Have you noticed the increasing buzz around microneedling with PRP lately? As an avid skincare aficionado, I’m always on top of the latest and greatest trends and techniques. When I first heard about PRP microneedling, I’ll admit – it piqued my curiosity. The name alone sounds intriguing!
As it turns out, there’s good reason for all the hype. Microneedling alone provides excellent skin rejuvenation results by stimulating your body’s natural healing processes.
Pair it with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and you’ve got yourself a powerful anti-aging treatment that can transform lackluster skin. I wondered, is PRP microneedling worth it?
Intrigued and want to know more? You’ve come to the right place! Below I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this buzzworthy skin rejuvenation treatment. From how it works to what you can expect, we’ll cover all the basics. Let’s dive in!
What is Microneedling with PRP?
Microneedling with PRP is a minimally invasive treatment that combines two revolutionary techniques:
- Microneedling: Also known as collagen induction therapy, micro-needling creates tiny openings in the skin using superfine needles. This kickstarts the skin’s self-repair mode, boosting collagen and elastin production.
- PRP: Platelet-rich plasma extracted from your blood. It’s chock-full of growth factors and healing properties. When applied to the skin, it provides a mega-dose of rejuvenating and repairing nutrients.
By combining these two modalities, microneedling with PRP provides enhanced anti-aging and skin rejuvenation benefits. There are many PRP microneedling benefits for those looking to turn back the clock.
It’s one of the latest tools in the aesthetic medicine toolbox and an excellent option for those looking to turn back the clock.
PRP microneedling benefits
What can you expect with microneedling paired with PRP? The benefits are numerous! First and foremost, it stimulates collagen production and healthy skin cell turnover for smoother, brighter, firmer skin. Those pesky signs of aging – fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots – will start to diminish.
Second, it tackles textural irregularities, improving the overall look and feel of your skin. Acne scarring, surgical scars, and more will become less noticeable. Third, it enhances product absorption. All those fancy skincare products you use daily will penetrate better and work even harder!
Some added bonuses: it evens skin tone, tackles hyperpigmentation, minimizes pores, increases elasticity and hydration, and gives skin an overall healthy glow.
With all those impressive benefits, it’s easy to see why microneedling with PRP has grown so popular! The PRP microneedling price typically ranges from $600-$1200 per session.
How does PRP microneedling work?
Now that you know the myriad of skin rewards it offers, let’s look at what the process entails. Here are the basic steps:
- Blood draw First: A small amount of your blood is drawn, usually from the arm. This is spun in a centrifuge to separate and extract the platelet-rich plasma (aka liquid gold!).
- Topical numbing: A topical numbing agent is applied for maximum comfort. This keeps you blissfully relaxed as those tiny needles do their work.
- Microneedling: Using a pen-like device equipped with ultra-fine needle tips, the surface of the skin is gently punctured in a polka dot fashion. The tiny injuries signal your body to shift into healing mode.
- PRP application: After the microneedling, the PRP is massaged into the skin’s surface. This supplies a highly concentrated dose of growth factors and nutrients that amplify your natural repair response.
- Healing: Over the next few days, your body works its magic to heal and fortify, resurfacing fresh new skin. Some redness, swelling, and tenderness are normal during the recovery phase. Within about a week your complexion looks rejuvenated and luminous.
Who is a Good Candidate for microneedling with PRP?
The best part about microneedling with PRP is that it works well for all skin types and colors. People with the following skin concerns tend to benefit most from this rejuvenating combo treatment:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Dull, uneven complexion
- Enlarged pores
- Sunspots and hyperpigmentation
- Acne scars
- Skin laxity
Essentially, if your skin needs some TLC and you want to restore a fresher, smoother, more youthful appearance this treatment checks all the boxes.
Both women and men can achieve fantastic results. The only caveat is that if you have a history of a bleeding disorder, your provider will likely advise against using your own plasma.
Interested? Schedule a consult. A knowledgeable esthetician can give personalized advice and let you know if you’re a good candidate.
What to Expect During Recovery?
You’ll be glad to know that recovery from microneedling with PRP is fairly quick and easy. Here’s an idea of what you can expect over the next several days:
- Day 1
Immediately afterwards your skin will be red and flushed, similar to a moderate sunburn. It may feel extra sensitive, swollen, and tight. Cold compresses help enormously with discomfort and inflammation.
- Days 2-4
Expect to rock the sunburnt look for 2 to 4 days. Tiny scabs may form which resolve into a gritty, sandpapery texture. Your complexion will darken temporarily due to micro-bruising and trauma from the treatment. Cold compresses, arnica gel, and over-the-counter pain relievers keep you comfortable during peak redness.
- Days 5-7
Here’s when things start looking up! Skin becomes less angry and you’ll notice a marked improvement in tone, texture, and color. Stay diligent with sun protection until skin reacclimates.
- 1- 2+ Weeks
Now we’re talking! You’ll start to see and feel the regenerative, collagen-boosting results. Skin plumps up, while fine lines become less noticeable. That natural glow returns as fresh cells hydrate and renew the complexion.
What’s the Ideal Treatment Plan?
Treatment plans vary slightly depending on individual needs and goals. That said, most providers recommend a series of 2 to 4 treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart for best results. Maintenance sessions every 4 to 6 months help sustain that dewy, youthful complexion long term. Consistency is key!
The treatment itself only takes about 30 to 90 minutes per session, making it super convenient to fit into your schedule. Combine that with little to no downtime and you’ve got a no-brainer for gorgeous skin!
How Much Does PRP Microneedling Cost?
I won’t sugarcoat it – microneedling paired with PRP sits on the pricier end of esthetic treatments. However, the outstanding, natural-looking results continue for months and months, making them well worth the investment.
Each session costs between $600 – $1200+, depending on your geographic location and provider protocols. Since you’ll need multiple treatments, expect to spend around $2500 or more for the complete series.
Many practices offer bundled pricing and monthly payment plans to help offset the costs. Specials and seasonal promos provide additional opportunities for savings.
is PRP microneedling worth it?
For the treatment of atrophic acne scars, PRP in combination with microneedling is more beneficial than microneedling in conjunction with vitamin C.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, microneedling with PRP brings skin rejuvenation to the next level. This reparative duo works synergistically to smooth lines and wrinkles, firm loose skin, even complexion, and tone, minimize scars, and fully transform lackluster skin.
Recovery time flies by with minimal discomfort. Once healed, the long-lasting enhancements to tone, texture, brightness, and firmness continue for months on end.
While more intensive and pricey than simpler treatments like microneedling alone, incorporating PRP propels results to new heights. This positions combo therapy among the most powerful anti-aging tools available today.
After learning all about this skin-renewing technique, has it piqued your interest enough to give it a whirl? Let me know in the comments your thoughts on PRP microneedling hair growth results and whether PRP microneedling is worth it based on the PRP microneedling benefits you have seen.
References
- HesselerMJ, et al. (2019). Platelet-rich plasma and its utility in the treatment of acne scars: A systematic review. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2018.11.029 - Ault P, et al. (2018). Scar massage for hypertrophic burns scarring – a systematic review [abstract].
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28669442
