Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a modern day regenerative medicine treatment. It is used to treat both musculoskeletal conditions (such as arthritis, joint pain, tendon and ligament tears) as well as for aesthetic procedures (think hair restoration, facial rejuvenation, and more).
This quick, non-surgical procedure involves extracting a small amount of the patient’s blood, spinning it to concentrate the platelets and growth factors, and then re-injecting the concentrated Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) directly into the desired treatment area.
PRP harnesses the body’s natural healing properties of platelets. Platelets contain growth factors that stimulate the repair of damaged tissues all while reducing inflammation. PRP injections aim to reduce pain, expedite healing and rescue both skin and hair, making PRP an attractive option for many conditions and aesthetic treatments.
When is PRP recommended over other joint treatments?
Studies comparing PRP to hyaluronic acid and cortisone injections have shown PRP to be superior at reducing pain at 3, 6 and at 12 months post injection.
Additional evidence is coming to light which suggests cortisone injections. It can often cause more harm than good long term because they often cause soft tissue degeneration in and around the affected joint leading to worse outcomes. Hyaluronic acid injections provide cushioning to the joint, however it does not alter the chemistry or reduce inflammation in the joint. PRP proves more beneficial because it provides longer pain relief, natural joint cushioning, and other healing elements all by simply allowing the body to heal itself.
Can PRP really help my hair grow back and make my skin look younger?
Yes! For hair growth, the growth factors in PRP help to stimulate the hair follicles, thereby promoting new hair growth and hair thickness. For facial rejuvenation, PRP is applied to the face using micro needling or injected into a specific area. PRP injected into the skin has been found to stimulate collagen production, improving skin texture and
elasticity. For facial rejuvenation, PRP is applied to the face using micro needling or injected into a specific area. For facial rejuvenation, PRP is applied to the face using micro needling or injected into a specific area. PRP injected into the skin has been found to stimulate collagen production, improving skin texture and
elasticity. It smoothes out wrinkles and reduces fine lines. PRP enhances one's overall skin tone and texture, giving a more youthful appearance.
Is PRP Safe?
Yes. While there are some inherent risks such as infection associated with
any injection procedure, PRP boasts a less than 1% risk of infection. It is natural and safe, because it involves using the patient’s own blood, minimizing the risk of adverse reactions. Other risks include bruising, bleeding or tenderness at the injection site for up to a few days. The injection itself can be painful, but this is often reduced with the use of numbing agents.
Are all PRP treatments the same?
No. Generally speaking, all PRP treatments should involve taking a small amount of blood from the patient, centrifugation (spinning), and then re-injection back into the patient. At Modern Movement, located in Wilsonville, OR, (just 20 minutes South of Portland), we hold our Providers to the highest standards. Recent research suggests that platelet concentration should be between 1 and 1.5 million platelets per microliter. For hair and joint restoration, you want this number to be closer to 1.5 million. For facial rejuvenation, the concentration should be closer to 1 million. Modern Movement uses the most clinically relevant centrifuges and platelet collection tubes to guarantee the correct concentration
needed for treatment. Anyone considering PRP treatment should be wary of “Group-ons” or other “cheap” PRP treatments, due to the fact that not all PRP kits are created equal! Conclusion
PRP is a promising avenue for both aesthetic medicine and treating musculoskeletal conditions.
By leveraging the body's own healing powers, we can now redirect the body's most potent immune system cells to targeted areas. The treatment is not only minimally invasive, quick and convenient, its results are typically long-lasting with many providers and patients reporting positive outcomes.
