Often referred to as the Vampire Facial or Facelift, the platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment is one that has seen increasing popularity around the world. Many of our favourite celebrities and social media influencers have admitted that they get this cosmetic treatment as a part of their skin care regimen.

But just what is this treatment? Is it safe? Are there any risks associated with it? And what kind of benefits make this treatment so widely popular?

Understanding the PRP treatment

This treatment is performed in-office. The patient’s own blood is extracted safely, with as little discomfort as is possible. This blood is then run through a process that will extract the plasma from it. The plasma in our blood is the liquid part that is jam-packed with nutrients, platelets, enzymes and antibodies.

According to the licensed professionals at Adelaide beauty clinic Face & Body, the extracted plasma is then injected into the face, using a fine and small needle. This part of the process is very similar to the microneedling treatment. Patients should feel no pain during the treatment. Any minor discomfort will be handled with the use of a topical anaesthetic cream.

What results can the PRP treatment produce?

Microneedling treatments help to encourage the body’s repair and regenerate response. The micro needles puncture the skin, which is in effect trauma to the skin. The body responds by boosting the production of collagen and elastin in order to heal these injuries to the skin. With the addition of injected plasma, the healing process can be potentially sped up. Results can be seen faster because the plasma is rich in those growth factors that are responsible for the generation of new cells.

• Patients can see the following results after treatment.
• The improvement in fine lines and wrinkles on the face
• An improvement in the texture of the skin
• Minimising of the bags under the eyes
• A reduction in the size of pores
• A reduction in the appearance of acne and other facial scars

Is the PRP treatment safe?

When the PRP treatment is performed by licensed professionals, it is considered to be a very safe treatment. A sterile environment will ensure that the procedure is completed without any compromise to the safety and health of the patient. The PRP treatment should not performed at home or in any environment that is not under the supervision of an experienced and trained professional.

Are there any side effects to treatment?

There are very few side effects experienced from this treatment. There may be some pinpoint bleeding before the micro punctures close up, typically within 15 short minutes. Bruising and inflammation are the side effects seen most often. They resolve within a few days after treatment.

To reduce the potential for discomfort and damage to the skin, it’s recommended that patients avoid direct exposure to the skin and postpone any working out for a few days after treatment.

The PRP treatment is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment. There is little to no downtime needed to recovery from this procedure. Patients can expect to have redness and inflammation as their face heals from the treatment, but should be feeling back to normal within a week.