How Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Work?

How Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Work

Hair loss and skin imperfections are some of the most common problems of UAE residents. For those who want to avoid getting cosmetic surgery or complex operations to fix these skin and scalp issues, Damas Medical Complex provides a platelet-rich plasma procedure that’s a safe and effective alternative.

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?

Platelet-rich plasma or PRP is a type of regenerative medicine that uses the body’s natural healing abilities to enhance the condition of musculoskeletal tissues. The concept behind injecting platelet-rich plasma into the body is that by introducing growth factors to the affected area, the regeneration of damaged tissues will be stimulated, hastening cell regrowth.

Blood sample

But why use plasma?

The blood is made up of plasma, platelets, red cells, and white cells. Red blood cells are known for carrying oxygen, while white blood cells are known for fighting foreign bodies that enter the system.

Plasma is the fluid that carries the components of the blood throughout the body. This light-yellow liquid makes up more than half of the blood content. Aside from the transport of blood components, plasma also helps distribute hormones, nutrients, and proteins to the body

Platelets, on the other hand, are responsible for blood clots. They also contain numerous proteins called growth factors that stimulate cell regeneration.

Platelet-rich plasma treatment harnesses the healing properties of the platelets and plasma. Extracting these components from blood samples results in a nutrient-rich plasma containing growth factors that help revitalize the skin and induce hair growth.

PRP treatment isn’t something new as it has been around for decades. It was just put in the limelight when famous athletes like Tiger Woods, Rafael Nadal, and Kobe Bryant shared how platelet-rich plasma therapy worked wonders for their health and injury recovery.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment Procedures

Here are the steps that occur during PRP treatment:

1.) The doctor will first draw blood from the patient. The amount of blood drawn depends on where PRP treatment will be applied. For reference, a procedure done to treat androgenic alopecia required around 20ml (that’s more than 1tbsp) of blood.

2.) The platelets and plasma are then separated from other blood components by putting the sample in a centrifuge.

Putting the samples in a centrifuge

3.) A local anesthetic will be applied over the treatment area to reduce the pain.

4.) Platelet-rich plasma is injected back to the area where nutrients are needed to stimulate the reproduction of reparative cells. The treatment area can involve multiple places on the skin or the scalp.

Ultrasound imaging is often used with PRP therapy to guide the injection. This ensures that the plasma is injected at the precise location where it will provide the maximum benefits in the healing and regeneration process of the cells.

5.) The platelets will then release growth components into the cells on the treated area, triggering the body’s natural regeneration process. The result is decreased inflammation and improved tissue healing.

Each session of the PRP treatment lasts for around 45 minutes. Usually, patients can go back to their normal activities immediately after the procedure. 

Expect that the effects won’t become noticeable until after six months of regular treatment. For best results, doctors advise attending 2 to 6 sessions, depending on the severity of the skin or hair problem. The attending physician will determine how many sessions are needed to complete the whole treatment program.

After the plasma treatment for hair loss or the PRP treatment for skin, patients are prohibited from washing the area for 48 hours. This timeframe is given to allow the treated area to completely absorb the nutrients from the plasma for maximum effect. After this, resumption of the use of hair and skincare products is allowed.

Reminders in Taking PRP Treatment:

Here are some reminders for patients that will go or have undergone platelet-rich plasma treatment:

  • Patients must disclose their full health history to the doctor, along with prescriptions and any medications they’re taking, prior to the procedure.
  • Since blood needs to be drawn for the platelet-rich plasma treatment, patients must eat a meal before the procedure. Failing to do so can cause lightheadedness during the treatment, especially when a good amount of blood is drawn out from the body.
  • For plasma treatment for hair loss, the patient should wash their hair before treatment. The use of products on hair like shampoos and gels, regardless if they’re organic or not, is prohibited.
  • A hat or any material to cover the treated area of the scalp may be required for protection.
  • Dyeing and coloring can be resumed after a week from undergoing hair loss treatment.
  • Patients may experience soreness, and possibly bruising, on the treated area, two to three days after the procedure. In case the pain becomes unbearable, patients should notify their doctors immediately to ask for medication to ease the discomfort. Patients should avoid self-medication to prevent complications with PRP treatment.
  • Patients must always follow the doctor’s instructions, especially on medications consisting of blood thinners.

Advantages of PRP Treatment:

For the past few years, PRP treatment has been continually used to treat skin and hair loss problems.

Platelet-rich plasma has been found to stop hair loss, reduce fragmentation, and restore the hair’s original luster. PRP treatment can also be administered alone or as a complement to other procedures like hair transplants.

PRP treatment for the face can also be done to remove wrinkles and dark circles to give the skin a youthful and fresh look.

Aside from hair loss treatment and skin treatment, PRP injections are also used for treating acute injuries and boosting post-surgical repair. Platelet-rich plasma has been discovered to enhance the healing process of cells, tendons, ligaments, and joints, so it’s often used for treating Achilles tendon injuries, rotator cuff tears, and tendonitis.

Side Effects:

The side effects of PRP treatment for face, skin, and hair are very limited since the components used come from the patients themselves. The injections are generally safe, effective, and are less likely to introduce complications. The body won’t reject the blood that it naturally produces, so chances of adverse reactions are significantly low.

However, reactions from the injection itself may occur. The risks of infection, nerve injury, discomfort, and tissue damage are relatively small, but they’re still present in every procedure.

Patients should discuss with their doctor any history of adverse reaction to metallic apparatus or other allergies before proceeding with the treatment.

Despite the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma therapy, the result remains unpredictable. There are variabilities in PRP formulations and differences in the body’s reaction to the treatment, so it’s hard to measure the exact amount of blood needed to achieve the desired effect.

Get PRP Treatment at Damas Medical Complex

Damas Medical Complex is offering platelet-rich plasma treatments for hair regrowth and facial skin rejuvenation. Our previous PRP procedures have shown a high success rate in treating mild scars, repairing facial skin imperfections, and stopping hair loss.

Damas Medical Complex is one of the most highly advanced centers in the UAE. We use the latest instruments, machines, and administrative systems to ensure we give the best medical service in the country. What makes us stand apart from the competition is the highly competitive prices we provide on our excellent services. 

If you’re looking for a credible institution that has a long history of successful platelet-rich plasma therapies, then you should contact us at Damas Medical Complex. Start by sending us a query on our available services or by booking an appointment with us online.

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