Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a revolutionary treatment that harnesses the power of growth factors in a patient’s blood to aid in the healing and rejuvenation of various tissues. While effective on its own, there’s growing evidence that combination treatments lead to even better outcomes.
With uses in both regenerative and aesthetic medicine, PRP therapy is quite versatile when it comes to conditions and concerns it can treat. But to ensure patients gain the maximum benefit from such treatments, a personalized approach through combination therapies is best. We’ll explain why that is, but first, let’s begin with a quick primer on PRP therapy.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a form of regenerative medicine. It uses PRP — a preparation obtained from a patient’s blood — to help tissues heal better or to rejuvenate them. This solution contains a high level of platelets, which are cells that cause blood to clot but that also contain growth factors that are responsible for its healing potential. Plasma is simply the liquid portion of blood.
To make PRP, clinicians first draw a small sample of blood with an anticoagulant from the patient. This sample is then taken to a lab and placed in a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge rapidly spins the sample, causing platelets to separate from other blood components and concentrating them within blood plasma.
The PRP solution is usually delivered through injections or, alternatively, microneedling. Because the patient’s own blood components are used, there is no risk of contamination or allergic reactions. Platelets also work by enhancing the body’s healing potential, further minimizing any risks.
What Can PRP Treat?
PRP was originally used in the 1970s to treat thrombocytopenia, a deficiency of platelets in the blood. But decades later, it is being increasingly used in nearly every field of medicine for the treatment of many conditions:
Musculoskeletal injuries
PRP injections have shown promising results in helping athletes heal faster and quicker.
Osteoarthritis
PRP injections can also help reduce the pain, inflammation and limited mobility caused by osteoarthritis.
Sexual and reproductive health
Men and women struggling with sexual dysfunction or infertility can also benefit from PRP injections.
Hair loss
Injecting PRP into the scalp was found to promote hair regrowth in male-pattern baldness, female-pattern baldness, alopecia areata and other forms of hair loss.
Skin rejuvenation
PRP injections or microneedling with PRP is another effective and safe way to rejuvenate the skin.
Benefits of Combining PRP With Other Therapies
PRP therapy is remarkably good on its own. However, research has shown that it works even better when combined with other treatments, even those outside of regenerative medicine. The benefits of pairing this treatment with other therapies include:
Enhanced Healing
The healing potential of PRP can be maximized when we use other modalities to help deliver PRP deeper into targeted tissues or to enhance healing after certain procedures. Surgeons are now increasingly using PRP to help patients recover faster.
Synergistic Effects
The synergistic potential of combination treatments often offers superior results than when treatments are used alone. This definitely holds true for PRP, which seems to work well with a wide range of aesthetic and regenerative therapies.
Personalized treatment
Every patient has unique needs, goals and concerns. Creating personalized treatment plans helps us meet our patient’s unique needs and ensures optimal outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Which Treatments Can Be Combined With PRP?
Because PRP therapy is so versatile, it can be paired with a wide array of treatments within regenerative and aesthetic medicine:
PRP and Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance that helps lubricate the eyes, joints and skin. Its levels in the body decrease with age, which can exacerbate conditions like osteoarthritis and contribute to aging. PRP can be combined with HA injections in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis as well as fine lines, wrinkles and skin dullness.
In knee osteoarthritis, the combination of these two treatments can repair damaged cartilage and delay disease progression. As an anti-aging treatment, PRP can rejuvenate the skin by promoting collagen production while HA can add volume underneath the skin, in this way smoothing out wrinkles.
PRP and Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are one of the most effective ways to rejuvenate the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, age spots and sagging. They work by removing damaged layers of skin and stimulating the production of new skin cells and greater collagen remodeling. However, it can take up to a month for the skin to completely heal after a chemical peel.
PRP can accelerate healing to help significantly reduce downtime but also to minimize potential risks. PRP with microneedling can also be applied after a chemical peel to enhance the skin’s collagen and elastin production.
PRP and Microneedling
PRP therapy usually involves injecting PRP into the treatment area. However, microneedling is another way to deliver this treatment. Providers will usually treat the skin with a microneedling device before applying the PRP solution, which is then absorbed by the skin and delivered to the microscoping channels created by the microneedling device.
The benefits of this approach are greater collagen production, more prominent skin rejuvenation and faster healing times.
PRP and Laser Skin Resurfacing
Like chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing requires some healing time, which can be accelerated with PRP injections. Studies on this combination of treatments show that not only does it reduce redness post-treatment, but it also leads to more visible improvement in the skin.
The PRP solution is usually applied to the surface of the skin when combined with laser skin resurfacing. However, you can also opt for PRP with microneedling after your skin resurfacing treatment.
Experience The Synergistic Potential of Combination Therapies With PRP
PRP therapy is a revolutionary way to restore health or enhance your appearance. This versatile treatment works remarkably well on its own, but its full potential can be realized through a combination of different treatments.
At Luminance Regenerative Beauty and Wellness, we offer PRP in combination with a wide selection of therapies in regenerative and aesthetic medicine. Taking an individualized approach to each patient, we aim to create treatment plans that work with your unique needs.
If you are ready to experience the benefits of combination treatments using PRP, contact us at 669-201-1875 or book a consultation at Luminance Regenerative Beauty and Wellness today to learn more about how PRP therapy can help.