PAIN EFFECTS:
PRP stands for PLATELET RICH PLASMA. In our blood, we have different cellular and plasma elements. Platelets are important parts of our blood that play a significant role in clot formation. Without them, bleedings would continue and a clot cannot be formed to stop bleeding.
Another significant and important function of platelets is production of growth factors. Growth factors are elements in our body that would stimulate new growth of tissues. Many of pain conditions like chronic lower back pain, knee pain, shoulder or elbow pain are due to ligament or tendon injuries. Ligaments are responsible for connecting our bones together and Tendons are responsible for connecting our muscles to our bones. These are essential elements of stability in our Musculoskeletal system. When ligament or tendons are weakened or damaged, the damaged area can become unstable and cause pain. For example we have a joint in our lower back called Sacro-illiac joint. This is a connection between Sacrum and Iliac bones enforced by scaroilliac and other ligaments. This is a fixed joint which means in this area, the bones are not supposed to move and their stability in their position is essential for proper function. When the ligaments are damaged, this joint starts moving and causes a lot of pain. The feeling of “throwing your back out” is a casual expression of this joint instability.
PRP, when properly done, can expose the damaged ligaments and tendons to the growth factor of platelet rich plasma which is separated from blood by a special centrifuge machine. This would induce healing and strengthening in the damaged area. Strengthened ligaments and tendons would help stability and function as well as pain reduction.
COSMETIC EFFECTS:
Many of the facial skin aging effects are due to collagen damages. Collagen is one of the main elements in our connective tissue which holds the skin and other elements together. Sun light UV rays, our facial expressions, our genes, nutrition, smoking or many other factors may damage collagen and cause signs of aging on our face, neck or hand skin.
It is believed that PRP can induce healing and cause new collagen production in the face, neck or hands skin. This would lead into skin tightening and reduction of skin aging signs.
It is also believed that the use of PRP can induce healing and slowing of thinning hair in hair loss and result in new hair growth. It is now an important part of hair restoration practices.
PRP is not a covered service and the average cost is between 500 to 750 dollars depending on the treated area and the amount used. This treatment is usually repeated three times to get the best effects. A significant portion of this fee is for the standard kit that is used for this procedure. Not using the standard kit would lead into less concentration of platelets and less favorable results.
