Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF)

Introduction
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a concentrated preparation of platelets and growth factors sourced from an individual's own blood. Platelets are functional cell fragments that release growth factors which regulate the healing cascade by signaling to surrounding cells to repair damaged tissue and regenerate new tissue. They contain several important repair and growth factors including the following:

Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)
Promotes angiogenesis, which is the physiological process involving the synthesis of new blood vessels.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
An important signaling protein involved in both angiogenesis, promoting the growth of blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature.

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)
Promotes angiogenesis, granulation, and epithelialization.

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
Attracts macrophages and fibroblasts to the application site. Promotes collagen growth and proteoglycan synthesis and the formation of the extracellular mix, also known as fibrin mesh.

Interleukins, Macrophages, Keratinocytes, Endothelial Cells, Lymphocytes, Fibroblasts, Osteoblasts, Basophils, Mast Cells
Activates fibroblast differentiation. Induces collagen and proteoglycan synthesis for healthy cell production and repair of damaged tissues.

Collagen Stimulating Growth Factor
Stimulates granulocyte and macrophage proliferation for the growth of healthy tissue and blood cells.

Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF)
Keratinocyte migration, differentiation, and proliferations may optimize conditions.

Left Photo-Example of blood after centrifuging to separate the growth factor and platelet-rich plasma ready for injection into scalp for hair restoration or topical application to skin in combination with laser microneedling for skin rejuvenation

Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is a whole blood concentrate of platelet-rich plasma (including the growth factors noted above) plus mesenchymal stem cells and fibrin. PRF has been a welcomed addition to serum blood concentrates used to achieve rejuvenation and restoration of hair, skin, and soft tissues.               

Left Photo-Example of blood after low speed centrifuging to create PRF with platelet-rich plasma, fibrin, and stem cells highly effective for hair restoration and/or topical application to skin in combination with laser microneedling for skin rejuvenation

 actual patient case of Dr. Liu©

What can PRP/PRF help improve?
PRP/PRF can be highly effective in repairing and rejuvenating sun-damaged and aged skin/soft tissue as well as restore hair loss.

EXAMPLES OF PRP/PRF  HAIR RESULTS

Left Photo-Hair thinning on top of scalp.   Right Photo-After 4 sessions of PRP injection to the top of the scalp

Left Side of Photo-88 year old with hair thinning on top areas of scalp     Right Photo-After 4 sessions of PRF injections

Left Side of Photo-Hair thinning on front and top areas of scalp     Right Photo-After 3 sessions of PRP injections

Left Side of Photo-Hair thinning on crown of scalp     Right Photo-After 2 sessions of PRP injections

Left Side of Photo-Significant hair thinning on crown of scalp     Right Photo-After 5 sessions of PRP injections with partial hair restoration

EXAMPLES OF PRP/PRF  SKIN REJUVENATION RESULTS

Case Study of Split Chest Treatment to Demonstrate Additional Benefits of PRP Serum to Rejuvenate Skin

Patient is 34 year old female with lifetime sun-exposure to her chest area resulting in significant accumulation of excess pigmentation, fine lines, and loss of luster to skin appearance. Multimodality laser treatment to the chest yields excellent results. Alma Harmony Dye-VL intense pulsed light, Alma iPixel ablative fractional laser, and Alma V-Shape fractional microablative plasma radiofrequency needling was done to the entire chest area.

Additionally, PRP serum was applied topically to the left side of her chest immediately after the laser treatment to determine if additional benefits could be seen from PRP serum in combination with laser.

Left Photo-Before treatment view of right side of chest       Right Photo-Right side of chest after triple laser multimodality treatment demonstrating excellent results of reducing pigment, improving fine lines and texture

Left Photo-Before treatment view of left side of chest       Right Photo-Left side of chest after triple laser multimodality treatment plus PRP serum demonstrating better results of reducing pigment, improving fine lines and texture in comparison to laser only

Left Photo-Right side of chest after triple laser multimodality treatment ONLY       Right Photo-Left side of chest after triple laser multimodality treatment plus PRP serum. Overall, laser therapy yielded excellent improvement; however, side by side photos and patient feedback demonstrated superior results for pigment removal, fine line/texture improvement, and overall skin luster on the left side that received laser and PRP serum.

Top of Photo-Forearms of 64 year old male with significant sun-damage and age-related skin laxity and dullness.           Bottom of Photo-Hands had same sun and age related changes. Photo shows skin and soft tissue rejuvenation after one session of combination laser (IPL, fractional laser, microneedle radiofrequency) with PRP serum.

Top of Photo-Close-up of left forearm of 64 year old male with significant sun-damage and age-related skin laxity and dullness.                     Bottom of Photo-Hands had same sun and age related changes. Photo shows skin and soft tissue rejuvenation after one session of combination laser (IPL, fractional laser, microneedle radiofrequency) with PRP serum.

Is PRP safe?
The PRP concentrate is produced from an individual's own blood and the processing steps are sterile, closed (no contact of blood outside sterile tube), and strictly labeled and verified.

Is the procedure painful?
The procedure is very well tolerated. Patients report minor discomfort and/or pressure for a few hours after the procedure.