What is PRP? (dubbed the Vampire facial)

This is one of the hottest topics online, maybe due to the nickname? However, we think it is gaining popularity because of the increased research and studies supporting the many applications for rejuvenation and regeneration.

Many famous athletes — Tiger Woods, tennis star Rafael Nadal, and several others — have received PRP for various injuries, such as sprained knees and chronic tendon injuries. These types of conditions have typically been treated with medications, physical therapy, or even surgery, but many feel PRP injections are a better long term change to heal the actual injury.

Many have heard of PRP for treatments of injuries, back pain, joint pain and more...but PRP is widely used in the Plastic Surgery field for skin rejuvenation, to remove wrinkles, diminish scars, grow hair and more.

WHAT IS PRP?

PRP is an acronym for "platelet-rich plasma". Basically a high concentration of platelets suspended in the patient's plasma.

Platelets found in blood contain growth factors; when injected into an area, they can stimulate the growth of new cells, collagen or even hair. It is not new that the fountain of youth has continually been about rejuvenation of collagen. Collagen plumps the skin and gives it a youthful and supple appearance. PRP has been used successfully for facial rejuvenation since 2006.

HOW DO YOU EXTRACT PRP?

It's simple: the practitioner draws a small amount of blood, then places it into a centrifuge where it spins and separates the platelets from the other components of the whole blood. The platelets are put into a syringe to be used for the treatment area.

PRP can enhance healing and stimulate the regeneration of new skin cells and tissue by stimulating keratinocytes and fibroblasts.

HOW IS PRP BENEFICIAL TO ME? First and foremost the blood is from you, so there is no risk of rejection, additionally the results can be longer lasting due to the actual stimulation of healing.

PRP can:

Speed healing time
Smooth/diminish wrinkles around eyes and on or around the lips
Diminish acne scars and marks
Reduce wrinkles on the forehead
Reduce wrinkles on the neck, often in combination with other treatments
Diminish dark circles and bags under the eyes
We can also inject PRP in the scalp to boost hair growth
and so much more...

Results may last up to several years, it does not simply fill the area to plump it, but encourages healing and regeneration. Dr. Merkel uses PRP injections in combination with

• fat-grafting of the face

• to jump start dormant hair follicles that can still grow hair

• and for various injections in the face to stimulate collagen production.

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