Regaining that long sought-after youthful appearance doesn’t have to mean aggressive procedures and long recovery periods. In today’s medical cosmetic space, there are a handful of options for total skin rejuvenation. At Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinics, two particular procedures are well-liked among patients: microneedling and PRP therapy.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a method used by the Dermacare team to turn back the clock on your aging skin. The procedure works by stimulating the collagen beneath the surface to help bring out your beautiful, healthy-looking skin.
During the procedure, Dr. Birchall and our qualified medical team use a pen-shaped device with 12 needles to puncture the deep dermal layers of your skin. These “micro injuries” work by targeting the body’s natural healing process, which then accelerates a healthy cell turnover and collagen production.
What is PRP Therapy?
PRP is short for platelet-rich plasma, which is a group of cells within your blood that contain healthy ingredients, like stem cells and growth factors. These cells are extremely beneficial when it comes to your body’s overall healing process, making them ideal to pair with microneedling for healthy, rejuvenated skin.
To locate the PRP, Dr. Birchall and our team will take a small sample of your blood. The sample is then placed into a centrifuge to separate the PRP from the rest of your blood cells. Once the platelet-rich plasma has been obtained, the team will apply it directly to your skin. The needles will then drive those stem cells and growth factors into your deep dermal layers, accelerating the healthy production of new cells.
The Magic Duo
While microneedling and PRP are two very different procedures, combining them can create the healthy glow you’ve been missing. Here are a three ways PRP therapy can help enhance your microneedling treatment:
- The results are dramatic. Immediately following the procedure, you will leave the office sporting a youthful, healthy glow. Over the next 6-8 weeks, you will continue to see an improvement in your skin’s appearance. The only side effect you may encounter will be skin reddening directly following the treatment. This is normal and may look and feel like a mild sunburn. You can expect any side effects to subside on their own within just a few days.
No pain and a fast recovery. To ensure your total comfort, you will receive a topical anesthetic prior to receiving the treatment. Some patients describe the feeling as sand paper running across their skin, but the needles are moving too quickly to cause you much pain. The combined procedure will only take up about an hour of your time, allowing you get back to your everyday routine almost immediately.There are an array of treatment areas. Both of these procedures can be used on almost any part of the body. Most of the patients treated by Dr. Birchall, however, receive the treatments on their face, neck and chest. Our team recognizes that each patient is unique and recommends combining microneedling with PRP because of their ability to treat many skin issues, including:
- Facial lines and wrinkles
- Enlarged pores
- Shallow scars, including acne scars
- Irregular pigmentation
- Dull skin tones
- Areas of loose skin (in mild to moderate cases)
Self-confidence should be something you experience every day and the team at Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinics want to help make that a reality. To find out more or to see if these treatments are right for you, call Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinics at 858-943-2443 (Rancho Bernardo) or 760-472-5088 (Carlsbad).