Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an anti-aging treatment that uses growth factors produced by platelets in your blood. In your body, platelets and other cells migrate to sites of injury and release growth factors that initiate and promote tissue healing. By concentrating platelets at the site of injury, this treatment enhances the body's natural capacity for healing and regeneration. PRP therapy can be applied anywhere on the body, including the face, scars, stretch marks, and areas of hair loss.

The Selphyl® system safely and quickly prepares a Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM) from a small sample of blood. After removing all contaminating cells, PRP is isolated from the blood sample. PRP is then converted to PRFM by creating a three-dimensional scaffold that preserves platelets at the site of injection. Over a sustained period of time, these protected platelets release healing growth factors.

Growth factors are proteins with regenerating and wound-healing capabilities that are produced by specific cells in our body, including platelets. These growth factors stimulate proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, cells which produce collagen and elastin. They enhance the repair of damaged tissue, attract undifferentiated stem cells into the injected area, and trigger cell division.

The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes. First, a small volume of blood (10 ml) is drawn into a collection tube. The blood is then centrifuged for 6 minutes to separate out the plasma/platelet suspension, with the unwanted red and white blood cells located below the cell separator gel. Next, the platelets and plasma are transferred to a second vacuum tube containing a small amount of calcium chloride, which initiates fibrin polymerization. The PRP remains liquid for about 10 minutes before forming PRFM, which is then ready for therapeutic usage.

The total number of treatments needed depends on each individual patient and the desired cosmetic outcome.

Because PRP is derived from the patient's own body, there is no danger of allergic or foreign-body reactions. There have been no known side effects associated with Selphyl® reported to date. As with any injection, you may experience some mild and temporary swelling, bruising, or soreness at the injection site.