PRP Facials
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PRP Medical Microneedling
PRP Medical Micro-needling
You know what truly beautiful skin looks like. (Think of a baby’s cheeks.) Truly beautiful skin is soft, supple, and glowing. Over time, natural aging processes combined with external environmental factors such as stress, sun exposure and smoking, damage the skin. It is not easy to reverse the sun damage, acne, wrinkles, fine lines, freckles, and sun spots that result. But it can be done with Micro-needling augmented with Platelet Rich Plasma!
How Does It Work?
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Medical Micro-needling involves using a electric-powered pen device to make thousands of minuscule needle punctures in the outermost layers of the skin. By precisely controlling the depth, spacing, frequency, and pattern of these pricks from a dozen sterile, disposable needles, the pricks cause micro-wounds to your skin to attract platelets from your blood to the wound site. This takes 4-6 weeks to accomplish but the results are amazing. A total of three treatments 6 weeks apart is recommended.
Medical Micro-needling coupled with PRP doubles up on the availability of the platelets, which not only is naturally attracted to the wound site but is also exogenously applied. The exogenous Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is made from your blood which is drawn onsite and processed, creating a platelet-rich substance that is applied on the surface of your skin and then driven into your dermis with the micro-needles. This procedure has been scientifically demonstrated to show improvement in fine lines, freckles and sun spots, scars, burns, pitted and non-pitted acne scars, stretch marks, and large pores.
Diagram
The diagram below illustrates the depth the needles need to penetrate. The skin thickness varies on the face, and the derma pen is constantly adjusted to assure penetration into the dermis layer. On the forehead, the needle depth is set to 1.5 mm; the nose and upper lip 1 mm; and on the chin and cheeks 2 mm setting is used. The skin will turn pick and bleed slightly for a few minutes as a result of the needles penetrating small arterioles.
The result of the thousands of holes that penetrate the skin by Medical Micro needling is to better absorb the PRP that is layered on the surface of the skin.
Results
Bar Rafaeli, image credit herself, demonstrating microneedling being combined with PRP treatment
Kim Kardashian, image credit herself, demonstrating microneedling being combined with PRP treatment
How Is This Different From A Microneedling or Dermaroller in a Spa?
PRP not available in non-medical spas.
PRP is a substance rich in platelets that is derived from your own blood in our on-site lab. Blood-drawing is not permissible at non-medical spas. A licensed physician is required to supervise this procedure and any procedure that breaks your skin. Dermarollers are effective in some situations but unlike the mechanical pen, are not adjustable to penetrate the different skin thicknesses on the face.
Why Not Just Use A Laser or Chemical Peel?
Medical Microneedling is preferable to laser and chemical peels in many patients because it is safe for use in all skin tones, all parts of the body (including stretch marks on the abdomen), and all times of life (including pregnancy and breastfeeding). In addition, the downtime with Medical Microneedling is quite short, with transient redness usually lasting less than a day (as compared to one week or more with peels or laser).
Medical Microneedling is also a great technique for those who are concerned with their complexions but are reluctant to try Botox or fillers. Because it is mechanical and is completely natural - it does not involve any chemicals or neurotoxins - the technique is reassuring to many.
Does It Hurt?
Although Microneedling sounds scary (thousands of needle strikes going into your face!), it is actually quite painless. Dr. Goldstein uses BLT numbing cream on your face to keep you completely comfortable, and you are wide awake during the procedure. The experience feels similar to a deep facial with a bit of extra vibration. At the end of the procedure, your face will be slightly red and tingly. By the next day, for the majority of patients, you will be able to return to work and play, with minimal downtime, and use make-up to cover up any residual redness. In some cases, a full week is required for your face to completely recover.
Improved skin appearance begins to occur almost immediately and continues for 4 to 6 weeks. For best results, Microneedling should be repeated three times, once every 4- 6 weeks. Maintenance should be considered every 6 months.
Is It Effective?
The before and after photos of PRP Microneedling speak for themselves. Although individual results and situations vary, this technique has been demonstrated to be effective in facial wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, burns, surgical scars, and stretch marks.
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Before & After
Fine lines around lips
Fine lines around eyes
Stretch marks and surgical scars
What Is The Data?
The scientific literature supports the use of PRP with an electric Microneedling device. More detailed data can be found here:
1. Robinson JK, Hanke W, Sigel DM, et al. Surgery of the Skin: ProceduralDermatology. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Elsevier; 2015.
2. Talakoub L, Wesley N. Microneedling. Dermatology News. January 13,2015. http://www.edermatologynews.com/specialty-focus/a... 8ba6cca9162ce6bb3ca06fd7fd358dfa.html .Accessed March 21, 2016.
3. El-Domyati M, Barakat M, Awad S, Medhat W, El-Fakahany H, Farag H.Microneedling therapy for atrophic acne scars: an objective evaluation. JClin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(7):36-42.
4. El-Domyati M, Barakat M, Awad S, Medhat W, El-Fakahany H, Farag H.Multiple microneedling sessions for minimally invasive facial rejuvenation:an objective assessment. Int J Dermatol. 2015;54(12):1361-1369.
5. Kim DH, Je YJ, Kim CD, et al. Can platelet-rich plasma be used for skinrejuvenation? Evaluation of effects of platelet-rich plasma on human dermalfibroblast. Ann Dermatol. 2011;23(4):424-431.
Micro-Needling Treatment
Pre-Treatment Instructions:
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Avoid retinoids and treatments for auto-immune disease for 24 hours before your treatment.
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Avoid sun exposure to the treated area for 24 hours before your treatment.
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Arrive at our office with a clean face (no makeup).
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Do not schedule this procedure if you have used Accutane/ Isotretinoin within the last 6 months.
Micro-Needling Treatment
Post-Treatment Instructions:
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During the first 1-3 days you will look red (similar to a sunburn) and your skin may feel warm, rough and tight.
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Use a gentle cleanser with tepid water the first 3 days. Dry gently.
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Use only gentle skin care products for the first 3 days. After that you can resume your normal skin care regimen.
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Avoid makeup, retinoids, glycolic acids, vitamin C products and sunscreens the evening after your procedure.
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Avoid sun exposure for the following 3 days. Make sure to wear a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
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Avoid swimming, strenuous activity and exercising during the first 24 hours.