Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are one of the most popular treatments at Gerka Clinc – and it’s easy to see why. They’re safe, effective and can be used to treat a number of different conditions.
In this blog I’m going to run through what they can be used to treat, how the procedure works and how effective they are.
What exactly is PRP? Our blood is made up of four different things: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets.
Platelets, which are carried around the body by plasma, are responsible for healing our body and bringing us back to health. Therefore, Platelet-Rich Plasma is simply plasma full of those healing platelets that are so good for our body.
But where do we get this platelet-rich plasma from? It actually comes from our own body. To create it, doctors first use a syringe to extract a small amount of blood from your body. This blood is then put through two centrifuges. The first one removes the red blood cells. The second one removes the platelet-poor plasma.
The highly-concentrated, platelet-rich plasma that remains is then injected back into your body. Think of it as a shot of healing vitamins and nutrients that goes straight into your bloodstream.
The procedure
Once I have extracted the PRP from my patient, the rest of the procedure is pretty straightforward.
Using a syringe, I inject the target area of your body with the PRP. So, for example, if you’re looking to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on your face then I would target that specific area. Normally I would using imaging technology to target a more precise region.
The whole procedure normally takes around 30 minutes and there’s no downtime afterwards – you’ll be able to go about your normal day as soon as you leave Gerka Clinic.
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What can PRP injections be used for?
PRP accelerates the natural healing processes of the body, so it can be used to treat a variety of different conditions. They can:
- improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- even your skin tone
- tighten loose skin
- prevent hair loss
- accelerate recovery from injury
- improve sexual function
Aside from these benefits, PRP injections can be used to treat anything that needs regeneration or recovery – whether that’s sagging skin or aching joints.
How long do PRP injections last?
It’s difficult to give you an exact figure until we know more about you, which is why your initial consultation is so important. It helps us understand your condition, your medical history and what you’re hoping to achieve with PRP.
After the procedure, it then depends on how your body reacts to the treatment. Every patient is different, and they will react differently to the treatment.
But as a rule of thumb, the benefits of PRP injections generally last for between 6 and 12 months.
PRP treatment: side effects
Because PRP injections contain substances from your own body, the risk of an allergic reaction is low. However, there are still some side effects to be aware of. Potential side effects include:
- pain or slight swelling in the treated area
- infection
- tissue damage
At Gerka Clinic your safety comes before anything else, so of course we’ll do everything we can to minimise the risk of any side effects. If you’re worried about any specific side effect you’ve heard about then I’m happy to talk it over with you before your treatment to alleviate your concerns.
