What Is PRP?

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is a component of your bloodinvolved in tissue healing and regeneration.

PRP treatments requires a small blood sample to be collected and centrifuged, which separates and concentrates the plateletsand plasma.

The PRP can then be injected directly into targeted areas of the skin or combined with medical microneedling.

Once introduced into the treatment area, platelets release signaling molecules and growth factors that participate in tissue repair, vascular signaling, and collagen remodeling.

Over the following weeks and months, the goal is gradual improvement in skin quality, texture, firmness, and overall appearance.

That slower progression is also one of the reasons many patients love it: the results tend to look subtle and natural rather than dramatically different overnight.

What Happens to Our Skin as We Age?

By the age of 25 our collagen synthesis starts to decline by approximately 1% per year, decline can be accelerated even further with UV exposure, smoking, chronic inflammation and menopause.  Collagen and elastin provide the structure and firmness we associate with youthful skin. Over time this decline can contribute to, fine lines, loss of firmness, change in texture, uneven tone and loss of facial volume.

This is where regenerative aesthetics such as PRP can be particularly valuable. Instead of simply covering or temporarily altering the appearance of aging, treatments such as PRP and microneedling encourage the skin to remodel itself and naturally increase collagen that has been lost over time.

PRP vs. Botox: Which Should You Choose?

Botox improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by temporarily reducing movement of facial muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles such as forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet.

PRP does not freeze or relax facial muscles. Instead, its purpose is to improve the quality of the skin itself. By stimulating collagen production and improving thickness and elasticity of skin.

PRP may be the better treatment to consider when your primary concerns are:

• Thin or crepey skin
• Fine lines related to declining skin quality
• Texture or acne scarring
• Dullness
• Under-eye skin quality
• Maintaining natural facial movement
• Supporting collagen production

Botox may be more appropriate when the primary concern is a wrinkle caused by repetitive muscle movement.

In many cases, it doesn’t have to be an either/or decision. A conservative amount of neuromodulator can address muscle-related wrinkles while PRP improves the health and appearance of the overlying skin. Working with both products often gives a natural looking result.

PRP vs. Dermal Filler

Dermal filler is designed primarily to replace or create volume and provide structural contouring. It can be extremely effective when volume loss is the main reason an area looks aged.

PRP has a different purpose, rather than placing a HA beneath the skin to create immediate volume, PRP stimulates biological processes involved in tissue repair and remodeling.

PRP is a great alternative when a patient is wanting a subtle change, prefer to minimize synthetic injectable materials, or are noticing early signs of aging without significant volume loss.

PRP for tear trough loss of volume/hollowing of eyes has become very popular as an alternative to undereye filler as it does not carry some of the negative effects that can be associated with undereye filler such as persistent swelling.  

Why We Often Combine PRP With Microneedling

One of our favourite regenerative combinations at AE.r Skinlabis PRP with microneedling.

Microneedling creates thousands of controlled microchannels in the skin, initiating a wound-healing response that stimulates collagen and elastin remodeling.

Adding PRP complements this process by delivering concentrated platelets and growth factors derived from your own blood.

This combination can be particularly useful for:

• Acne scars
• Fine lines
• Enlarged pores
• Uneven texture
• Early skin laxity
• Dullness
• Preventative skin rejuvenation

When Should You Start PRP?

One of the best things about PRP is it can be used as a preventative treatment. You don’t need to wait until significant signs of aging appear before booking your first appointment.

PRP can be used both preventatively and restoratively.

Patients in their late 20s and 30s may consider regenerative treatments to support collagen production, improve texture, address acne scarring, or maintain skin quality.

In the 40s, 50s, and beyond, PRP can become part of a broader treatment plan designed to address thinning skin, fine lines, texture changes, and declining collagen. 

If you would like to learn more about PRP treatments and its benefits, book a consultation to discover whether it’s the right regenerative treatment for you.