Medical therapy with autologous blood (Platelet-Rich Plasma, PRP) is en vogue, especially in aesthetic medicine. Treatments with plasma range from topical creams to complex wound care after surgical procedures. Treatments are minimally invasive and do not involve the use of any foreign products at all. Crucial to the treatment is knowledge of how plasma is prepared and used.
After collection, the blood is separated into two phases by centrifugation. The red phase at the bottom of the collection tube is discarded. The upper portion contains the plasma, which can be further divided into two phases: PPP (platelet-poor plasma) and PRP (platelet-rich plasma). PPP contains a lot of albumin, PRP contains a lot of platelets. The platelets contain tiny vesicles that release the growth factors required for therapy. Important: When collecting plasma, care must be taken to avoid mixing it with white blood cells, as these can have a rather opposite and pro-inflammatory effect.
The growth factors contained in platelets stimulate collagen synthesis, promote the formation of microvessels and thus blood flow, cell growth and cell regeneration. Plasma can be used not only in the field of aesthetics, but also in surgical procedures to stimulate bone growth (e.g. in bone augmentation) and to accelerate wound healing. I process the plasma with a closed system (Plasmasafe®), which allows me to collect and prepare the plasma for the treatments in an absolutely sterile and safe way.
In aesthetics, I use plasma for skin rejuvenation. The application is individually tailored to the person being treated. Whether the treatment is in the form of topical creams, injections under the skin or the injection of wrinkles in a gel-like form always depends on the skin condition and the wishes of the patient. During a subcutaneous injection (so-called vampire-lift), liquid plasma is injected carefully and painlessly under the skin. Subsequently, the application of microneedeling is recommended. During this procedure, tiny injuries are made to the skin surface, which stimulates the skin to synthesize collagen. The previously administered plasma promotes skin regeneration and results in a rejuvenated and tightened skin appearance.
Recent clinical studies (Draelos 2019, García-Millan 2022) also demonstrate a positive effect with superficial plasma application, provided that adequate skin preparation is performed. Fine skin lines and the smallest wrinkles are thus smoothed, the skin texture is improved and the skin tone is more even. Plasma therapy can also be effective in mild forms of specific skin diseases such as acne or psoriasis. So you could really call growth factor-rich plasma (PRP) liquid gold.
The cost of a plasma treatment depends on the extent and type of therapy chosen. During a detailed consultation, we will discuss a sensible treatment plan together.
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