PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy also referred to as the “Dracula Therapy” or “Vampire Facelift” involves making use of the natural healing abilities of the body to slow down or maybe even reverse the process of aging. It is a revolutionary treatment that rejuvenates and repairs the skin by focusing growth factors right where they are required. The treatment is performed by injecting platelets, harvested from the patient’s blood, into the required area.
Platelets are rich in various “growth factors.” These proteins help heal damaged skin or injured tissues. Injecting platelets into problem areas causes their growth factors to trigger neighboring cells to multiply, which results in repair and rejuvenation of the skin. Generally, about 2-3 top-up sessions are required after the first PRP treatment.
How does it work?
Platelet Rich Plasma therapy is referred to as Vampire Facelift as it involves extracting platelets from the blood of the patient and re-injecting them in areas they are required. The procedure starts with taking a minimal amount of blood from the patient. This blood is placed in a centrifuge and the spinning and causes the red blood cells to separate from the platelet-rich plasma.
Platelets, a component of human blood known to be extremely effective when it comes to treating skin injuries and burns, are then re-injected in the problem area. This causes the skin to plump up, reducing the appearance of any wrinkles and fine lines.
Injecting the platelet-rich plasma into the required areas causes the growth factors in the platelets to get released. They plump up surrounding cells in the area which increases their volume. The platelets injection sends signals to other body cells to rush to the injection area.
One type of cell stimulated by the platelets is fibroblast. This cell is known to stimulate the growth of collagen. Collagen is the protein found in the skin which gives it a youthful appearance. As we grow older, the production of collagen decreases which causes the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. For this reason, treatments that stimulate collagen growth can help counteract the effect of ageing. The pre-adipocyte cell is another cell type stimulated during PRP therapy. This cell helps to contour and fill out any lines in the face by converting into a fat cell.
What can it treat?
The treatment can be helpful in treating various cosmetic problems like wrinkles, fine lines or crepey skin around the nose and mouth, mild sagging or drooping skin on the cheeks or around the eyes as well as crow’s feet. It can also improve the look of mildly sagging or dehydrated skin present on the feet, hands, knees and elbows. It is an effective anti-ageing treatment for the entire body.
PRP Vampire facelift has also been used for many years in ophthalmology, urology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, sports and dentistry and as a remedy for skin lesions, osteoarthritis, injuries related to the ligaments and muscles, pain problems and more. In fact, the success of the treatment in medicine is what caused it to become a cosmetic procedure.
