PRP contains concentrated platelets in plasma which is about 15 times more than normal blood.  Platelets, also called “thrombocytes”, are a component of blood whose function along with the coagulation factors is to stop bleeding by clumping and clotting blood vessel injuries. The blood clot is only a temporary solution to stop bleeding and tissue repair is needed.

The Platelets contain variety of growth factors such as PDGF, TGF beta, FGF, IGF-1, EGF, VEFG plus cytokines and adhesion molecules that recruits your bodies “stem-cells” at the injection site and facilitate regeneration of tissue (collagen, elastin, blood vessels, nervous tissue, cartilage, etc.).

Plasma is essential for cell survival as it contains nutrients, vitamins, hormones, electrolytes and proteins. Proteins are key molecules for the coagulation process and the formation of the fibrin polymer that will serve as a scaffold for cell migration, differentiation and proliferation.  Platelets (together with the liquid plasma in PRP) are body’s natural response to injuries and contain a large amount of growth factors that induces accelerated tissue regeneration and proliferation.

Annual PRP procedures could be helpful to address the normal on going cellular degenerative aging process.

PRP is delivered either by syringes with specific gauge needles like Botox and Fillers or applied during or immediately after microneedling.

In order to achieve best results and decrease side effects, we ask that you read and comply with the following instructions.

Pre-Treatment Instructions

• Avoidance of Accutane for the past 6 months
• Avoid Botox/facial fillers 2-4 weeks prior to treatment
• Avoid Alcohol 7 days prior to PRP treatment as alcohol diminishes stem cell release.
• Avoid retinoids, topical antibiotics, exfoliants, hydroquinone, sunburn, and benzoyl peroxide 7 days prior to procedure
• Avoidance of IPL/Laser procedures for the past 7 days prior
• No waxing, depilatory creams or electrolysis 5-7 days prior to procedure
• No topical agents that may increase skin sensitivity or dryness 7 days prior to treatment such as topical retinoid or hydroquinone products, alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) beta hydroxyl acids (BHA), exfoliating masks, or benzoyl peroxide acne products).
• No shaving the day of the procedure
• No significant recent changes in the skin breakdown of skin or excess dryness or sunburn
• If history of cold sores, you should be on antiviral agent for 7 days prior to and at least 3 days after treatment.
• No NSAIDS or steroid medication 7 days before and 14 days after the treatment as these agents will diminish the clinical outcome as platelets work by causing inflammatory cascade for tissue repair. You may take Tylenol or pain or discomfort both before an after without diminishing efficacy of PRP.

Those patients who smoke, quality of PRP will be lower due to diminished stem cell release.

PRP is safe for most individuals above 18 years of age.  However, there are very few contraindications and patient with any of the following conditions are not candidates for the treatment.

• Cancer: includes SCC, BCC and melanoma, bone, hematopoietic or metastatic cancer.
• Acute and chronic infections
• Chemotherapy treatments
• Systemic use of corticosteroids within two weeks of the procedure.
• Anti-coagulation therapy (Coumadin, Warfarin, Plavix, Aspirin, Lovenox)
• Dermatological diseases (i.e. Porphyria), scleroderma, collagen vascular disease, allergies
• Diabetes or other chronic diseases
• Immunosuppression treatments
• Scars less than 6 months old
• Accutane within the last 6 months
• Botox and facial fillers within the last 2-4 weeks
• Blood disorders and platelet abnormalities ( i.e. Hemodynamic Instability, Hypofibrinogenemia, Critical Thrombocytopenia)
• Pregnancy or Lactation
• Severe metabolic and systemic disorders
• Underlying Sepsis
• Chronic liver disease

Adverse effects of treatment with PRP are rare, but there are certain inherent and potential risks and side effects.  Some of the Potential Side Effects of Platelet Rich Plasma include, but are not limit to the following:

• Discomfort, Pain and bleeding at the injection site
• Bruising
• Infection as with any type of injection
• Erythema and red appearance of the treatment area. Severity will depend upon how aggressive the treatment was performed and how your skin reacts. Skin will be pink or red and may feel warm, like a mild sunburn, tight and itchy which may subside in 12-24 hours.
• Dryness, scaling and peeling which will resolves within 7 to 10 days.  In rare cases scab may form
• Injury to a nerve and/or muscle
• Itching at the injection site(s)
• Nausea /vomiting / Dizziness or fainting
• Temporary blood sugar increase
• Swelling at treatment site
• Permanent scarring( less than 1% and extremely rare,
• Hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) rarely occurs and usually resolves itself after a month.
• Herpes flare up if you have a history of outbreaks and you are not on anti-viral therapy before the procedure as indicated on the Pre-Treatment instructions above..
• Minimal or no effect from the treatment

Call our office at (760) 944-9300 to schedule a complementary consultation to evaluate if you are a candidate for the procedure.  Dr. Wali will review you history,  you will have an opportunity to ask questions, and upon approval you will be provided important information on Pre-Procedure guidelines to prepare for your first PRP treatment to achieve best possible experience and optimal results.

Skin should be clean without lotion, oil, makeup, deodorant, powder, perfume or sunscreen

• Omit lotions, creams, make up or deodorant in area to be treated
• Arrive with clean washed skin
• Inform us of any changes in medical history and of all medications you are taking