What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP)?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a natural treatment that uses your body’s own healing agents to restore stronger skin, diminish wrinkles, and promote hair growth. Noreen Kamal-Mostafavi, MD, in Staten Island, New York, has years of experience precisely injecting PRP to improve your appearance and promote healthier skin. To learn more about PRP and how it may help your unique cosmetic needs, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
Platelet-rich plasma FAQ?
PRP contains plasma and a high concentration of platelets. Platelets are found in your blood, so Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi produces the PRP for your treatment from your own blood. After drawing a sample, she places the blood in a centrifuge, which separates the different blood components. When the spinning is finished, Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi extracts all the platelets along with some plasma and uses it for your PRP injections.
How do platelets activate a healing response?
Platelets are one of your body’s natural healers. Any time you suffer an injury or a disease develops, platelets travel to the damaged tissues and release proteins called growth factors. Growth factors activate your body’s healing process by:
- Recruiting adult stem cells
- Regulating inflammation
- Accelerating new tissue growth
- Protecting healthy cells
- Building a supporting matrix
Between the activity of growth factors and adult stem cells, your body rebuilds the tissues needed to heal, including skin, blood vessels, fat, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
What conditions benefit from PRP?
PRP has a long history of use in the field of orthopedics, where it’s valued for its ability to accelerate healing in many types of injuries and degenerative diseases.
PRP is also highly effective for aesthetic treatments. Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi may recommend PRP for:
Skin renewal
PRP triggers the production of new tissues that grow in to replace your old skin. Studies show that PRP can strengthen your skin, improve its texture, smooth away wrinkles, and diminish acne scars. Your PRP treatment may also eliminate sun damage such as brown spots. This process isn’t fast, however, because it takes time for PRP to rebuild new cells.
Hair restoration
When injected into hair follicles, PRP stimulates new hair growth, slows down hair loss, and helps boost hair thickness. Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi may recommend PRP for overall hair thinning or for female-pattern hair loss.
What should I expect during a PRP procedure?
Before your procedure, Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi explains what to expect and how long your treatment will take based on the area being treated. Though most women tolerate the injections because fine needles are used, a topical anesthetic is applied to ensure your comfort.
To learn more about PRP and whether you’re a good candidate for treatment, call Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi, or schedule an appointment online.