It has been one full month since “I got down” with a PRP and microneedling treatment at the biostation. I gave a teaser in a previous post and the whole rundown on this procedure and its benefits on the bioBlog. The most intriguing thing to keep in mind is that Platelet-Rich Plasma is a is a regenerative therapy. This means that the benefits are cumulative over time – anywhere from 9-12 months!
What to Expect
Warning: The following video does contain needles. Don’t be squeamish!
Real Talk
I walked into the treatment nearly blind and trusting the process. I felt comfortable with my understanding of the microneedling treatment but was very intrigued with PRP. Kim K’s Vampire Facial happened over 4 years ago! I knew that this procedure must have evolved and perfected by now for optimal results. My biggest surprise? The topical numbing took 30-45 minutes to prepare for the treatment. While I was numbing, they drew my blood and placed it in the centrifuge to extract the platelet-rich plasma. The blood draw and PRP prep took all of maybe 10 minutes. So come prepared to play Candy Crush or sit around and look pretty before your treatment is underway. This step is an important one but not a norm when you think of a traditional facial treatment. Yet, there’s nothing normal about a cutting-edge treatment, eh? I have never had to numb for a microdermabrasion or photo facial so it hadn’t even crossed my mind.
After the numbing agent was cleaned off and the skin is prepped for treatment, the rest of the procedure took just about 20-30 minutes. You can easily set aside 1.5 hours for this procedure from start to finish. It is also strongly advised to keep the PRP solution on your face for the next 4-6 hour after treatment. You want to ensure that the solution has ample opportunity to penetrate the skin. Don’t expect to take a shower or apply makeup immediately after your treatment. I would suggest booking it for a late afternoon Thursday or Friday treatment so you can take a low key weekend to recover.
There is something else to keep in mind. PRP is harnessing your body’s richest blood platelets to repair yourself naturally. Not only does that mean that there is no fear or allergic reaction, as you may experience with chemical peels, but also that you should prep yourself accordingly. You want to eat well, avoid alcohol and fuel yourself to produce the most nutrient-rich blood you can offer. You only get out it what you put in it.
Day After
The day immediately following my treatment, I was noticeably swollen. My co-worker didn’t know that I had a treatment and just thought that I had suffered from an allergic reaction. I didn’t think that I looked like Hitch! The biggest discomfort attributed to that inflammation was bending over. I made a conscious effort not to tie my shoes or pick up something from the ground. That all subsided 48 hours after treatment. I was informed that “inflammation is the cause for correction.” The entire procedure I had undergone was purposely causing controlled trauma to trigger a natural response to repair and restore collagen. No pain, no gain. But honestly, I wasn’t even in pain. Aside from the puffy face, I had suffered no bruising or visible trauma. Some patients appear to have a mild or severe sunburn for the days following treatment. I guess I have that good, thick skin!
Month After
It took nearly 2 days after my treatment for the famous “glow” to come in. I have a naturally oily complexion but this “glow” is something else! I had heard about people having PRP to restore a dull complexion and now I know exactly why! Let’s review, immediately after you’re puffed out so fine lines and wrinkles are minimized and soon after you’re shining from the inside out. What is not to love about this complexion revival?! I personally struggled with skin tone and texture on my chin and week after week I monitor improvement there. I am patient enough to appreciate the changes as they appear over the next couple of months.
