PRP is a unique, biologically active complex based on autologous (own) material, enriched with live platelets, made from the patient's blood plasma, which promotes rejuvenation and lifting of the skin and soft tissues of the face.

PRP-therapy is one of the relatively new biotechnologies. Salons and clinics offer this procedure using various equipment, techniques, prp tubes. The cost of the procedures, the guarantee of the result, as well as the reviews of the patients themselves, are extremely contradictory. The lack of clear information gives rise to a lot of rumors and speculations around PRP - therapy. Not always, even practicing doctors understand what the effectiveness of the procedure depends on, and how the hidden mechanism of this method works.

PRP (platelet rich plasma) - platelet-rich blood plasma. What can be called platelet-rich blood plasma? - this is plasma, the concentration of platelets in which exceeds normal. Normally, the concentration of platelets in the blood ranges from 150 thousand / μl to 350 thousand / μl, which is on average 200 thousand / μl *. Regardless of the author's applications to the method, platelet-rich plasma is obtained by centrifugation of blood tubes, as a result of which platelets are separated from whole blood. Blood sampling from the patient is carried out immediately before the procedure, then the tubes with blood are placed in a centrifuge and rotated at a certain speed. To prevent blood clotting, an anticoagulant is added to it.

* Microliter (μl) is a non-systemic metric unit of volume, sub-multiple to a liter. A liter is equal to one cubic decimeter (dm³), 1000 cubic centimeters (cm³) or 10⁻³ cubic meters (m³). these are the units in which platelets are measured.

The resulting PRP (enriched blood plasma) is administered to a patient.

But what's the secret? and why in some cases the procedure becomes extremely effective, while in others it brings practically no result?

Mechanism of action

Numerous studies have confirmed the positive role of platelet concentrate in tissue repair and regeneration. It has been proven that platelet alpha granules contain a large number of growth factors * (see table), which, as platelets are activated, are released in a certain proportion and sequence. Application of these growth factors can speed up and improve the normal regeneration of skin cells.

* Growth factors are natural substances that can stimulate growth, proliferation (tissue proliferation through cell neoplasm and multiplication), and / or differentiation of living cells (the process of implementing a genetically determined cell program).

With an increase in the concentration of platelets, the concentration of growth factors also increases. PRP stimulates angiogenesis (i.e., vascular growth) and mitosis (division) of cells that are involved in the regeneration process.

During the first 10 minutes, platelets secrete up to 70% of the growth factors they contain. The full release of growth factors occurs within an hour. The platelets then continue to synthesize additional growth factors for about 8 days, after which they die.

Aniticoagulants

Thus, we come to the understanding that it is important for us not only to receive the substance enriched with platelets, but also to transport it in the shortest possible time in the most concentrated and inactive state in the patient's tissue.

In addition, it is very important that the centrifugation process does not damage the platelets or activate them.

You can get PRP only from blood that has not yet clotted, i.e. from blood to which an anticoagulant has been added. At first glance, the choice of anticoagulants is quite large. However, only sodium citrate can support platelet metabolism and release without damaging the platelet membrane. The most preferred for the preparation of the PRP mass is a citrate anticoagulant with dextrose. Citrate binds calcium ions, so that the blood does not clot, and dextrose and buffers support platelet metabolism, they are not damaged, that is, they remain unactivated until they are introduced into the patient's tissues. It is citrate anticoagulants that are used by all Western manufacturers both for ready-made PRP Tubes from prpmed.de

The authors of the method suggest using heparin as an anticoagulant. Heparin prevents blood from clotting during centrifugation, but its disadvantage is that it does not protect the platelet membrane from destruction. Consequently, platelet activation begins in the test tube (and we remember that 70% of growth factors are secreted in other words, for the first 10 minutes), which significantly reduces the effectiveness of the procedure, because the concentration of growth factors that enter the tissues is directly proportional to the platelet concentration.

In other words, platelet-rich blood plasma must be activated directly by the administration itself, that is, platelets are activated by coming into contact with the patient's tissues.

Preparation of PRP mass

To date, it has been scientifically proven that the stimulating effect of platelet-rich plasma is manifested if the concentration of platelets in it is 1,000,000 / μl. Therefore, we call PRP plasma, if the concentration of platelets in it is 1.000.000 / μl, at a lower concentration, the stimulating effect is not manifested. Such a high concentration of platelets is obtained by double centrifugation. During the first roll, red blood cells are separated from plasma and white blood cells with platelets. After the first roll, no true PRP is formed, instead a mixture of platelet-rich and platelet-poor plasma is produced with an extremely low platelet concentration. Regardless of the time and speed of centrifugation, separation of platelets and erythrocytes in one step is impossible.

I would like to note that obtaining platelet mass of such a high concentration using tubes from PRP-sets is extremely expensive and ineffective. As a rule, the preparation of PRP at such an effective concentration is carried out in the clinic under laboratory conditions.

Plasma therapy for the face

As a result of the influence of external and internal factors on the body, a number of changes occur, which are usually called aging. These mechanisms cause a violation of the permeability of cell membranes, which leads to a deterioration in the supply of nutrients to tissue cells and the elimination of toxins. The blood supply to tissues decreases, as a result of which the delivery of useful components through the blood to tissues (skin cells) decreases, which leads to a decrease in the rate of cell renewal. In addition, there is a process of damage and destruction of elastin and collagen, as well as a decrease in the activity of the production of fibroblasts, synthesizing the appearance of new cells, which leads to a loss of skin elasticity.

Such changes in the body ultimately lead to visible signs of aging, such as:

• dull skin color;

• deterioration of microrelief (porosity of the skin);

• loss of skin elasticity;

• the formation of wrinkles and folds on the surface of the skin.

Plasma enriched with platelets contains in sufficient quantities all the necessary micro- and macroelements to effectively combat all signs of skin aging.

It includes:

• vitamins

• trace elements

• amino acids

• growth factors and cell renewal

Platelet-rich plasma triggers the following mechanisms in the skin:

• renewal and restoration of tissues;

• microcirculation renewal;

• stimulation of stem cell mechanisms (skin's own stem cells)

• stimulation of fibroblasts and collagen production

• accelerating healing processes, reducing pain and reducing the recovery time after injections and surgery.

PRP is used for:

• healing and rejuvenation of the skin;

• correction of wrinkles and folds;

• scar treatment;

• recovery after surgery;

• non-hormone dependent hair loss

A significant advantage of the method is the autology of the drug used - the drug is not of foreign origin, but is prepared from the patient's own blood. It is a product of natural origin and has no risk of rejection, does not cause allergic reactions.

Plasma therapy for hair

During the procedure, the doctor receives platelet-rich plasma and injects it pointwise into the scalp.

Platelets contain growth factors that have a wide range of biological effects. They regulate the functioning of hair follicles, stimulate hair growth and activate local blood circulation. PRP allows you to speed up metabolism, promotes cell renewal, relieves inflammation and starts regeneration processes.

As a result, hair loss stops and new healthy hair begins to grow.

The course consists of three procedures, which are carried out once a month, carried out 2 times a year to achieve the maximum effect.

PRP therapy after plastic surgery

To date, a large clinical experience has been accumulated, confirming the high efficiency of the use of PRP in plastic surgery.

PRP therapy after facelift, rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty accelerates the process of tissue regeneration and repair.

Against the background of the use of PRP, swelling, inflammation subside faster, ecchymosis (bruises) decrease, and the severity of the pain reaction decreases.

As a result, the rehabilitation process is easier and faster.

PRP therapy improves fat graft engraftment during lipofilling. The transplanted fat cells experience a lack of oxygen for the first time after injection. Platelets contain growth factors that stimulate the growth of new capillaries and improve local blood circulation. Thanks to this, the engraftment of the transplanted fat is significantly improved and the volume of administration is preserved.

After plastic surgery, including after lipofilling, it is recommended to undergo the first procedure within ten days after surgery. In total, the course consists of 3 procedures, which take place at

intervals of 3-4 weeks.

Stages of the procedure prp therapy

Extraction of blood - collection of venous blood into special PRP tubes (extraction) with anticoagulant

Centrifugation - single centrifugation at automatically set speeds for 8 minutes

Fractionation - fractions obtained after centrifugation of blood are separated using a patented plasma transfer device and transferred to fractional tubes

Plasma activation - isolated fractions of PRP and PPP are activated using a patented activator just before injections.

Microinjections - injection of PRP and PPP fractions directly into the affected areas.

Of particular importance is the modern equipment on which the procedure is carried out. It allows you to preserve the healing properties of plasma unchanged, platelets after processing remain intact due to a special method of sampling the material, its movement and centrifugation.

High-tech cannulas and needles make it possible to inject the drug almost painlessly.

How many procedures are needed for a visible result of plasma therapy?

To maintain the optimal result, it is necessary to conduct a course consisting of 2-3 procedures with an interval of 1 month. The annual course gives a long-lasting anti-aging effect. The PRP injection course is combined with any other injection techniques. The procedure is recommended for men and women who want to look young and maintain their natural appearance (facial features). In addition, the procedure can be used during the rehabilitation period in patients, after surgery, laser exposure, peelings and other aggressive cosmetic procedures of any depth of impact.