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Platelets and Process of Rejuvenation and Tissue Repair

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Platelets and Process of Rejuvenation and Tissue Repair

Platelets, one of three major blood cells, play a key role in natural process of repair, healing and rejuvenation of damaged tissue. The entire process occurs over time by utilizing effects of several factors contained in platelets.

To make it understandable here is the most simplified explanation: a damaged tissue (whether damaged by sun, physical trauma, burn, heart attack or stroke) sends a signal to the rest of your body that help is needed to rescue the area. Many different cells participating in tissue repair, from nearby cells to those circulating in blood, receive the signal and begin aggregating at the site of damage. One of the most important are the platelets, a normal constituent of our blood. Platelets aggregate in damaged area and release the “healing” factors that begin process of reparation. The process is quite long since your body can only bring a limited number of platelets to the damaged site.

PRP is a process of concentrating platelets obtained from your own blood. It requires blood to be span down in a special centrifuge, preferably twice, with red blood cells and white blood cells being discarded. What’s left are very concentrated platelets that are injected to the site of damage. The concentration of platelets in PRP is several times higher than what body can deliver. By enhancing the body’s natural healing capacity, PRP injection leads to a rapid, efficient, and thorough restoration of tissue to its healthy state.

The concentrated platelets contain numerous factors participating in healing, repair, tissue rejuvenation and attracting stem cells to the area of injury. These “healing” factors stimulate proliferation of mesenchymal cells, stimulate extracellular matrix production, including collagen, and increase angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) allowing rapid healing of injuries.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has become the ultimate biological treatment for injuries in Sport Medicine , Orthopedic, Cardiovascular Surgery, Oral Surgery and in Veterinary Medicine. Although PRP has made its entry to the Aesthetic Medicine relatively late it has quickly become one of the most effective procedures in skin rejuvenation.

Two major indications for use PRP in Aesthetic Medicine are skin rejuvenation, hair restoration and to extend the longevity of dermal fillers.

The process involves drawing 2 small tubes of blood and spinning them at the very high centrifugal forces. At the Visage, we spin the blood twice, each time discarding unnecessary components. Once the process is completed the remaining concentrated platelets are transferred to syringes and are ready for injection.

The injections may involve either the areas of concern only or the entire face. Numerous injections, mostly superficial, are spaced 1/2 – 1/3 inches apart.

Following the injections, there is no specific aftercare and you may return to your normal daily activities. The process of rejuvenation has begun

Frequency of PRP injections

How often to have the PRP injections to achieve the best results depends on the condition of your skin. On average, 4 sessions every 4-6 weeks are optimal with maintenance injections every 8 – 12 months.             This method provides the best long term results with no downtime and is apreferred rejuvenation technique for active individuals as well as the celebrities; it has replaced the majority of more aggressive rejuvenation procedure such as the CO2 laser resurfacing.

If the skin sustained a significant chronic sun damage associated with extensive wrinkling and laxity, the PRP injections can be used together with topical application during aggressive micro-needling.

In summary, PRP has become one of very few aesthetic procedures that provides universal benefits to anyone interested in skin rejuvenation. It is 100% natural, does not have any contraindications and no downtime

Botox, Dysport or Xeomin?

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Which one is better, Botox, Dysport or Xeomin? Does Botox last longer than the other two?

Which one is safer? These questions continue to be asked by many confused patients. Reading articles in various publication, studying marketing material or browsing through medical websites one may come to the conclusion that all of them are, somehow, different. Moreover, the comments made by some doctors appear to be in line with their preferred manufacturers’ claims which, not surprisingly, is a testament to the power of marketing!

The clinical evidence, however, points in the opposite direction. Several independent studies revealed beyond any doubt that there is no difference between Botox, Dysport and Xeomin in regard to their effect and duration.

The confusion of initial reports in early 2000’s was   caused by misinterpretation of the data coming from studies comparying different botulinum toxins using different dosages and concentrations. By 2009 the confusion was cleared with studies comparying diffusion, or spread, the effect and duration of toxins injected at identical concentration and dosage.

The most extensive clinical study done by Michael Kane, MD, arguably the most knowledgable clinician and leading authority on the subject in the US. He compared the effect of Botox and Xeomin administered to the “frowning” muscles in identical concentrations and at the same doses ( 25 units). The progress and results were monitored after 30 , 60 , 90 and 120 days. No difference was found in the effect, duration and side effects between Botox and Xeomine. Although the onset of effect was seen somewhat sooner with Xeomin, the difference was of minimal concern.

Interestingly, a study on Botox only, manufactured in 5 different countires, showed differences in diffusion and effect in patients treated for hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating).

There is, however, one difference between Botox, Dysport and Xeomin that may be of importance to some patients. It is related to the residual protein complexes present in Botox and Dysport but absent in Xeomin. These “impurities” are remnants of the manufacturing process.

Although the presence of residual protein complexes does not affect the diffusion or duration of the effect it plays a role in developing allergic reactions to Botox and/or Dysport. On rare occasions the allergic reaction could be life-threatening. Since Xeomin contains only pure botulinum toxin and no residuals the allergic reaction to proteins does not occur.

In summary, there is no difference in effectiveness and duration of Botox, Dysport, Xeomin IF they are administered in the same concentration and at the identical doses. However, from the point of view of purity and potential for allergic reaction, or resistance, Xeomin is unquestionably the best choice.