Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) New Jersey | Princeton Plastic Surgeons

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Have you begun to notice the signs of aging slowly creeping onto your face, neck, or chest? You’re not alone. For people interested in fighting back against the wrinkles, fine lines, and skin laxity that come with age, there’s now an easy, all-natural, minimally invasive solution — PRP.

PRP—or platelet-rich plasma—has an extensive history of being used in dentistry, orthopedic medicine, and reconstructive surgery. Now, PRP’s transformative and rejuvenating powers are harnessed for anti-aging skin therapy.

Located in Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton Plastic Surgeons is committed to providing our clients with a variety of natural-looking cosmetic solutions. If you’d like more information about our practice or are interested in scheduling a consultation appointment, contact us today!

What Is It?

PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a natural product of the body. By isolating it from the rest of the blood, PRP can be used to stimulate skin rejuvenation and renewal. During treatment, a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient. This blood is then spun in a centrifuge in order to separate the platelets from the rest of the blood’s components. Once the PRP is isolated, it is carefully injected back into the body, usually in the face, neck, or chest.

PRP can be used to correct a broad range of aesthetic conditions, including:

Wrinkles
Fine lines
Uneven texture
Skin laxity
Large pores
Thinning hair

PRP techniques are used during one of the most popular new aesthetic procedures available today — the Vampire Facelift. This exciting new procedure uses the power of PRP to lift, tighten, and rejuvenate the skin of the face. Our practice is also proud to use PRP to help treat thinning hair.

How Does It Work?

The number of platelets contained in processed PRP is significantly higher than those concentrated in normal blood. Because of this, when the blood is re-injected into the body, it triggers a great deal of healing and renewal within the skin. It encourages the body to strengthen existing tissue, produce additional structural proteins and enrich the area with healing nutrients. Over time, these fundamental changes in the skin result in a healthier, younger looking appearance.

Platelets are one of the main healing components of the blood. They effectively strengthen, restore, and regenerate tissue within the body because of their high concentration of healing growth factors.

Dubbed the “vampire facelift” in some circles, it’s much less ominous than it sounds.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy entails the patient getting an injection of his or her own platelets and fibrin in order to treat wrinkles or scars on the face, neck, and hands. A small amount of blood is drawn and then placed in a sterile tube. This tube is spun down in a centrifuge in order to separate out the red and white blood cells from the platelets and plasma. This plasma sample is now filled with a higher than the normal number of platelets and, as such, is called platelet-rich plasma, or PRP. It is less invasive than plastic surgery, only takes about 20 minutes per treatment, and provides results for up to 18 months!

During a PRP skin treatment, a highly concentrated form of the patient’s own blood is injected into the treatment area, stimulating the body’s stem cells to produce new collagen and blood vessels (responsible for delivering oxygen to bodily tissues and promoting cell turnover), thereby minimizing the appearance of any current signs of aging, and working to prevent the future formation of wrinkles and fine lines.

Why Choose PRP?

PRP therapy offers a plethora of unique therapeutic advantages over other rejuvenation treatment options, and some of those are as follows:

It is a safe and effective non-invasive treatment for all skin types and colors, only requiring the application of a topical numbing cream
There is almost no risk of allergic reaction since the injections are made up of materials from the patient’s body
It can be safely combined with other surgical options, such as a fat transfer, neck lift, brow lift, eye lift, etc.
It enhances facial volume while plumping and filling in fine lines and wrinkles
It can be used in the delicate areas around the mouth and eyes, where dermal fillers, Botox, and lasers are often not as effective
The treatment doesn’t require any downtime, and its only side effects are minimal swelling, bruising, and redness around the injection site for about 12-24 hours
Significant results will show up within 8 weeks, although patients will continue to improve because the collagen regeneration process has been initiated and will last about 3 months
The skin is said to become a more youthful complexion due to the formation of new blood vessels
New collagen formations in the dermis actually lift the face to a more youthful position
The epidermis, or outer most layer of the skin, will appear distinctly smoother
It is an ideal option for older patients who may have difficulty healing from more invasive surgical procedures
Results are long-lasting, with its effects extending from 9 months to 2 years (touch-up treatments will improve this even further)

How Does It Work?

They effectively strengthen, restore, and regenerate tissue within the body because of their high concentration of healing growth factors. The number of platelets contained in processed PRP is significantly higher than those concentrated in normal blood. Because of this, when the blood is injected into the body, it triggers a great deal of healing and renewal within the skin. It encourages the body to strengthen existing tissue, produce additional structural proteins and enrich the area with healing nutrients. Over time, these fundamental changes in the skin result in a healthier, younger looking appearance.

Platelets are one of the main healing components of the blood.

Microneedling With PRP

Microneedling is the insertion of very fine, short needles into the skin for rejuvenation purposes. What many dermatologists and surgeons alike have noticed, however, is that this procedure has even more rejuvenation benefits when combined with PRP. Because platelets are taken right from your body, it accepts them immediately as a healing agent when topically applied. The plasma in the PRP stimulates your cells naturally, causing them to produce more collagen and, in turn, helping your skin to look more youthful.

PRP becomes even more effective when combined with microneedling, as the tiny pinholes allow the platelets to penetrate even deeper into your skin.

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PRP Vs. Other Facial Rejuvenation Treatments

Hyaluronic acid fillers can be very effective in skin rejuvenation but, because they are a versatile and natural material that fills in lines and wrinkles. However, many do not have the long-term collagen stimulation benefits as PRP therapy. PRP is used to refresh skin tone, soften the hollows under the eyes, improve skin’s tightness, texture, and plump out cheek indentations. After consultation, Dr. Hamawy might find that a combination of fillers and PRP therapy would address your symptoms more appropriately.

Candidates

Because PRP comes from one’s own body, the results are natural. PRP treatments are especially effective for treating:

Crow’s feet
Sun damaged skin
Fine lines around the mouth
Dark circles under or around the eyes
Acne scarring
Dull or rough texture or grey skin tone
Crepey skin on the neck, décolletage, and eye areas

People who should avoid this procedure are those with anemia, blood or bone cancers, or those with other blood-related conditions. Anyone considering this should also discontinue use of blood-thinning medication or NSAIDS for a few weeks prior to the therapy and a few days afterward. You can ask Dr. Hamawy more specific instructions in regards to how to prepare.

Consultation

Before receiving a PRP treatment, patients must first schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Hamawy. During this appointment, Dr. Hamawy will examine your skin and ask you about your aesthetic goals and medical history. Using this information, he will decide if PRP is right for you.

If you’re interested in undergoing an all natural, minimally invasive skin rejuvenation treatment, contact Princeton Plastic Surgeons today to schedule a private, PRP consultation.

What Can I Expect From Treatment?

Each PRP treatment takes less than an hour to complete and usually involves little discomfort or downtime. It’s safe enough to be used on even the most sensitive areas of the skin, like the under eye area, mouth, cheeks, forehead, neck, and chest.

A small amount of blood will be drawn from you. As the PRP is being prepared, your skin will be cleansed for treatment. The drawn blood is placed in a centrifuge for 5-10 minutes. This equipment spins the blood at a high rate of speed in order to separate the lighter plasma from the rest of the blood. This isolated platelet-rich plasma is what will be activated through the PRP therapy process.

The injections take just a few moments, and patients report them to be only mildly uncomfortable. The whole process will be about 15 minutes and, with no downtime, it’s hard to match the convenience of this rejuvenation option. You may experience mild redness, swelling, or bruising but this will subside on its own within 1-3 days. And because the PRP is made from your body’s own cells, the possibility of negative side effects is all but eliminated.

While the benefits of PRP are still being researched, many doctors and scientists have witnessed the amazing changes that PRP can bring to patients.

Recovery

One of the many benefits of this therapy is the lack of downtime. There may be some redness, tenderness, and swelling on the first day (if the treatment includes microneedling), but patients are otherwise able to return to their normal activities once the PRP serum is cleaned.

Results

One study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology in May 2010, cited that those treated with PRP therapy after a month had visible improvement in the skin with no persistent side effects. The subjects in this study were photographed using medical imaging devices, a digital camera, and a dermoscopy.

The skin is being “tricked” into believing that it has been injured and, as such, that it needs to create new, fresh tissue. This process allows the skin to create not only new collagen but also new blood vessels and cells. While results won’t be immediate, you should them within a few weeks as your skin begins to transform itself.

Pricing

Average cost: $900 - $3,000

The cost of your PRP procedure will depend on your specific case and if you opt to receive additional treatments or procedures. Please feel free to schedule a private consultation to receive a quote.

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Princeton Plastic Surgeons, based in the New Jersey area, boasts board-certified surgeons who specialize in procedures such as facelifts, breast lifts, breast augmentations, and tummy tucks.