platelet-rich plasma or PRP

3 Impressive Reasons To Use Platelet-Rich Plasma For Healing

Category: Blog

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) For Healing

Have you harnessed the power of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP is a substance comes from your own body and it can be used in many different ways.

Highly trained practitioners may use PRP as a part of stem cell treatments that are designed to help restore torn cartilage or injured muscles. It can also be used for aesthetic purposes, such as those that will restore your skin and help reduce fine lines, and wrinkles. In fact, you’ll find that there are so many proven uses for PRP that it’s hard to list them all!

The Basics of PRP

PRP is a selective component of blood. In fact, the last word in this abbreviation – plasma – refers to your whole blood. Blood is made up of platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells. The platelet-rich part of blood is found in the plasma. Within the plasma you will find proteins, growth factors and other building blocks for tissues within the body.

To perform PRP treatments, blood is drawn from the patient’s arm. It is drawn into a syringe with an anti-coagulant in it so the blood does not clot. It is then processed in a centrifuge which spins very fast. When the blood is spinning, the red cells fall to the bottom because they are the heaviest; the lighter white blood cells float to the top. In between, we find the platelet-rich layer, and that is what we harvest for injection.

Since PRP is your own blood, you are less likely to have an allergic reaction to it when it is injected into either your joints, muscles, or skin. This makes it a very safe procedure.

Cellular regeneration and collagen building takes twenty-one days; therefore, the procedure is usually performed at one-month intervals until desired results are achieved.

The side effects are limited as the injections are done with the patient’s own blood. The injection site can be tender and some bruising may occur. So, it’s important to undergo relative rest after the procedure, followed by progressive a stretching and strengthening program specific to the joint injected.

PRP For Joint Pain

If you are experiencing pain from degeneration of the body’s tissues–such as ligament tears, muscle tears, back or neck injuries, sprains and strains and osteoarthritis – PRP can help.

The average number of treatment sessions is 3-6 depending on the chronicity of the injury or pain, and the response to treatment varies, depending on your body’s ability to heal itself.

During your consultation with one of the naturopathic physicians at Bay Wellness Centre, they will determine if there are any necessary treatment protocols that should take place before the injections. While the injection site may be sore and or bruised after the procedure, this usually goes away after 72 hours. A stretching and strengthening program can help to enhance results.

PRP for Aesthetic Uses

Cosmetic uses are one of the most interesting ones for these platelets. Since they have healing properties, they can be used in a facial or as a treatment for acne. The platelets, once they are placed on the skin or injected into the skin, will smooth and tighten it and even make your complexion brighter.

PRP facials are a great treatment option for acne or other types of scarring. By injecting PRP into the scar tissue, we can break up the malformed collagen with the needle, and provide the ingredients to build new collagen in its place.

Many women have tried this therapy, since it’s non-surgical and an natural anti-aging treatment. In addition, PRP can be injected under the skin. It can be used as a natural filler, and will subtly enhance the cheekbones and fill the nasolabial folds.

Men and women who suffer from hair loss have found that PRP treatments can help stimulate the hair follicles, making hair grow again. This prevents the newly grown hairs from falling out, and it means that they won’t have to undergo a hair transplant. Before performing PRP injections for hair loss, some lab testing is required to determine the cause of the hair loss and to be sure that the body has the ability to grow new hair.

Learn More About The Power of PRP