All about platelet rich plasma (PRP)

What is PRP?

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatments use a centrifuge to separate a patient's blood into its various components. The thrombocytes (platelets) from the blood are then mixed with the plasma and injected into the body.

It has been shown to have wound healing benefits, being used in medicine for soft tissue injuries. More recently, it has been used in the aesthetics sector to help with problems like hair loss and skin rejuvenation, and in plastic surgery to help with healing post-surgery.

What’s the best way to administer platelet rich plasma?

Lots of doctors and nurses will have their own preferred way to administer platelet rich plasma (PRP). In training, you will usually be taught how to inject PRP using a 30g needle. Over time, practitioners may start to use different modalities in their practice to administer PRP, such as a cannula or a mesogun.

There are different clinical indications for using PRP and each of these will have a different protocol and treatment modality. For example, if you are treating the face and neck for rejuvenation, most practitioners will use a needle or a mesogun.

For hair, most practitioners will inject by using a 30g needle, but it is not uncommon for practitioners to choose to use a mesogun or a needling stamp device, several variations of which are on the market. Alternatively, you can also use a 32g needle in this area. Furthermore, some practitioners may also combine their PRP with other treatment modalities such as a medical skin needling device.

If you are combining treatments with PRP, you need to be aware of the manufacturers advice and remember what you learned in your training regarding the other treatment modalities. If in doubt always check!

But, which way is best?

In my opinion, the most important part of the PRP treatment is the collection, centrifugation, and preparation prior to delivery.

Administering PRP, whether it be by manual injections or by a mesogun is a personal choice and will also depend on the clinical indication for the patient. Either can be used for treating the face for rejuvenation. Personally, I prefer to inject PRP with a needle, as I use a variety of injection techniques and I feel that I get the PRP to the depths that I need. If I am, however, injecting joints, then I need to use a larger needle. For hair, I always inject, and if I am combining treatment modalities, I use polydioxanone (PDO) threads.

If you’re treating under the eyes, I would recommend using a 30g needle. If you are treating nasolabial folds, cheeks, jawline and forehead, I think a needle would be a better option, but you can use a mesogun. A cannula can also be used to administer PRP. It comes down to your personal preference and what you feel comfortable using while sticking to your remit as an injector.

How often should prp be done for skin tightening and rejuvenation for neck and face?

The frequency of PRP treatments will depend on the patient’s individual clinical needs, their individual response and any additional type of treatment for skin tightening and rejuvenation to be used in combination with the PRP treatment.

The PRP kit and centrifuge used will also play a huge part in the frequency of the treatment.

Most company protocols for skin rejuvenation will recommend that a patient has a total of four to six treatments spaced at four weekly intervals. If you are combining PRP with a skin needling device, you can offer them treatments at four weekly intervals with a potential view to recommending three treatments. This will depend on the individual needs of the patients.

If you are offering other treatment modalities for skin tightening such as fractional radiofrequency, C0₂ fractional laser or a deep skin peel in combination with PRP, then you need to space out the treatments at four to six weekly intervals. Always follow the guidelines of the manufacturer and training protocols.

Personally, I review after every PRP treatment and will recommend further procedures if required. This will depend on the patient and the clinical indications for treatment. I always ensure the patients are using appropriate skincare and, quite often, the patients will be having tweakments throughout the year. You can always offer a yearly maintenance PRP treatment for the patient.