We all have platelets in our blood. PRP is 3-step procedure that involves having your blood
- Drawn from your arm
- Placed into a machine that separates the platelets from the rest of your blood
- Re-injected into you (only the part of your blood that contains a high concentration of platelets).
Orthopedic surgeons use PRP to help athletes recover more quickly after an injury.
In dermatology, PRP is being tested as a possible treatment for hair loss and skin rejuvenation.
PRP and Microneedling Combination Therapy for Stretch Marks
When your skin stretches and shrinks quickly, for example in pregnancy or with rapid weight fluctuations, narrow scars called stretch marks can develop. They form most often on the stomach, upper arms, and thighs. This occurs due to the collagen and elastin getting ruptured when the skin is stretched. As the skin heals, stretch marks might appear. Not everyone develops stretch marks. Hormone levels are believed to play a part.
Stretch marks can look unsightly, but treatment can make them less noticeable or make them disappear altogether. One safe and effective treatment for stretch marks is a minimally invasive procedure called microneedling. When microneedling is combined with PRP therapy (platelet-rich plasma), it can give you even better results. Please continue reading to learn more about treating stretch marks with microneedling with PRP.
What Is PRP? What Is Microneedling?
PRP or platelet-rich plasma is a component of your own blood, which when injected into the skin can promote healing and regeneration. The therapy involves taking a small sample of your blood, processing it in a centrifuge machine in the lab to separate the platelet-rich plasma, and re-injecting the PRP into the skin. PRP contains many prominent growth factors that stimulate the proliferation of healthy skin cells. This can boost the anti-stretch marks effects of microneedling and help achieve better results faster.
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that involves applying a microneedling stamp to very fine needles to the skin. The needles create tiny channels (microscopic injuries) in the skin that trigger the skin’s natural healing response. As a result, microneedling induces the formation of new collagen and elastin in the skin. That’s why it is also called collagen induction therapy. By promoting the formation of essential skin proteins collagen and elastin, microneedling can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. The technique involves using different needles for different purposes. Stretch marks treatment requires the use of slightly longer microneedles that can penetrate midway through the dermis.
Why Is PRP And Microneedling Effective For Stretch Marks?
As noted, microneedling opens up micro-channels in the skin. They act like infusion channels and make it easier for skincare products to penetrate. This means after microneedling, stretch marks are more amenable to intensive moisturizing and absorption of nutrients present in topical skin products. If PRP is injected in conjunction with microneedling, it makes growth factors available where they are needed, thus delivering optimal results.
What To Expect During Stretch Marks Treatment With PRP And Microneedling?
Both PRP and microneedling are minimally-invasive procedures. They are performed in the office and are associated with minimal discomfort and no downtime. You can return to your normal activities right away. The treatments are safe for all skin types and colors.
How Soon Does PRP And Microneedling Make Stretch Marks Disappear?
PRP and Microneedling takes a few weeks to show results. This is because the body needs time to form new collagen in the treated skin. You will keep seeing improvement in your stretch marks in the weeks following the treatment. Keep in mind, however, that more than one treatment may be necessary to see results from PRP with microneedling. More prominent stretch marks can take longer to respond to treatment. Also, results can vary from person to person. You may not have complete disappearance of your stretch marks, but they will become less noticeable after the treatments.
What Are The Side Effects Of PRP And Microneedling?
Recovery after PRP and microneedling is usually very quick. There can be some mild tenderness, soreness, and bruising at the treatment site, but this typically clears in a few hours to a few days. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen to relieve any discomfort. Other side effects may include swelling, oozing, or a mild flare-up of acne. Side effects tend to be minor and temporary when the procedure is done by a certified and experienced provider.
Is PRP And Microneedling Safe For Stretch Marks?
Both procedures carry minimal risks when performed by a qualified professional. However, microneedling does create tiny holes in the skin. Very rarely, this can lead to an infection due to the introduction of bacteria. In some people, the treatment can cause an outbreak of herpes simplex virus (cold sores). If you are prone to cold sores outbreaks, we can give you an antiviral medication as a preventative.
PRP treatment is generally safe because it uses your own blood. There is a very low risk of allergic reaction or exposure to communicable diseases.
Provided you follow post-procedure instructions carefully, the risk of complications after microneedling and PRP is small.
You may not be deemed a good candidate for these treatments if you have active skin inflammation, infection, or an ongoing acne outbreak. It may also not be advisable for people with skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea. At RejuvaYou Medical, we evaluate you very carefully before recommending any treatment.
Why Choose PRP And Microneedling For Stretch Marks?
There are many creams, lotions, and gels to treat stretch marks that are available on the market. While they may work for some people, many of them do not provide any dramatic improvement in the skin. Studies have shown that common remedies like cocoa butter, vitamin E, olive oil, and almond oil don’t do anything to prevent or treat stretch marks. Dermarollers for use at home usually have very small needles (for safety purposes). As a result, the channels they create in the skin are quite superficial, and consequently, the results are not as noticeable as professional microneedling for stretch marks. Some people even try tanning to camouflage stretch marks. However, tanning does not get rid of stretch marks and can make them more obvious because the stretch marks do not tan along with the surrounding skin.
If you would like to discuss minimally-invasive treatment options for stretch marks in more detail, please book a consultation at Mira Skin Care center. We offer a free evaluation to determine if microneedling and PRP can help get rid of stretch marks in your skin. Call us today and we will be happy to answer your questions about microneedling with PRP stretch marks treatment.
