PRP Gainesville FL Platelet Rich Plasma

What is PRP Platelet Rich Plasma?

“At VIP Health and Laser, we draw enough blood to produce highly concentrated PRP at least between 6-8 times or more the normal concentration of platelets. If your provider is not drawing more than 20 ml of blood to make PRP, you will not likely receive adequate concentration of platelets to achieve a benefit from the PRP.”

–Physician Assistant at VIP Health and Laser

PRP is the abbreviation for platelet rich plasma. PRP is a new regenerative treatment now offered at VIP Health and Laser in Gainesville, FL for many health conditions. PRP injections are made by drawing your own blood which is spun in a centrifuge to collect a high concentration of platelets. This PRP is then applied topically or injected into the desired area of the body. After the PRP is injected, the concentrated platelets release growth factors which stimulate body tissues to regenerate and heal. PRP Gainesville FL injections are now being used to treat a wide variety of health problems.

What is PRP used for?

PRP has been used topically for the face after microneedling for facial skin rejuvenation. PRP injections can be placed under the eyes to reduce puffiness, dark circles, or bags. PRP is now being used for hair loss in both men and women. PRP injection is being used to treat sexual dysfunction in both men and women. When PRP is used for erectile dysfunction, it is commonly known as the P-shot. When used for female sexual dysfunction, it is known as the O-shot. It is also being used as a joint injection to heal joint pains in arthritis and other chronic musculoskeletal problems.

How is PRP Prepared?

PRP is prepared using your own blood in a specific manner to concentrate platelets. Whole blood is drawn into a sterile tube and placed in a centrifuge. This causes the red blood cells to collect in the bottom of the tube. The clear plasma on top contains platelets. This clear yellow fluid is extracted and the red blood cells are discarded. The clear plasma and platelets are then spun again in the centrifuge. The plasma at the surface is known as platelet poor plasma, or PPP. A certain volume of PPP is discarded. The remaining yellow fluid resting at the bottom of the tube contains concentrated platelets. When the yellow fluid and platelets are stirred, the remaining product is the PRP

Not All PRP is Created Equal!

Most treatments require 60 ml of blood to be drawn. This volume of blood will yield about 8 ml of PRP. This PRP will contain about 6 times the normal number of platelets. Our clinic protocol follows the highest standards in concentrating the platelets from your own blood to produce PRP with 6 times the normal platelet concentration. Treatments using PRP with a low platelet concentration contain less growth factors and therefore will produce a much lower rate of treatment success. Each 10 ml of blood will only produce about 1.3 ml of PRP containing concentrated platelets. At VIP Health and Laser, we draw enough blood to produce highly concentrated PRP between 6-8 times the normal concentration of platelets. If your provider is not drawing more than 20 ml of blood to make PRP, you will not likely receive adequate concentration of platelets to achieve a benefit from the PRP. The 20 ml of blood produces only 3 ml of PRP.

Is PRP Approved by the FDA?

PRP is produced from your own blood and therefore, it is safe and there are minimal side effects. PRP is a new treatment with more research being completed every month as time goes by. PRP is not approved by the FDA, but research on PRP is showing an increasing number of benefits for many conditions.

Is PRP Safe?

PRP is made using your own blood. It is a low risk treatment with little pain and few side effects. It is safe if strict sterile technique is used to prepare the PRP. PRP which is prepared using a closed separation system can help prevent contamination. There is a low possibility that an infection can occur at the injection site. Other possible side effects include pain, swelling , or bleeding from injections.

How does PRP work?

When PRP is properly made, it contains a high concentration of platelets which are injected into the treatment site. These platelets are either activated naturally or can be activated by a solution of calcium chloride. Once the platelets are injected and activated, they begin to break down and release growth factors. There are over 30 growth factors which have been identified in platelets. Examples include platelet derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Growth factors encourage growth of blood vessels, improve wound healing, helps different types of cells proliferate, stimulates cell growth, regenerates tissues, and works to heal injuries.

PRP Gainesville FL Facial “Vampire Facial”

The microneedling facial with PRP or the “Vampire Facial” was made popular by Kim Kadashian. A procedure uses extremely small needles to create microchannels in the skin. PRP is then applied over the skin which permeates into the small channels. The PRP then releases the growth factors to help the skin renew and regenerate. A microneedling facial with PRP is used to treat acne scars, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, reduce pore size, and improve stretch marks. Microneedling every month for 4 treatments done with or without PRP can significantly improve the appearance of the skin.

PRP Gainesville FL for Hair Loss

According to Medscape, hair loss related to androgen hormonal influence occurs in 50% of men and 13% in women. It also has a link to genetics. PRP hair restoration is one of the modern options used in hair restoration clinics to reverse hair loss. PRP is known in research to stimulate hair to grow in dormant follicles and increase hair thickness in thinning hair. PRP can either be injected directly or applied after microneedling on the scalp. Both of these methods have shown to restore hair growth.

To get started, it is best to evaluate your hair loss by coming in for a free consultation. For the procedure, a small amount of PRP is injected with a tiny needle every square centimeter in the affected areas under the scalp at the site of hair follicles.

The PRP contains concentrated platelets which release growth factors. These growth factors stimulate new blood vessel formation and activate hair follicles to start an active growth phase. This treatment is typically done every 4-6 weeks for at least 3 treatments, but 6 is more ideal. Each one takes about an hour. Most will see an improvement at 3 1/2 months after the sessions. The average improvement at 3 1/2 months after 3 treatments is an increase in 40 terminal hairs per square centimeter.

Patients that have not had any treatments for hair loss typically experience an average loss of 5 terminal hairs per square cm every 3 months. As PRP treatments continue for another 3 months, improvement will continue and maximum benefit can be reached with more treatments. Our treatment protocol is based on the most recent quality research showing the greatest benefit after comparing PRP treatments with baseline. After 4-6 sessions, PRP can be continued every 6 months for maintenance and sustained improvement.

PRP for Arthritis in the Knees and Other Joints

PRP can be injected safely into joints to stimulate growth in injured tissues. It can also be useful for osteoarthritis pain management. PRP may also help improve joint function even for months after the procedure is done.

PRP for Erectile Dysfunction “a.k.a. P-Shot, Priapus Shot or M-Shot”

Erectile dysfunction can be an emotionally stressful problem for the sexually active male. The P-Shot involves placement of PRP injections into specific areas of the penis. PRP is believed to work by increasing blood flow, and initiating the healing process. Nourishment from growth factors in the PRP stimulate erections to become harder and longer lasting. The PRP P-Shot treatment results can last up to 2 years. Read more here about erectile dysfunction treatments such as shockwave, Gaineswave, or medications.

PRP for Female Sexual Enhancement “a.k.a. O-Shot”

The O-Shot is believed to work similar in women by stimulation of sensitive erectile tissue. The PRP for this procedure is injected into both the G spot in the upper vagina and directly into the clitoris. The PRP contains growth factors which can improve female performance by increasing blood flow and rejuvenating healthy vaginal tissue. The PRP O-Shot treatment results can last for up to 2 years.

PRP for Under the Eyes

PRP injections are known in research to improve festoons by nourishing the area with growth factors. These are also known as “eye bags” or “puffy eyes.” PRP has the ability to rejuvenate and tighten these areas.

Is PRP Right for You?

You are welcome to book a no cost consultation for PRP Gainesville FL at VIP Health and Laser to find out if PRP can help you. We will take the time to explain how PRP works. Beware that many practices use PRP with a low concentration of platelets which will not produce the amazing results seen when using the highly concentrated PRP which we produce. We will also explain all of the risks and benefits to PRP as well as the risks and benefits for all of the other options that will help. This consultation will provide you the information that you need in order to make the best decision.

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