A new cosmetic procedure that involves using patients' own blood is increasingly becoming popular across the world. The technique, called PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), is said to deliver promising results to those seeking relief from various medical conditions.

PRP is now recognized as one of the most effective anti-aging treatments in the world and because it is non-surgical, the procedure is attracting many clients.

How Does PRP Work?

First, doctors extract blood from the patient. The specimen will then be placed in a centrifuge, where the solid components of the blood will be separated from the liquid elements and platelet activators. The so-called "solid" product is called the PRP.

Platelet is a component of whole blood that is primarily responsible for clotting. The normal level of platelets in humans is between 150,000-350,000. Through the PRP procedure, this level can rise by as much as 10,000 more and works wonders in both tissue and bone healing.

Effects

PRP has various uses, particularly cosmetic ones. Dermatologist Satish Bhatia from south Mumbai said PRP can help rejuvenate the skin and smooth out wrinkles.

For Indian patients, Bhatia said the procedure is being used rampantly for those with problems in their skin tone, tightness, texture, pigmentations, folds and scars.

PRP may also help people with hair problems as it can stimulate hair regrowth. Platelets contain a type of growth factor that promotes hair thickening. Aside from that, it also has a vascular endothelial growth factor that stimulates the release of collagen and elastic fibers, which have strong anti-aging effects.

"Recent researches have proved PRP treatment to be extremely effective in treating male and female pattern baldness and majority of our patients fall into this category," said Bhatia. He added that the appearance of PRP results may range from one to nine months, depending on the current skin state of individuals patients.

More Than Just Cosmetic Purposes

While PRP is popular due to its effective cosmetic effects, doctors said beautification is not the only benefit people can get from the procedure.

For example, 57-year-old Raymond Miller has been experiencing severe pain in his right elbow for years. The discomfort is so disturbing that it reached to a point where he cannot bend enough to touch his right ear.

With a 30-year career as a welder, his condition did not come as a surprise and now his body is starting to wear out.

"I think it was just a matter of wear and tear after 30 years," he said.

Miller then went to see an orthopedist named Michael Redler. He was diagnosed with a medical condition called tennis elbow, alongside a torn tendon. Redler's advice? PRP.

"Basically, what we're doing is concentrating or supercharging the patient's own healing ability," said Redler.

Aside from providing relief for joint problems, PRP is also said to have promising effects for impaired heart tissues, says the World Journal of Cardiology. In addition, scientists from Greece have also performed reviews of researches that looked into the benefits of PRP after heart attacks, which entail heart tissue damage that cannot be repaired by the body alone.

Photo: Ed Uthman | Flickr