Microneedling With PRP For Your Face: Transforming Your Skin
Can Microneedling With PRP Can Transform Your Skin?
If you’re struggling with dull, lackluster skin or frustrated with acne and acne scars, it’s natural to feel self-conscious or frustrated with your appearance. Unfortunately, acne is one of the biggest skin concerns, affecting up to 50 million Americans. Furthermore, 1 out of 5 will have long-term acne scars, with some leaving unpleasant scars. Some people also struggle with blemishes, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. There are a host of skincare products available, but these are limited in their effectiveness. Fortunately, microneedling with PRP (or platelet-rich plasma) is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that can rejuvenate your skin and help you regain confidence.
Microneedling with PRP uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing response and collagen production. The procedure can yield even more impressive results when combined with PRP, which is rich in growth factors. Whether you’re looking to improve your skin’s texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, or diminish the appearance of acne scars, microneedling with PRP is an excellent option. At Eternal Dermatology, we have a series of innovative cosmetic and medical procedures to help improve your skin. By combining two powerful techniques, you’ll see some of the best results you never thought were possible. In this post, we’ll dive into the benefits of these procedures, why you should combine them, and what you can expect from microneedling with PRP.
What is microneedling anyway?
You may have seen your favorite celebrity rave about the benefits of microneedling. It’s a procedure that’s been around for hundreds of years, originating from Asian and African cultures. Microneedling involves using a device with a series of small needles attached. These needles create micro-tears in the skin, which then respond by creating fresh, new skin cells, collagen, and elastin. This response can be wonderful for the skin, especially for some of today’s pesky challenges.
A study published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery found that microneedling is a safe and effective treatment for improving skin texture, fine lines, and wrinkles. The study also found that microneedling is useful for improving the appearance of scars caused by acne, injuries, or surgery. This is because microneedling stimulates collagen production, which is essential for maintaining youthful, healthy skin.
There are manual, handheld microneedling tools available, which can provide great improvement in skin texture and even improve blemishes like acne. However, a dermatologist may have access to advanced microneedling tools for enhanced results. At Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics, for instance, we use a microneedling device with needles at varying lengths. Passing the wand over the face, we can use the longer needles to target acne scars, age spots, and more severe blemishes. By breaking up the deeper layers of skin, microneedling encourages new growth and restructuring of those locations, leading to a smoother, fresher face.
Mixing in PRP
Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) is another technique that has been making waves in the world of cosmetic treatments. PRP is a concentration of growth factors and platelets that are derived from the patient’s blood. When injected into the skin, PRP can stimulate collagen production and promote healing, leading to smoother, more youthful-looking skin.
PRP is a type of regenerative medication that’s used to treat a range of physical ailments. Your blood contains platelets, which get to work to repair your body when there is an injury or disease. By providing more of those platelets in a given location, you can potentially accelerate its effects. PRP is a three-step process. First, your doctor will take a blood sample. Next, the sample is placed in a device that spins it at high speeds, allowing the platelet-rich plasma to separate from the red blood cells. Finally, the PRP is used for therapeutic purposes, such as re-injecting into joints or other locations like the scalp or face. This speeds up and enhances the body’s natural ability to heal and regenerate.
PRP will continue to grow as an effective tool in cosmetics. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that PRP was an effective treatment for reducing the appearance of acne scars. The study showed that PRP injections improved skin texture and reduced the depth and severity of acne scars. Another study published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that PRP was useful for treating androgenic alopecia, a common form of hair loss. The study found that PRP injections improved hair density and thickness, providing a promising solution for people struggling with hair loss.
Together, microneedling and PRP offer a powerful combination for your cosmetic needs.
Benefits of microneedling with PRP
Combining two powerful procedures sound like overkill, but it’s anything but. There are actually several benefits you get from the individual techniques and combining them. Here are some examples:
Improving acne scars
Acne scars come in different forms, including ice pick scars, rolling scars, and boxcar scars. These can be difficult to treat, leading to reduced self-esteem for patients. In addition to using medication like a retinoid (to speed up skin cell turnover), a procedure like microneedling with PRP can help. The microneedling procedure breaks up the layers of scar tissue so new collagen can form. PRP reduces inflammation while speeding up the healing process. Over multiple procedures, you’ll notice smoother skin and fewer scars, which may not return thanks to the healing abilities of PRP.
Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
We all develop wrinkles with age. Repeated movements of facial muscles can leave fine lines, crow’s feet, and wrinkles throughout the face. Microneedling with PRP can encourage cell turnover and healing, which may, in turn, reduce the signs of aging. The PRP encourages healing and new cell growth, which can have fantastic long-term benefits for fighting wrinkles. Some patients prefer the procedure as a first treatment option instead of dermal fillers or Botox injections.
Create a more even skin tone
Microneedling is great for improving skin tone. Excess sun exposure can lead to dull skin, sunspots, and uneven skin tone, thanks to sunburn. Microneedling can break up these patches of uneven skin and age spots, leading to a smoother complexion.
A natural approach
Natural beauty is growing in popularity. Patients are concerned about the ingredients in skincare for both their skin and the environment. Many contain products like preservatives that may be harmful over time. While there is a shift to vegan, cruelty-free products, microneedling with PRP can guarantee a natural approach to skincare. You use your body’s healing abilities to improve your skin.
Create more collagen
Collagen plays an important role in maintaining your skin’s youthfulness and health. It’s the connective tissue that allows it to be firm and smooth, but its production can decline with age. Regular microneedling sessions will encourage more collagen production over time. This can decrease the likelihood of acne and acne scars, provide smoother skin, and anti-aging benefits.
How is microneedling with PRP done?
Microneedling with PRP is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the treatment area. Before the procedure, your dermatologist will clean and numb the treatment area to ensure your comfort. Once your skin is numb, your dermatologist will use a small microneedling device to create tiny punctures on the surface of your skin. The device is moved across the skin in a controlled manner, and the needles penetrate the skin at a depth of around 0.5mm to 2.5mm, depending on the area being treated.
After the microneedling portion of the procedure is complete, your dermatologist will apply the PRP to your skin. First, a small sample of your blood will be drawn and placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the rest of the blood. The resulting PRP solution is then applied to your skin to help promote collagen production and healing. We will massage the PRP into your skin as the microneedling will allow your skin to receive it more effectively. For deeper scars, we may inject PRP into those areas.
During the procedure, you may feel a mild prickling or tingling sensation, but it should not be painful. After the procedure, your skin may be red and slightly swollen, but this should subside within a few hours to a few days. Your dermatologist may recommend avoiding direct sunlight, makeup, and strenuous exercise for a few days after the treatment to allow your skin to heal properly. In most cases, you can return to your normal activities the day after the procedure. Your dermatologist will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure you get the best results from your microneedling with PRP treatment.
Adding in Radiofreqency (RF)
Your dermatologist may also use an RF microneedling device that emits radiofrequency energy to enhance the effects of microneedling with PRP treatment. The RF energy heats the skin and underlying tissues, which can help tighten the skin and stimulate further collagen production. The RF procedure happens with microneedling, but before adding PRP, so it should not add time to the procedure.
Microneedling with PRP: A game-changing procedure
Microneedling with PRP is a safe and effective treatment for a variety of skin issues, including acne, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and other skin imperfections. By stimulating collagen production and promoting healing, this treatment can help restore a smoother, brighter, and more youthful appearance to your skin. If you’re interested in learning more about microneedling with PRP and how it can benefit your skin, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our dermatologist today.
At Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics, our experienced team can help determine if this treatment is right for you and create a personalized plan to help you achieve your desired results. We serve patients like you in the DMV area with various medical and cosmetic dermatology conditions. Don’t let skin concerns hold you back any longer – take the first step towards beautiful, healthy skin and schedule your consultation today.