PRP (platelet-rich plasma)
PRP is the abbreviation for “platelet-rich plasma” and is one of the many methods of mesotherapy. The blood platelets (thrombocytes) are responsible for the healing process. For example, after a cut, they release a multitude of growth factors, stop the bleeding and promote wound healing. Aesthetic medicine also uses this regenerative power to stimulate the skin or hair follicles to grow. Thus, PRP belongs to the treatments that improve skin quality and hair growth, but also stimulate the regeneration of blood vessels.
This form of treatment is popular because only the patient’s own blood or plasma is used for it. A lift in the surgical sense is not performed, so the term “vampire lift” is rather misleading in my opinion.
Treatment with PRP is indicated to achieve a more beautiful skin appearance, whether on the face or décolleté. However, it does not replace volume for shaping, for which a filler made of hyaluron is the means of choice. Similarly, PRP does not treat frown or laugh lines, for which botulinum is a better solution. An alternative for renewing the skin’s appearance is “laser skin resurfacing”, which can be combined with PRP. PRP is also used to improve blood flow to the erectile tissue in the penis.
For men, the regenerative potential in the treatment of erectile dysfunction is worth mentioning, especially in combination with Shockwave therapy. These therapies stimulate the regeneration of the blood vessels of the corpus cavernosum. The injections into the corpus cavernosum of the penis are slightly painful, comparable to the prick of a blood sample.
Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the PRP. Centrifugation causes the platelets to accumulate in the lower part of the collection tube, while the upper part of the plasma in the tube contains hardly any platelets. It makes no sense to inject this part as well. At the same time, a certain amount of platelet-rich plasma is needed to treat the whole face or décolleté. The PRP system from World-PRP provides a sufficient amount.