If you’re hoping to improve signs of aging while supporting the health of your skin at the same time, you may want to consider PRP microneedling. This minimally-invasive treatment is very versatile. It uses your body’s ability to heal itself to improve various skin concerns. At Revive MD Center in Glen Allen, VA, we’re pleased to offer this treatment and to go over any questions you have about it.
What Are the Benefits of PRP Microneedling?
Better Together
Microneedling on its own can be very beneficial, as can PRP. But when these two treatments are combined to make PRP microneedling, it can improve on the benefits you’d get from either treatment on its own.
Microneedling creates small channels throughout the skin, which prepares the skin to absorb any applied treatment much more effectively. In this case, that would be the PRP serum. This combination treatment can be an excellent alternative to more invasive options, while still providing impressive results.
PRP Regeneration
If you haven’t heard of PRP, you may be unaware of its regenerative abilities. PRP is short for platelet-rich plasma. It’s a serum derived from the patient’s blood. When the blood sample is processed in a centrifuge machine, it separates into various layers. The PRP layer is packed full of platelets, nutrients, and growth factors that promote healing and regeneration.
In fact, PRP is sometimes injected into joints to help fight against osteoarthritis, or muscles to help promote healing after an injury. When it comes to cosmetic uses, microneedling allows the PRP to reach deep into the skin for powerful rejuvenation.
Versatile Options
This treatment encourages elastin and collagen production, while also promoting healthy skin circulation and structure. This can be beneficial to almost any area of the body. Some of the areas we can treat include the following:
- The face
- The neck
- The chest
- The abdomen
- The back
- The legs
- The hands and fingers
Crucial Collagen
You may hear microneedling referred to as collagen induction therapy since it’s well known for its collagen-boosting abilities. You may also be wondering why this is so important. Collagen, along with elastin, helps your skin regenerate itself at a healthy rate and maintain a smooth texture and elasticity. When collagen levels begin to fall, the skin can’t keep up with proper regeneration. This can lead to skin laxity and texture issues.
Microneedling triggers your body’s healing response and encourages collagen production all throughout the treated areas. If age or sun damage has affected your skin’s collagen levels, you can give them a boost and help your skin look naturally younger with PRP microneedling.
What Can I Have Treated With PRP Microneedling?
Acne Scars
Dealing with acne is bad enough, but many patients are discouraged to find that after the worst of their acne years are over, they’re left with acne battle scars. Sometimes these scars will get better with time, but they could also linger for years or become permanent. If you haven’t noticed your acne scars improving and find yourself frustrated with ineffective salves and over-the-counter treatments, you may want to consider microneedling with PRP.
A treatment series is often helpful for acne scars, and each treatment should fade the scars and encourage smooth, healthy skin in their place. The customizable nature of the treatment helps us adjust the device for your needs.
Stretch Marks
Did you know stretch marks are considered a type of scar? They can appear due to rapid changes to the skin, which can rupture the collagen and elastin that support our skin. Some patients develop stretch marks during puberty as they grow, while other patients may develop stretch marks due to weight fluctuations or pregnancy.
Stretch marks tend to be permanent if left on their own, but treatment can help improve their appearance. If you’re unhappy with the severity of your stretch marks, encouraging new collagen production throughout the area can help your skin regenerate. This should make the stretch marks fade over time, especially with repeated treatments.
Skin Texture
If you’ve noticed your skin is lacking the youthful glow it used to have, this treatment can help you regain a more healthy complexion. Whether you want to address specific texture issues or just want your skin to be more soft and smooth, microneedling with PRP can help you get there.
The skin is a hard-working organ, and all that hard work can start to take its toll over time. The PRP can give your skin the nutrients it’s craving, while microneedling can give it a helping hand with professional exfoliation and regeneration.
Lines and Wrinkles
No matter how well you protect your skin, eventually it will begin to show the effects of age. Around the age of 25, the body tends to produce less collagen per year. That means in addition to texture concerns, wrinkles and fine lines may start to arrive in the late 20s and early 30s.
If you want to manage fine lines or improve the appearance of wrinkles, supporting your skin’s structure and increasing your collagen production can help your skin gain a more healthy and more youthful appearance.
Skin Damage
It can be very beneficial to spend time in the great outdoors. Nothing feels much better than some fresh air and warm sun. That said, if you’re not careful to protect your skin, you could wind up with sun damage. Sun damage is known to age skin faster. It can contribute to uneven pigmentation, skin texture issues, and wrinkle development.
If you’ve noticed some signs of sun damage, a few PRP microneedling treatments can make a big difference. This can help replace your damaged skin with new, healthy skin cells.
Enlarged Pores
Pores don’t actually grow, but they can get stretched out or appear larger due to several factors. First off, while exfoliation can be helpful in managing a buildup of oil and debris, exfoliating at home isn’t always able to completely clear out your pores. You also have to be careful with it, as going too overboard with exfoliation could damage your skin.
Microneedling can be used as a safe, professional exfoliation. It helps make sure there’s nothing trapped in your pores, which can help them return to their normal size. Pores can also begin to look larger as the skin loses elasticity. As gravity pulls on the skin, your pores may stretch out in response. Both microneedling and PRP can help fight against skin laxity and improve your elastin levels, so your pores will be encouraged to tighten back up.
Uneven Pigmentation
Age spots and hyperpigmentation are common issues and can show up early due to sun damage. Pigmentation issues can look like areas of the skin that are a different shade than the surrounding skin, or part of the skin that has grown red from sun exposure. As new skin regeneration is encouraged, this treatment can help even out your complexion.
What Can I Expect During Treatment?
The Process
A skin exam will help us understand your needs, so we’ll know how to adjust the microneedling device. We can then apply a topical gel, and gently glide the microneedling device across the targeted areas. Everything from the depth of the needles to the speed of the device is tailored to your needs.
If you choose to combine PRP with your treatment, we will use a small sample of your blood to create the PRP solution. Depending on the area you’re treating, most patients are done with their appointment in well under an hour.
The Results
Most patients are able to notice benefits within a few days of their first treatment. Since it encourages collagen production, your results will continue to improve for several months as your collagen levels rise.
This treatment is considered very safe. We use tiny, disposable needles to ensure the treatment is sterile, and a protective sleeve for the device to prevent cross-contamination. The PRP is made from your own blood sample, and the treatment, from beginning to end, is highly customizable. PRP microneedling is a wonderful way to give your face a boost with minimal hassle.
Is Your Skin Ready for Some TLC?
Microneedling with PRP is a great way to pamper your skin, but we offer other treatments as well. When you visit us for a consultation, we’ll walk through your goals and expectations. This will help us recommend the right treatment for you; we want you to be thrilled with your results. Reach out to us at Revive MD Center in Glen Allen, VA, today to get that consultation set up and to learn more.
