You are receiving this information because you are interested in having treatment injection treatment of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for your concern. Moreover, your condition has been identified as one that may benefit with this form of treatment. Here, we provide some basic information instructions regarding this injection procedure.
Background on platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection treatment
PRP is derived from your own blood by taking a sample of blood, placing it in a special PRP tube and processing blood in a centrifuge for about 10-15 minutes. This separates the blood into important components including red blood cells, platelets and plasma (the non-cellular fluid in the blood). Here, we extract PRP, which contains highly concentrated platelets and some white blood cells, the cells that are responsible for promoting blood clotting and healing. The cells also contain a number of specialised chemicals called growth factors. These factors interact with local cells and send signals that initiate a variety of events such as cell division and migration. The basic idea behind PRP injection treatment is to deliver high concentrations of growth factors to stimulate hair follicles and collagen production, via a very complex biological process.
PRP has been used for decades to help promote healing dental, orthopaedic, and plastic surgery procedures. Over about the past 10 years, PRP has been recognised for its huge potential in hair loss especially. This procedure is gaining wider attention as more and more clinical trials are being published almost daily, reported by safety and great clinical success.
Potential risks and benefits
Today, injection of PRP injection treatment has been shown to be highly safe and effective in the majority of patients, and clinical research is continually ongoing and amplifying to boost and promote this natural treatment.
Overall, your clinician will be looking at what may be causing or contributing to your condition (eg hair loss), then determine whether PRP is a good option for you, along with other conservative forms of treatment options. Because PRP is derived from your own blood (meaning autologous), there is very minimal risk of allergic reaction. Indeed, in the literature, side-effects or complications of PRP injections are very rare. The main risk of PRP injection treatment may include local infection or reaction, however, this is extremely rare. We generally tend to see a little bit of mild post-treatment soreness (85% of cases) which is generally short-lived and well tolerated. Of course this to be expected with any injection procedure and generally settles after a couple of hours to a day or so. In 15% of cases, if you get a small reaction, it can be a little bit sore for a few days. Worst case side-effects are obviously, infection, nerve/vessel damage and severe reaction. However, very strict protocols are adopted to minimalise this risk with the best sterile care and cases like this are extremely rare. Fortunately, we can say that in all of our years of practice we have zero reported cases. Headaches are not very often reported, but if they have recorded it is often mild and short lived again. Increased hair loss cases associated with PRP treatment is extremely uncommon and very rarely seen in clinical practice. But if occurs can be due to shock loss or other causes. If this happens or indeed continued 'normal' shedding then further investigations may be warranted.
It is important to appreciate that we can not predict post treatment reaction or hair shedding, as in some very uncommon cases this can unfortunately occur. This being said, we rarely this this (less than 2% of cases). Furthermore, we do our very best to reduce this at all times.
What to know during the procedure
You should limit taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (Ibuprofen) seven days before the procedure, and should not take these medications again for five days following the procedure. Common examples are inclusive of naproxen and aspirin (unless on strict prescription). Non-steroidal medication to work for blocking the action of some of the growth factors present in PRP, this may, but not in all cases, reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
Post procedure guidelines
Generally speaking, the majority of people will carry about their normal business, but taking just keeping the area clean to avoid any risks of infection. Mild post-treatment discomfort should be short lived and well tolerated in most cases. Guidelines post treatment individually based following clinical recommendation.
PRP SAFETY
Complications and risks of this treatment are very uncommon and rare, but as in any treatment, side-effects are always possible.
Infections: fortunately are extremely rare, but if do happen in any case, need to be dealt with very promptly and sometimes with antibiotics.
Contraindications to PRP:
– Acute and chronic infections
– Skin diseases (i.e. SLA, porphyria, allergies)
– Cancer
– Chemotherapy treatments
– Severe metabolic and systemic disorders
– Abnormal platelet function
– Chronic liver pathology
– Anticoagulation treatments
– Underlying sepsis
– Systemic use of corticosteroids within two weeks of the procedure
Results and benefits of PRP treatment
Results are expected to be noticeable following 1 month after treatment, but more importantly continue to improve gradually over a period of 3-6 months. It is, however, of fundamental important all other lifestyles changes are adopted for maximum effect and for the promotion of long term benefits. Advanced conditions are more difficult to treat, like severe hair loss for example.
Diagnostics
Scans, imaging, bloods and other diagnostics will be discussed during your consultation and will be subject to the discretion of your clinician based on clinical assessment and findings. If you however do indeed want further diagnostics carried out before treatment, then yes of course, this most certainly can indeed be carried out. Please do make this apparent at your consultation.
Please do get in touch to find out further information on PRP process, what conditions it may benefit and anything else. We would be more than happy to advise.
Dynamic Regenerative Medicine
01564 330772