I’ve seen a lot of cosmetic therapies come and go over the years. Some work well enough. But others cause more damage than benefits. You just have to look at some aging Hollywood actresses to see the pitfalls of too much plastic surgery.
But right now, I’m working on a cosmetic anti-aging therapy like nothing we’ve seen before. And it promises to change anti-aging beauty treatments forever.
My colleague, Dr. Ron Rothenberg, is a leader in this new technology. He and I were among the first physicians certified in the new specialty of anti-aging medicine. Ron now runs the California HealthSpan Institute in Encinitas, California.
He’s helped develop a way to use your body’s own healing powers to repair and rejuvenate your skin.
It’s called platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy and, basically, it involves having your own blood injected into your face.
Some people call it “Dracula therapy.” It sounds scary but it’s not at all.
PRP smoothes skin, and erases fine lines and wrinkles. It reduces sagging skin around the eyes, cheeks and mouth. And it works really well on dark circles.
It uses natural compounds from your own blood to regenerate skin and revitalize collagen. The result is healthy, younger-looking skin.
And I predict it will soon be the hottest thing in anti-aging beauty.
Here’s how it works…
A doctor draws a small amount of your blood and runs it through a centrifuge. This machine separates out red blood cells and leaves behind plasma with a high concentration of platelets.
You probably know platelets as blood-clotters. But they’re also your body’s first responders whenever there’s an injury. Platelets attract stem cells to the damaged area. Once they get there, the stem cells multiply rapidly to grow new, healthy tissue.
Platelets also contain hundreds of growth factors. These proteins are critical in key stages of wound healing. They regenerate injured tissues.1
PRP has many more platelets than regular blood does. It can be five to 10 times richer in platelets than whole blood.2 And the additional growth factors from all those platelets help heal wounds at least two to three times faster than normal.3
That makes PRP a powerhouse for reviving old, tired skin.
When PRP is injected into skin it forms a matrix. Studies show it stimulates the growth of new collagen and revitalizes skin tissue. It helps renew the deeper levels of the skin.
Numerous studies also show that injecting PRP in the face and neck revitalizes skin.4
In one study, doctors applied PRP to the faces of 10 volunteers every two weeks for six weeks. After three treatments, the doctors saw a significant improvement in skin firmness and less sagging. The volunteers also felt a big improvement in their general appearance and less wrinkling.5
In another study, a single PRP injection improved the appearance of dark under-eye circles in 10 people. And their eyes still looked younger three months after treatment.6
PRP is sometimes used in combination with other cosmetic treatments. When doctors used PRP on the skin of women after they had laser treatments, the women reported better skin elasticity and decreased redness. PRP also increased the amount of collagen and the number of fibroblasts in the women’s skin.7
Animal studies show that PRP rejuvenates sun-damaged skin. Mice receiving PRP treatments had much less wrinkling from sun damage. The dermal layer of their skin was also thicker, leading to better skin regeneration.8
I recommend PRP treatments to add volume to your face if you’re looking haggard. And PRP can plump up hollow cheeks.
It can also fill in under-eye hollows and decrease puffiness under your eyes. And it reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and lifts sagging around the mouth, cheeks and eyes.
PRP can also brighten your skin tone and firm up your skin for a more youthful look.
The treatments are fast and relatively painless. The whole process takes only about 15 minutes in total. And it doesn’t require any recovery care. You may get a little mild swelling, redness, or bruising but it fades within one to three days.
And I prefer PRP to drugs like botox or fillers…
Filler treatments use solid material to fill up lines and skin folds. They usually last from six to 18 months and then the treatment has to be repeated.
But PRP stimulates your body’s own natural rejuvenation. It triggers your own collagen to grow for a natural-looking renewal all over your face – not just where you get an injection.
It takes about three to four weeks after a PRP session to see the full effects. You’ll also continue to improve with time.
I’m very impressed with the PRP outcomes I’ve seen. The result is naturally smooth and firm skin. It reduces wrinkles and creates better skin tone.
In fact, PRP is so promising I’ve added it as a new cosmetic service here at the Wellness Center.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
1. Bennett NT, Schultz GS. “Growth factors and wound healing: biochemical properties of growth factors and their receptors.” Am J Surg. 1993;165:728–737.
2.Dae Hun Kim et al, “Can Platelet-rich Plasma Be Used for Skin Rejuvenation? Evaluation of Effects of Platelet-rich Plasma on Human Dermal Fibroblast.” Ann Dermatol. 2011 Nov; 23(4): 424–431.
3. Anitua E, Andia I, Ardanza B, Nurden P, Nurden AT. “Autologous platelets as a source of proteins for healing and tissue regeneration.” Thromb Haemost. 2004;91:4–15.
4. Redaelli A, Romano D, Marcianó A. “Face and neck revitalization with platelet-rich plasma (PRP): clinical outcome in a series of 23 consecutively treated patients.” J Drugs Dermatol. 2010;9:466–472.
5. Yuksel EP et al. “Evaluation of effects of platelet-rich plasma on human facial skin.” J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2014 Oct;16(5):206-8.
6.Mehryan P et al. “Assessment of efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on infraorbital dark circles and crow’s feet wrinkles.” J Cosmet Dermatol. 2014;13(1):72-8.
7.Shin MK et al. “Platelet-rich plasma combined with fractional laser therapy for skin rejuvenation.” Dermatol Surg. 2012 Apr;38(4):623-30.
8.Cho JM et al. “Effect of platelet-rich plasma on ultraviolet b-induced skin wrinkles in nude mice.” J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2011 Feb;64(2):e31-9.