Regenerate Your Skin Naturally with PRP Microneedling
Written by Dr. Jordan Valdez, ND, RD
PRP therapy has become a popular modality in the world of regenerative medicine and natural aesthetics. Let's dive deeper into this therapy and learn about how it can optimize your already beautiful skin!
What is PRP & PRP therapy?
PRP stands for platelet rich plasma, which is a component of blood that contains high amounts of platelets, growth factors, and regenerative substances - all of which are involved in tissue repair and explain its original use in hospital settings to promote wound healing. To give you some perspective of its potency, a typical blood specimen contains about 6% platelets compared to 94% in platelet-rich plasma, which also contains 5-10x the concentration of growth factors found in normal blood!
PRP therapy is a process of extracting PRP from a person’s own blood and infusing it back into certain areas of their own body for therapeutic and/or aesthetic benefits. PRP therapy can be administered by injection (typically used for joints, skin, or hair) and/or microneedling (typically used for skin). In this blog we will focus on PRP microneedling for the skin. Overall, PRP therapy is a natural treatment that stimulates the body’s innate ability to heal and enhance itself.
What is PRP microneedling?
PRP microneedling uses a microneedling pen to create micro-injuries in the skin and drive in platelet-rich plasma directly to deeper cells. This causes the body to upregulate collagen production to promote healing and regeneration in the “injured” skin, which can help fade scars, smooth fine lines/wrinkles, and improve overall vitality of skin texture, tone, and color. PRP therapy supports all 3 phases of wound healing (inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling) needed to restore collagen. In one study, facial skin treated with 4 microneedling sessions, each 1 month apart, showed up to a 400% increase in collagen and elastin deposition at 6 months with continued benefits seen at 12 months!
In the world of beauty, PRP microneedling, often referred to as PRP or “vampire” facials, can be considered a more natural alternative to Botox, fillers, lasers, and peels. Compared to these therapies, PRP microneedling may not provide as drastic or immediate results. However, it has less potential for adverse side effects and promotes a more natural, healthy, and youthful complexion over the long-term. It is considered a safe, minimally-invasive, and effective (with adequate sessions) treatment and the procedure is relatively simple and quick involving only mild discomfort, minimal aftercare, and little to no downtime!
Treatment areas can include anywhere on the face, including the lips, as well as on the neck and chest (decolletage) and various areas on the rest of the body. Common areas focused on include forehead lines, frown lines, crows feet, under eyes, bunny lines, mouth lines, lip lines, chin lines, and neck/chest lines. In general, fewer treatments are needed to minimize pore size and amplify overall vibrancy, whereas more treatments are needed to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, and discoloration. For maximum effect, we recommend getting a minimum of 3-4 treatments to start, each 4-6 weeks apart. Then, yearly maintenance treatments every 3-6 months are recommended to maintain results.
How to get started?
If you are ready to get glowing with this beauty boosting therapy, reach out to the EmpowerMed team of naturopathic doctors today. Our naturopathic doctors are experts in PRP therapy and will walk you through the process while addressing any questions or concerns you may have. We take a collaborative approach to natural medicine and beauty, partnering with patients to help them achieve their unique health and wellness goals.
Contact us today at 760-456-7501 or use our booking link to schedule.
EmpowerMed Clinic is located just off the I-15 and Carroll Canyon within the Fitness Quest 10 Wellness Center of Scripps Ranch, San Diego County, CA.
We serve the communities of North County San Diego, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Mira Mesa, Ramona, Scripps Ranch, Santee, and more.