What is PRP?
Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy is the procedure of injecting a patient with plasma concentration collected from one’s own blood to speed up the healing processes. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood that contains proteins which help the blood to clot and promote new cell growth in the body.
The idea behind PRP therapy is that when PRP is injected into already damaged tissues, it starts healing them and promotes the growth of new healthy cells.
How does PRP therapy work?
A doctor draws a patient's blood, then that blood sample is placed in a centrifuge to separate the collected blood sample into several layers.
The PRP portion of the blood is then extracted into a syringe to be injected at the site of treatment. The extracted PRP portion contains cytokines, platelets and certain growth factors.
What are the uses of PRP therapy?
Recently PRP injections are being applied to several different uses. Examples of these are mentioned below:
-
PRP treatment for hair loss: PRP therapy for hair loss is the most common kind of application of PRP injections. For this treatment doctors inject PRP into the patient's scalp.
Since 2014, PRP injections are proving quite effective for the treatment of androgenic alopecia also called female or male pattern baldness.
PRP hair loss treatment is also beneficial for cancer patients who lose their hair after the treatment. PRP hair treatment success rate is 70%.
-
PRP treatment for face: In the past few years, PRP has been used for certain aesthetic purposes; one of those uses is facials.
What Platelet Rich Plasma facial does is it promotes tissue regeneration in aged skin and restores collagen layers of the face.
The facial helps reduce fine lines, stretch marks and wrinkles. It also helps tighten the skin. PRP facials are also known as vampire facials.
-
PRP treatment for knee: Osteoarthritis is a disease commonly found in the knees. It causes severe pain in the knee joint and makes mobility of the joint quite a task.
The disease is treatable with the help of PRP therapy, only if PRP injections are used during the early stages. Improvement in the pain can be felt three months after the treatment is done.
-
PRP for tendon injuries: Orthopaedic specialists recommend PRP injections to treat hamstrings, quadriceps, patellar, peroneal and achilles injuries. PRP injections work by reducing pain, improving joint function and repairing tissues. Many athletes are using PRP therapy these days to fix their injuries as soon as possible.
-
PRP therapy for improving sexual health: PRP therapy is also used to treat sexual disorders and improve sexual functionality. PRP therapy can help with vaginal rejuvenation in women and also treat erectile dysfunction in men.
Are PRP therapy and stem cell therapy the same thing?
No, PRP therapy and stem cell therapy are two different techniques that use cells to promote healing in the human body.
For Stem cell therapy, cells are specifically transformed into cells required to heal different forms of injuries and diseases, while PRP therapy uses plasma obtained from one’s own blood to promote generalised healing at different spots in the human body.
How can I Prepare myself for PRP therapy?
Contrary to other outpatient procedures and blood tests, PRP patients are not required to fast or prepare much before the treatment.
All that they need to do is hydrate well so that blood withdrawal gets easier. They are also supposed to stop taking blood thinning medicines and other supplements according to their doctor’s recommendations.
What does the procedure of a PRP treatment look like?
PRP is a very simple and quick process which can be done within two hours. It can be performed as an outpatient procedure and doesn’t require hospitalisation. The steps involved in PRP therapy are mentioned below:
- 2 ounces of patient’s blood is collected following the standard procedure of a venipuncture.
-
Then the blood is centrifuged in a device that spins at extreme speeds to separate the solid and liquid part of the blood.
-
The resulting 4 to 7 mL of Platelet Rich Plasma is then collected in a syringe to be injected immediately to the patient.
-
Then with the guidance of an ultrasonic device PRP is injected to the site of treatment.
-
Later on, the injection site is wiped clean and a bandage may also be applied. The patient is then good to go back to their home.
What is the PRP treatment cost?
PRP therapy costs vary according to the body site that you need to get treated.
PRP hair treatment cost in Pakistan ranges between 15000 to 25000.
For cost details regarding other PRP treatments log on to oladoc.com
How long does it take to recover after PRP therapy?
PRP therapy requires minimal to almost no recovery time. However there may be slight tenderness at the site of injection for a day or two.
What are the precautions or after care tips that one should follow after PRP?
There is no such thing as PRP healing stages, most patients can hop on to their everyday activities just after getting done with the treatment.
However, following some after-care tips or precautions after the procedure is important. Mentioned below are the tips:
-
Since PRP injection fills the treatment site with fluid patients might feel tenderness or swelling after the treatment, they can use over-the-counter pain relievers to treat it.
-
Any pain after the PRP therapy should not be treated with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like the ibuprofen and naproxen as they can interfere with the therapy results.
-
PRP takes weeks to regenerate healthy tissues so patients will only be able to witness improvement in the pain after a month or two.
When can I expect to see the results after my PRP therapy?
Some patients start seeing visible results after three months of the treatment while others might notice the results after six to twelve months.
