VAMPIRE THERAPY – PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP THERAPY), also known as “Vampire Facelift” or “Dracula Therapy”, is based on the fact that the natural healing powers of the body can slow down and even reverse the ageing process, this being a revolutionary healing system that places growth factors in the exact location in our skin, in order for it to heal and repair itself.
The treatment involves platelets harvested from the patient’s own blood in order to inject them into troubled skin areas, beginning with the extraction of a minimal amount of blood from the patient. This is then placed in a centrifuge which separates the red blood cells from plasma with platelets. Platelets contain a high content of “growth factors” – proteins that help the healing of injured or damaged skin tissue. When re-injected, the platelets release growth factors that cause the surrounding cells to proliferate, and they stimulate regeneration, increase in volume and rejuvenation of the skin.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRP
Platelet rich plasma or PRP therapy, also known as autologous rejuvenation therapy is a revolutionary new treatment. It is often referred to by the media as a “Vampire Facelift” or “Dracula Therapy”.
PRP therapy is based on the fact that the natural healing powers of the body can slow down and even reverse the ageing process, this being a revolutionary healing system that places growth factors in the exact location in our skin, in order for it to heal and repair itself.
A small amount of blood is harvested from the patient during treatment, then treated (in a centrifuge) to harvest platelet-rich plasma and re-inject it into the desired area. Therapy is said to brighten the skin, complete fine lines and wrinkles, and give a radiant look to the skin.
PLATELET RICH THERAPY (PRP)
It has been used for a number of years in urology, ophthalmology, dentistry, neurosurgery, orthopedics and sports medicine to treat muscle and ligament injuries, pain problems, skin lesions and more. Due to the success in medicine, the procedure was then applied in aesthetic surgery.
Platelets contain a high content of “growth factors” – proteins that help heal injured tissue or skin damage. When re-injected, the platelets release growth factors that cause the surrounding cells to proliferate, in turn, it stimulates the regeneration and the growth and rejuvenation of the skin.
Prior to the procedure, a small amount of blood is taken from the patient and placed in a centrifuge where the blood is rotated to separate the red blood cells from platelets. Plasma platelets, the blood component, which is known to be very effective in treating burns and skin lesions, is then injected into the chosen area where it fills the skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
When plasma is injected into the skin, the platelets release growth factors. Growth factors stimulate other cells around the injection site, inflating them and making them grow in volume. PRP sends signals to other cells in the body when injected, telling them to hurry at the injection site. A cell that is stimulated during the process is the fibroblast cell, which is the type of cell that creates collagen. Collagen is what gives the skin a youthful look. As we grow older, collagen is produced less and less, causing wrinkles and fine lines of the skin, and therapies such as PRP therapy that stimulate collagen production can counteract this. Another cell stimulated during the process is the pre-adipocyte cell, a type of cell that can turn into a fat cell, which is particularly important to the face to complete the lines and contour the face.
PRP therapy can be used on the face, especially around the eyes, mouth and nose, back of the hands, and throughout the body, most commonly the neckline and even on knees, in order to give the skin a more youthful and radiant look.
Which are the different types of available PRP?
There are now many PRP “brands” for use in aesthetic surgery including Regen, Selphyl, GLO PRP, Angel Lifting and Tropocells ™ (also known as MyCells ® brand in other countries outside of the UK).
What can be treated with PRP in aesthetic surgery?
PRP can be used to treat a many AESTHETIC SURGERY problems such as fine lines and wrinkles or wrinkled skin around the mouth and nose, circles around the eyes and areas where the skin around the eyes or cheeks is loose. PRP therapy can also be used to improve the appearance of dehydrated or slightly ageing skin on the back of the hands, on the top of the legs, elbows and knees. It can be used throughout the body.
In terms of medical treatment, rather than cosmetic treatment, PRP therapy can be used to treat a multitude of problems including osteoarthritis and ligaments and muscle damage. It has been widely used in medicine for a number of years.
What happens during a PRP treatment?
During your first visit to a clinic, you should be told what to expect from PRP Therapy. The physician should discuss the potential issues related to medical history treatment.
The practitioner should take a medical history to ensure there is no cause for concern and contraindications. Then you will be asked to read detailed information and sign a consent form, meaning you understand what the treatment can do, along with any potential side effects.
Photos can be taken by the practitioner for a “before and after” treatment comparison.
10 to 20 minutes before your procedure, your doctor will take 10-20 ml of blood. This is done in a similar way as when taking blood for laboratory analysis.
The blood is then centrifuged in a centrifuge to separate plasma from red blood cells platelets using one of the trademarked described systems.
Any makeup on the skin will be removed, and an antiseptic will be applied at the injection site. Depending on the physician, a local topical anesthetic will then be applied to the skin at the injection site. PRP will be injected into the skin in the desired area with a very fine needle.
A green tea mask with anti-inflammatory effect that soothes the burning sensation that may occur will be applied.
You will then be free to resume your daily activity. The whole procedure usually takes about 30 minutes.
Effects will be seen gradually in 10-14 days; followed by 2-3 sessions, for the effect to last for 1.5-2 years.
How long will it take to recover after a PRP treatment?
The recovery time is minimal, PRP therapy being more like a doctor visit to do a blood test. The actual PRP re-injection procedure involves the use of local anesthetics, although not always depending on the patient and the treated area, rather than local or general anesthesia, which means that most patients feel comfortable and return to their normal activities immediately after treatment or in a short time.
What are the risks and potential complications of treatment PRP?
There are some side effects associated with PRP THERAPY. Immediately after the procedure, you can expect some bruising, swelling and redness at the injection sites. There may also be some sensitivity and pain at the injection site. However, any side effects should disappear within a few days as a result of the procedure.
What should you do after a PRP treatment?
It is very important to follow your doctor’s advice after treatment. Post-treatment counseling could include:
- Use of analgesics to treat pain or pain in the treated area, as recommended
- Use of masks and creams with anti-inflammatory effect
Most patients will be able to go straight to their normal routine after treatment, but if you experience any sensitivity or pain at the treatment site it is advisable not to abuse makeup and cosmetics in the coming days.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Patients who are going to do PRP THERAPY should be in a good overall health condition and should have realistic expectations about the outcome. Most people are suitable candidates for PRP therapy, and it is recommended as a safe treatment for people who can not undergo more invasive procedures, such as a full face lift, due to the risks associated with general anesthesia ( even though there will not be the same results).
Individuals with thrombocytopoiesis dysfunction syndrome, chronic thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, hemodynamic instability, sepsis, acute and chronic infections and chronic liver disease are not suitable candidates for PRP therapy.
Those undergoing anticoagulant therapy are also inappropriate candidates.
Who can perform the PRP procedure?
ONLY QUALIFIED MEDICAL PERSONNEL, PLASTIC SURGEONS, DERMATOLOGISTS, HEMATOLOGISTS or other physicians trained in that protocol.
Summary of PRP THERAPY
PRP therapy is a new revolutionary therapy, a safe treatment and alternative to various other non-invasive aesthetic treatments such as botulinum toxins and dermal filling. It is considered to be a natural treatment because it uses its own cells rather than a synthetic substance.
After treatment with PRP, your skin will look smoother, shinier and youthful.
There are very few risks associated with PRP therapy when administered by a fully trained physician.