Platelet Rich Plasma: Applications and Results

Although platelets have traditionally been considered as the cells responsible for coagulation, their importance in the repair and regeneration of different tissues together with stem cells is currently recognized.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a product derived from the patient’s own blood that has a high concentration of platelets and stem cells. It is, therefore, an autologous product and, precisely for this reason, its application does not cause rejection, since the patient’s body recognizes it as its own.

The regenerative and healing power has made it possible to be an effective treatment to improve the healing of tissues, achieve the elimination of dead cells, reduce inflammation, accelerate and improve healing, stimulate the production of healthy cells, etc.

In general, given its uniqueness and the benefits that its use entails, it is often used in oral and maxillofacial surgery, dentistry, dermatology, neurosurgery, traumatology, sports medicine, ulcer treatments, tissue engineering, etc. And, of course, in medicine and cosmetic surgery, where it is used in various ways: through creams (topical use) or through injections (intradermal use and infiltrations).

Platelet-rich plasma is used in medicine and cosmetic surgery to:

• Increase the luminosity, hydration and elasticity of the skin.
• Reduce the signs of aging (wrinkles, flaccidity …).
• Increase the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid.
• Soften acne scars.
• Minimize rosacea and blemishes.
• Increase hair growth and thickness.
• Accelerate wound healing.
• Improve fatty tissue grafts.
• Regenerate the dermis.
• Increase vascular influx.

Its success is supported by numerous scientific articles, which have studied the benefits of the different applications of platelet-rich plasma in the field of medicine in general, and aesthetics in particular, but even more for the satisfaction of patients.

Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment Results

For platelet-rich plasma to be effective, it must meet a series of parameters that affect its extraction, as well as its preparation and application. For this reason, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products ruled, on May 23, 2013, the guarantees that platelet-rich plasma must meet to guarantee its effectiveness and safety:

• The prescribing doctor will be responsible for the entire procedure . This means that the professional who uses the plasma in a certain treatment has to monitor the extraction process, the subsequent centrifugation that allows the blood to be separated from the plasma and the subsequent injection into the patient’s body.
• Blood collection devices must be closed, sterile, and for single use only.
• Platelet-rich plasma must be prepared with certified, specialized medical devices with full quality assurance (CE marking). This establishes minimum requirements for treatment.
• The manual application technique is more effective than the spray technique, since more than 30% of the product is wasted in the latter.
• As the popular saying goes: “Not all that glitters is gold.” Thus “not all plasma is platelet-rich plasma.” There is a lot of technology and science in the development of a high quality platelet rich plasma that meets all the requirements that are demanded of a medicine and that guarantees patient satisfaction. Hence, it is necessary that we only go to centers specialized in this type of treatment, which have the technical and human means to ensure safe extraction and processing that meets the requirements established by the body in charge of establishing the guidelines for its correct application. .