The Power of Platelets

• Posted on: Feb 15 2019
• By: Creative Image Laser Solution

Unless you really were not paying attention in your biology class at Brownwood High School, you probably know that platelets in our blood are the reason the blood can clot and form a mesh to staunch the flow of blood when our skin is cut. But platelets aren’t a one-trick pony — they also have a host of growth factors that help out with the wound-healing process, as well.

What if you could take your blood and concentrate the platelets and white blood cells (also known for their healing properties)? You’d have a serum of good stuff.

You’d have platelet-rich plasma. At Creative Image Laser Solutions, we use platelet-rich plasma to rejuvenate the skin of our patients. It can be combined with procedures such as fractional laser resurfacing or can be done as a stand-alone procedure.

What is platelet-rich plasma?

Professional athletes are the ones who started the whole platelet-rich plasma (PRP) movement. They’ve been using PRP for years to help them speed healing of joints, tendons, and muscle tissue after injury or injury-repairing surgery.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is the essence of the blood and contains fundamental protein growth factors. Beyond the athletic realm, PRP it has begun to be used in the face to help initiate the production of collagen to tighten and firm the skin, and increase blood supply to the area. That’s how we use it at Creative Image Laser Solutions.

How is PRP therapy done?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy begins with the collection of the patient’s blood, usually the same amount taken for standard lab tests. The blood sample is then placed in a centrifuge to separate out the red blood cells, leaving a concentrated amount of platelets, white blood cells, and blood plasma. Platelets function as a natural reservoir for growth factors that are essential for repairing and rebuilding injured tissue. This “platelet-rich plasma” now has four to five times the normal number of platelets. The PRP is now injected at a shallow depth across the areas of the face you seek to treat.

The entire PRP process start to finish only needs around 15 minutes and is relatively painless.

Is there recovery?

There may be some redness and slight swelling where you receive the re-injected PRP that can last up to three days, but is minimal. Otherwise, since the PRP originates with your own blood, there is no danger of your body reacting negatively to it. At Creative Image Laser Solutions, we recommend 3-5 treatments spaced out 4-6 weeks for the best overall results.

Interested in putting your platelets to work for your skin quality? Call the team at Creative Image Laser Solutions, (325) 641-1927, to make an appointment.

Posted in: PRP Therapy