Microneedling vs. Microneedling with Platelet-Rich Plasma
Microneedling is a technique used to treat wrinkles and lines and bring a fresher, younger look to skin on the face, chest, and elsewhere on the body. It can also eliminate scars on the superficial layer of the skin, such as acne scars and reduce the appearance of deeper scars.
While effective by itself, microneedling can be further improved by the addition of platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which speeds the process considerably.
How Does Microneedling Work?
Applied by a board-certified dermatologist, microneedling uses multiple small needles to pierce the skin down to the connective tissue beneath, causing small and precisely targeted injuries. This has two effects: it improves blood flow to the affected area and as the body heals the injuries, it produces extra collagen. This will increase skin volume and make the area look fuller, tighter, and better defined, as well as stretching out the skin again to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and scars.
What Does A Microneedling Treatment Involve?
A microneedling treatment is performed in your doctor’s office on an outpatient basis and usually takes no more than 15-30 minutes.
The needles used are very fine, so there should be no pain or excessive discomfort involved and no medication needed. Some patients compare the sensation to light sandpaper brushing the skin.
Afterward, the skin will be reddened and perhaps slightly sensitive, but this should pass quickly, often in less than 24 hours. The skin should look brighter and clearer immediately, and over the next few weeks it will fill out as new collagen forms beneath the skin.
How Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Add to Microneedling?
Platelet rich plasma therapy uses the patient’s own blood, separated out to increase the concentration of platelets. These structures in the blood are best known for their role in promoting clotting, but they also include a wide variety of proteins known as growth factors, which encourage rapid healing and cell growth.
Adding platelet-rich plasma to cosmetic therapy increases collagen growth and fresh blood flow to the affected area, which means less recovery time and benefits that become visible sooner.
Platelet-rich plasma requires a small amount of the patient’s blood to be drawn and processed before treatment.
Contact Calabasas Dermatology Center to learn more about this and other cosmetic treatments available.