Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment, is commonly referred to as, ‘’Dracula treatment ‘’ or ‘’Vampire treatment’’, due to the fact that the clients own blood is used. This revolutionary non-surgical cosmetic procedure has been used for facial rejuvenation since 2006. It produces a gradual but noticeable improvement in the skins texture, tone and colour with minimal down time. Platelets are an important component in our blood. They contain numerous Platelet Derived Growth Factors (PDGF). These growth factors stimulate the production of collagen, keratin and hyaluronic acid. Increased collagen production helps to correct fine wrinkles and volume loss. Hyaluronic acid is important for skin integrity by improving skin tone and volume which helps skin maintain a more youthful appearance. PRP also works with the clotting ability of the platelets that leads to contraction of the tissues hence making our skin firmer.

At Bedford Skin Clinic we perform PRP treatment on any part of the body including the cheeks, around the eyes, smile lines, mouth to nose lines, neck, jaw line, chest, décolletage, hands etc. It can also be used to treat scarring, hair loss as well as for vaginal rejuvenation. Noticeable Improvement in the skin is typically seen within three weeks and continues for the following eight months. The results can last up to 18 months and in some cases even longer. The procedure typically takes 60-90 minutes but can vary depending on the complexity of the specific treatment. Initially the doctor will assess your suitability for PRP treatment. Skin is thoroughly cleansed, and local anaesthetic cream applied. Blood is then taken from the arm and processed to harvest PRP. At Bedford Skin Clinic, we use a double spin method (spinning the blood twice). There is evidence that PRP harvested after a double spin method works more efficiently, this is because plasma with a higher concentration of platelets is harvested. Finally, the local anaesthetic cream is removed, and the target area is cleansed in preparation for the PRP injections. The actual PRP injection procedure only takes a few minutes.

It’s possible that you may experience slight discomfort during the procedure. Local anaesthetic cream is applied to the face 45 minutes prior to the procedure to minimise these feelings of discomfort. The downtime following a PRP procedure is minimal. Clients can expect to experience some swelling and redness for a day or two post treatment. There is also the possibility of some bruising, but this can easily be concealed with makeup and should disappear within a few days. Clients can get back to normal activity on the same day. We strongly recommend the regular use of SPF50 after this treatment.

PRP uses our own blood hence there is a very minimal risk of an allergic reaction, disease transmission or toxicity. Infections are rare as PRP contains a high concentration of white blood cells, an important component of our blood that fights infections. This procedure can be performed during pregnancy, but each case is assessed on an individual basis.

The initial number of PRP treatments required varies from person to person. Maintenance treatments are recommended every one to two years depending on skin type and condition...