The human body is distinguished by its ability to heal itself and regenerate its tissues through stem cells, which are stimulated by growth factors and hormones, and platelets rich in platelets. Recently, the use of this plasma as a treatment in the field of aesthetic medicine, despite its common use in orthopedics and in the treatment of athlete injuries, has appeared for a long time.
Al-Jamila hosted Dr. Fayza Al-Ghamdi, dermatologist and laser consultant at the National Guard Hospital in Jeddah, to introduce us to the plasma rich in platelets, and the advantages and uses of their use.
How does platelet rich plasma work?
Dr. Fayza explains that the blood platelets move to the injury sites in the body to secrete the growth factors. Platelets are the first to respond to an infection. In normal conditions, these platelets are secreted to stimulate the growth and regeneration of bones and cartilage, the development of new blood vessels to accelerate tissue regeneration, and stop bleeding, as they release many biologically active proteins responsible for stimulating stem cells, which are involved in wound healing. Modern technology has contributed to the concentration of plasma and its use to accelerate wound healing and treat injuries of all kinds.
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Advantages of using it
Advantages of using plasma include tissue regeneration, cell stimulation, and increased collagen production, which contributes to an increase in skin thickness and overall health.
How to prepare it
A quantity of the patient''s blood is taken and placed in a centrifuge, which rotates at a high speed to separate the platelets from the rest of the blood components.
The process takes less than 15 minutes, during which the concentration of platelets and growth factors increases to reach 600%, and the proportion of human stem cells increases, to reach 10 times higher than the original levels. Then the plasma is injected into the area to be improved, to remove wrinkles and spots from aging, or the effect of acne and scars, on the face, neck and hands As well as to treat alopecia and thickening hair.
How to treat
Platelet-rich plasma is injected under the dermis with small needles, with or without local anesthesia. This treatment is a simple, painless procedure. There may be some redness on the skin, it lasts for 12-24 hours, and some minor bruising at the injection sites, and it lasts for two to three days, so the skin tissue begins to improve within 3 weeks, while the entire collagen regeneration requires 3 months. Plasma can be used on all skin types, and the process is repeated for up to 3 sessions separating each session of the month, and 6 sessions for hair. To enhance these results, topical skin care and laser creams can be used.
There are some factors that can reduce the effect of plasma, including smoking and alcohol consumption, as they reduce stem cell stimulation.
Although plasma therapy is promising and effective for most patients, there are contraindications that the doctor must take into account, namely:
Infections, cancer, chemotherapy, syndromes and defects of platelets, instability in the circulatory system, anticoagulation therapy, acute and chronic infections, chronic liver conditions, acute metabolic disorders, and skin diseases, such as "lupus lupus".
negative effects
Some negative effects may occur as a result of plasma-rich plasma treatment. The most common are infections, temporary skin pigmentation, bruising, and pain in the injection area.
Plasma and hair growth
The use of platelet-rich plasma is an effective treatment for alopecia, in which the platelets secrete growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor and vascular growth factor, both of which have positive effects on hair growth, by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels.
Before plasma injection to treat hair loss, the cylinder can be used with small needles and passed over the scalp, then focus on the affected area to stimulate stem cells in the follicles.
