopedics. It has been used extensively in these specialities for the last twenty years with generally positive outcomes and success. In the field of hair restoration, evidence supports PRP therapy as a promising treatment option to promote hair growth. It is a promising non-surgical therapeutic option for those patients with hair loss and those who do not want to undergo hair transplant. It has also gained popularity as a nonsurgical facial rejuvenation procedure, popularly known as the “Vampire face lift”.

The platelets in platelet rich plasma release a multitude of growth factors which have multiple functions like:

1. Increase cellular proliferation.
2. Increase wound healing.
3. Proliferation and differentiation of a wide variety of cells and tissues.
4. Increase blood vessels in a particular area.
5. Increase fibroblasts which in turn increase collagen formation.

INDICATIONS OF PRP THERAPY

1. All types of male and female hair loss. PRP therapy is an adjuvant therapeutic option for both male and female patients experiencing hair loss. It is a non-surgical option for patients who require stimulation of hair growth for hair loss conditions.
2. Facial rejuvenation also popularly known as the “Vampire face lift”.
3. Correction of facial lines and wrinkles such as crow’s feet, laugh lines, lines around the mouth, etc.
4. Under eye area rejuvenation (dark circles and tear trough).
5. Acne scar reduction.
6. Scars like burns and accident scars, hypertrophic scars, stretch marks etc.

HOW IS THE PROCEDURE PERFORMED?

Blood is drawn as though you are having a routine blood test. The blood is spun in a centrifuge and the PRP is separated and removed from the rest of the blood. The highly concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) is then injected into the desired area.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PRP?

1. It is a simple office procedure that does not require hospitalization. 2. Procedure takes only about 1hour. 3. There is no down time and the patient can resume all his duties immediately. 4. We recommend 3-5 sessions at monthly intervals. 5. Results are long lasting and can be maintained with other adjuvant medications. 6. Can be safely combined with other routine treatments. 7. PRP is safe and natural because the procedure concentrates the good cells from your body and injects them directly back into the area where it is needed. 8. There is absolutely no chance of getting a blood infection from another human being. 9. PRP involves using your own cells that are not modified or changed, and it will not be rejected by your immune system.

CAN OTHER MEDICAL THERAPIES BE USED CONCURRENTLY?

Absolutely. In fact, we encourage it and prescribe PRP therapy as a compliment to a nonsurgical approach for those patients who are not eligible for surgery or who want to delay hair restoration surgery. As a non-surgical treatment option, we recommend PRP therapy along with Minoxidil and/ or oral medications. PRP can also be combined with other therapies like Dermaroller for acne scar reduction, BOTOX and fillers for lines and wrinkles and also Lasers like fractional lasers. In fact a combination treatment is specially designed to suit every patient’s need, depending on his/her concern areas.

CONCLUSION

In summary, PRP therapy is a novel, simple, safe, quick, yet powerful treatment in which your own blood can heal you and help you lead a better life.