Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
What is it?
PRP - Platelet Rich Plasma - is a blood-derived product, characterized by a high concentration of growth factors. Platelet-Rich Plasma, from which the acronym PRP derives, is used for therapeutic purposes due to its peculiar ability to stimulate and facilitate tissue regeneration.
When is this procedure indicated?
Platelets are capable of modulating physiological processes, promoting cell replication and the formation of new extracellular matrix. This last property is interesting for treatments aimed at stimulating tissue regeneration.
The possible applications of PRP in the medical field are numerous:
- androgenetic alopecia in the initial phase;
- telogen defluvium; alopecia areata;
- tissue bio-revitalization for aesthetic purposes;
- photoaging;
- chrononaging, burns, scars, bedsores, vascular and diabetic ulcers.
How is it performed?
PRP preparation steps:
Step 1
Collection: a modest amount of venous blood is taken from the patient.
Step 2
CCentrifugation: the sample is placed in a special centrifuge that has features dedicated to obtaining Platelet Rich Plasma. At the end of this operation, three layers are observed:
- PPP - Platelet Poor Plasma;
- PRP - Platelet Rich Plasma;
- Red blood cells.
Step 3
Separation: platelet-poor plasma is aspirated from the tube and discarded; PRP is isolated and combined with a platelet activator before administration to be used for treatment. PRP is administered through a series of small subcutaneous inoculations in the area to be treated; it is, therefore, a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed after a mild local anesthesia. The treatment involves a cycle of sessions, at varying timer intervals, in order to induce and maintain a significant stimulation.
Recovery
The service is performed in an equipped outpatient clinic.
Short-term complications
Pain at the site of inoculation, bruising, headache.
Long-term complications
Contraindicated in the presence of alterations in blood coagulation, infectious diseases in acute phase and hematological tumors.
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