What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is blood plasma that has been enriched with 100,000 platelets in a small volume of plasma. PRP is composed of growth factors that initiate a response to wounds for repair and regeneration. The wound healing effect of PRP is well known, and has been used in chronic leg ulcer treatments, tendon and ligament repair, and bone surgery.
The Eclipse PRP allows physicians to treat the site of injury, using high quality platelet-rich plasma with only trace amounts of contaminating red and white blood cells. The growth factors that platelets release to the wound site are:
- FGF (Fibroblast growth factor) for tissue repair, cell growth, and collagen production
- FGF (Epidermal growth factor) for promotion of epithelial cell growth, angiogenesis, wound healing
- DGF (Platelet derived growth factor) for cell growth, new generation and repair of blood vessels, collagen production
- KGF (Keratinocyte growth factor) for growth and regeneration of keratinocytes
- EGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor) for growth and new generation of vascular endothelial cells
- GF-B (Transforming growth factor beta1) for growth of epithelial cells, endothelial cells, promotion of wound healing
The Process
- During a short office visit a small amount of a patient’s own blood is drawn into a 10 mL vacuum collection of tube containing a proprietary separator gel.
- The tube is placed into a centrifuge and spun for 12 minutes to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
- The contaminating red and white blood cells are located below the separator gel.
- The PRP is ready for use according to the clinical use requirements. Yielding 6 mLs of injectable PRP.
Since the components retrieved in the PRP are exclusively from the patient, there is almost no risk of an allergic reaction. Because of its generative properties, PRP was initially performed in the fields of reconstructive surgery and sport medicine; the technique is now introduced in aesthetics medicine with great success.
What is PRP used for in aesthetics medicine?
PRP can be used in conjunction with tissue wound treatments such as skin resurfacing. After a laser resurfacing, the plasma can be used topically to lessen redness and induce increased rates of cell proliferation and cell migration.
PRP can also be used as a cosmetic injection to offer a very natural rejuvenating effect. Around 2 to 3 months after the first treatment, the skin becomes supple and tone, along with a healthy enhanced complexion.
