A favourite of celebrities, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment helps restore lost volume and rejuvenate the skin using the patient’s own platelets. Platelet Rich Plasma facial rejuvenation, available in Australia under the brand name Regen PRP, involves the production and injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma to help restore lost volume and structure and improve the complexion.

Apart from assisting blood clotting, platelets also release growth factors, which help the human body to heal itself by stimulating cells to regenerate new tissue. Regen PRP injections target the growth factors found in these platelets to stimulate the body into producing collagen. ‘I believe Regen PRP therapy is the ultimate biological skin rejuvenation treatment,’ says Perth cosmetic physician Dr Yien Yeo. ‘It uses the patient’s own cells to refresh the complexion, providing overall rejuvenation by improving the quality of the skin and restoring plumpness to wrinkles, scarring and crêpey skin.’

Depleted amounts of collagen and elastin are common effects of the ageing process, manifested in the formation of deep lines, wrinkles and dehydrated skin. According to Dr Kathy Gallagher from Queensland, Regen PRP therapy targets each of these concerns in all layers of the skin – from the deep dermal structures to the outermost surface. ‘PRP therapy can be used anywhere on the face and is particularly suited to improving fine lines, skin laxity and dark circles, an overall loss of facial volume as well as thin textured skin,’ she explains. ‘In my experience, patients aged between 40 and 60 can benefit greatly from the procedure as it can rejuvenate areas affected by a loss of elastin and reinvigorate the quality of the skin in the face, around the eyes, neck and décolletage – areas that are typically harder to refresh non-surgically.’

The term ‘Platelet Rich Plasma’ is used to describe blood plasma with a high concentration of platelets, which are integral to tissue repair. In concentrated form, the platelets contain special proteins that are responsible for initiating new blood vessel formation and connective tissue repair. As a result, new collagen and hyaluronic acid production is stimulated by the body’s natural healing mechanisms, improving skin health and creating a more vibrant appearance. ‘Whereas other skin rejuvenation treatments work by stimulating skin repair from the outside, PRP is unique in that it utilises the body’s natural repair resources to heal the skin and other deeper tissues from the inside,’ says Sydney cosmetic physician Dr George Calfas.

‘This results in a better framework of both the skin layer and the subcutaneous tissues, giving improved support and fullness.’ ‘PRP is a very versatile treatment as it can be tailored specifically for volume replacement (as an alternative to dermal fillers); hair regrowth (male pattern baldness/ thinning); the treatment of scar tissue (acne scarring and body stretch marks); as well as skin tightening and thickening,’ says Dr Paloma van Zyl from Sydney. ‘The treatment can also be combined with virtually any other cosmetic treatment. For example, PRP therapy sessions may be conducted together with a non-invasive laser skin treatment such as Fraxel or Pixel, or with muscle relaxants and fillers.’

Before treatment, a local anaesthetic or topical anaesthesia cream is used to numb the area. Treatment typically lasts about 40 minutes and involves taking two small tubes (about 10 to 20ml) of blood from the patient. The blood is centrifuged to concentrate the plasma and the concentrated platelets are then injected into the area. Side effects are typically mild and include slight swelling, which usually settles in 24 hours, and the possibility of mild bruising from the injections. Because the natural healing process takes some time, results appear gradually and progressively, usually over a four to six week period.

In order to maximise the benefit to the patient, Sydney based cosmetic physician Dr Herbert Hooi says that PRP facial rejuvenation is usually given as a series of three treatments, four weeks apart. Top-up treatments are advised every 12 to 18 months to maintain and further enhance results.

‘In my experience, PRP injections create a natural-looking result for patients wanting to enhance and illuminate their face,’ says Dr Yeo. ‘They provide gradual, natural-looking results for patients who want a complete package, and offer something completely different to dermal fillers and muscle relaxants – an overall radiant and youthful glow.’

Dr Hooi agrees: ‘My patients like the fact that the treatment uses their own cells and that it can be performed in the one visit. They’ve also commented on a noticeable softening of the wrinkles and an increase in firmness of their skin,’ he says. ‘However, it’s possible the best is yet to come. In my opinion, we have not yet seen the full potential of Regen PRP, and this is why I believe it is such an exciting development.’

Since its introduction to Australia five years ago, Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy under the brand name Regen PRP has become a highly sought-after non-surgical procedure for facial rejuvenation. Designed to improve the texture and tone of the skin, Regen PRP harnesses the beneficial functions of the body’s own blood platelets to stimulate new cell growth, helping to restore lost volume and improve complexion.

With age, the texture and appearance of the skin deteriorate and it often becomes dry. Platelet-rich plasma has been used in cosmetic medicine for many years to rejuvenate areas of the body including the face, neck, décolletage and the back of the hands, where aging is characterised by sagging skin, fine lines and loss of volume.

‘The term “platelet-rich plasma” is used to describe blood plasma with a high concentration of platelets, which are integral to tissue repair,’ explains Dr Jeremy Cumpston from NSW. ‘Regen PRP therapy targets the growth factors found in these autologous (the patient’s own) platelets, which are then injected back into the patient to stimulate the body into producing new collagen and hyaluronic acid.’

Whereas other skin rejuvenation treatments work by stimulating skin repair from the outside, PRP is unique in that it utilises the body’s own repair resources to heal the skin and other deeper tissues from the inside.

Because the treatment uses autologous blood plasma, generated by the patient’s own body, the risk of allergy or transmissible diseases is non-existent. Moreover, no foreign material is injected.

Not only does Regen PRP heal the skin in all layers, from the deep dermal structures to the outermost surface, it is also a very versatile treatment. As well as facial rejuvenation, Regen PRP can be used to treat scarring and stretch marks; promote healing in ulcerated wounds in the elderly; treat sports injuries; and help firm saggy stomach skin, as with woman after pregnancy.

Although commonly used to reinvigorate the quality of the skin in the face, Dr Cumpston believes Regen PRP can also be successfully used to treat thinning hair and hairloss. ‘PRP is proving to be a very successful treatment for hair thinning or loss, and particularly for male pattern baldness,’ he says. ‘During the consultation I will determine if a patient is a suitable candidate for PRP, as it is important to start treatment early on. ‘Hair loss can start very early for men in particular, and can be damaging to their self-esteem, and needless to say the men that we have treated have been extremely happy with their results,’ he adds.

During a typical treatment, blood is collected from the patient and then spun in a centrifuge in order to concentrate the blood plasma. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the treatment area.

Depending on the areas treated, different amounts of plasma will need to be collected, but a typical treatment will take 40 minutes. Addressing hollowing and dark circles around the eyes may need only one tube of blood to be collected from the patient (up to 10 ml of blood collected), while a full face can be done with two. Face, neck and décolletage may require as many as six tubes.

‘We have been using Regen PRP in our clinics for about 18 months and have had particular success in treating loose, crêpey skin on the neck,’ says Dr Cumpston. ‘Regen PRP can tighten, tone and lift the sagging skin around the neck and, in my experience, take years off someone’s appearance.’ During the procedure, numbing cream or local anaesthetic is applied in order to numb the area before injection, and patients should expect to experience slight bruising, swelling and redness after the procedure. Any side effects tend to settle over the course of 24 hours. ‘The patient will see some results two to three weeks after their first treatment, but for optimum results a course of three or four treatments is required, spaced a minimum of eight weeks apart’ says Dr Cumpston. ‘Results will continue to improve over the course of a few months.’

The longevity of the results depends on the age of the patient and condition of their skin, but generally a repeat procedure is recommended after one year. ‘In a slightly older patient once the desired results have been achieved, we may suggest a repeat treatment every six months,’ says Dr Cumpston. ‘For patients with hair thinning and loss, once we have achieved the regrowth of hair we recommend that every six months they have a “top up” vial to ensure the continued growth of new hair follicles.’

Using the patient’s own cells, Regen PRP can refresh a patient’s appearance with minimal downtime, helping to improve the quality of the skin and restore plumpness to wrinkles, scarring and sagging skin.

Regen PRP Rejuvenation is a treatment, developed in Switzerland that uses patient’s own blood in order to stimulate skin cells. It uses the combination of richness from stimulated growth factors and stem cells to regenerate and revitalise damaged skin by restoring collagen.

The process involves a revolutionary designed test tube gel that separates out your own bioactive Platelet Rich Plasma. Platelets are small, irregularly shaped clear cell fragments in your body that consist of granules which store multiple growth factors with the aim of healing damaged tissue. Further still, your plasma contains other cells that assist in this healing process. Using both platelets and plasma for the treatments means that clients get the most beneficial outcome when reversing the aging of their skin.

The advantages of Regen PRP Rejuvenation is that it is safe and physiologically active, preparation is simple and quick and can be used in multiple areas for dermal rejuvenation. The procedure is completed on the Physicians premises in the appointment time. Prior to treatment a simple blood sample of 8 – 20 mls is extracted from the patient. This blood is immediately placed in the centrifuge for 8 minutes. When centrifugation is complete your plasma will be separated from your red blood cells and the platelet rich plasma is then combined with an activator and is injected back into your skin.

Over the years, it has become more evident that serious aesthetic clinics are considering offering this science based treatment. With more patients now asking for natural and autologous (own cell) options to combat aging skin, Regen PRP Rejuvenation is the perfect option for anyone. Beautiful You spoke with Dr Joanna Romanowska from Clinic 42 about her vast knowledge and experience and answered some of our questions about this groundbreaking new treatment.

What can PRP offer to patients?
When patients have PRP treatment, not only does it improve the texture, but it improves the quality of the skin. It improves deteriorating skin and also enhances the health of your skin.

Can you tell me about your experience using PRP?
My experience has always been very positive with PRP. Once patients start to see the results after 3-6 months, they are delighted with the results. Patients are also very happy with PRP because unlike botulinum toxin or dermal fillers, this is a natural process using your own blood that is then pumped back into your skin.

What evidence is there to support this treatment?
Surgeons have been using PRP for skin grafts, ligament injuries and repairs for 15 years so it is not new to the medical scene. It is used to help enhance the effectiveness of your bodies healing capabilities so that they are not left with large, invasive scars. Along with the current use of it in surgery, there have been more than 25,000 scientific papers written on PRP and no data to date have reported any adverse side effects.

Who are suitable candidates for this procedure?
Anyone! There is no age limit on the procedure, but we mainly treat people with deterioration of skin quality from excessive sun exposure, people who have crepey skin around eyes and eye lids, bagging of neck and people who have scars that they are unhappy with.

Is it a one off treatment?
No. It is a course of three treatments at monthly intervals but it lasts up to 2-3 years. There is no instant gratification with PRP that people will see with botulinum toxin or dermal fillers, but PRP lasts longer, and patients are uniformly happy.

New Zealand Medical & Scientific Cosmetic Division, www.nzms.co.nz

With summer well on the way please just do one thing for yourself – invest in a good Sun protection! That and a Vitamin C serum ( powerful anti-oxidant if applied to the skin) will help prevent skin damage leading to wrinkles, pigmentation and skin cancers. We have several options for your face in the Clinic (as sunblock is quite a personal ‘feel’). Remember they need to be applied regularly through the day if you are out in the sun, especially between the hours of 11am and 4pm. Don’t be duped by high SPFs giving you a false sense of security and stay out too long!

Also before summer kicks in it’s a great time to book in for a Dermoscopic Mole Check with David and these only take 30 minutes and cost $70.00. Any suspicious lesions or moles can subsequently be dealt with by him in an appropriate manner and time frame.

Did you know we are now Southern Cross affiliated so we can claim direct for members? Let us know in advance if you are so that we can get pre-approval. Sovereign will also subsidize surgical treatments.

Rob has spent some time investigating sunhats and has imported some very stylish sunhats and visors from Helen Kaminsky in Australia. We are sure these will be very popular. Come in and check them out!

David has also been busy with Conferences and Workshops. Recent advances in non-surgical “Liquid Facelifts” have dominated presentations by Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Physicians alike. This is the world-wide new concept of ‘revolumizing’ which makes perfect sense now we have the range of Dermal Fillers capable of restoring what we lose as we age. David can make a plan for you that matches your needs and budget over time.

David has also been to Auckland to learn about ‘Vampire Therapy’ which was featured in a recent Listener article. Platelet-rich Plasma therapy is a new procedure used to treat wrinkles and stretch marks ( after initially being discovered to be great for sports injuries and burn and wound healing ) It is based on the benefits of platelets which contain growth factors that enhance tissue repair. David takes a blood sample which is used to form a concentrated compound that is injected back into areas like around the eyes, face, decolletage, crepey neck, backs of hands… It is also a proven stimulator of hair growth for male pattern baldness! PRP is 100% your own cells so has no risk of allergy or rejection. Come and have a chat about what is possible now.

We are nearing the completion of the 18 week Christmas Obagi Nuderm Challenge. Our lucky 10 (including 1 man ) are all looking wonderful as their skin pigmentation fades and is restored to a more youthful vibrant look. Feel free to call and ask Rob about the scientifically- proven No1 Physician prescribed skin treatment system in the USA.

Christmas is not far away & Vouchers make a great present – with our vouchers the recipient may choose a service or product of their choice (including the hats/visors or Dermoscopy checks), and we have some brilliant skin care products to choose from. Remember we are not just about Botox and Injectable’s!

Don’t forget too, that if you like our service and results and wish to recommend or refer a friend we will give you and your friend a $50 credit each. Please come in and get a voucher from Rob to pass on so we can make sure your recommendation is rewarded.

We hope we catch up with you soon.

David and Rob
Enhanceskin

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