Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Wrocław, Poland
Vampire Facelift at Nowa Estetyka Medical Center
Injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma PRP, known as PRP mesotherapy or the vampire facelift, are a method used to rejuvenate skin by regenerating and biostimulating stem cells to boost collagen production. PRP mesotherapy helps address issues like volume loss and skin laxity that occur with aging. As we age, cellular metabolism slows, and excessive and prolonged UV exposure damages skin cells, reducing the tissue’s ability to regenerate. The vampire facelift delivers nutrients directly to the dermis, activating the repair processes of stem cells. PRP provides excellent results in reducing the appearance of early wrinkles.
The vampire facelift is performed using plasma derived from the patient’s own blood—plasma contains substances known as growth factors that stimulate tissue growth. These compounds encourage the body’s stem cells to divide and transform into fibroblasts, which produce collagen and elastin fibers. Each year, mature skin loses about 1% of its collagen, but PRP mesotherapy stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen fibers.
The vampire facelift is a long-lasting aesthetic treatment that revitalizes the skin without the risk of allergic reactions or intolerance, as the procedure uses the body’s own stem cells.
Mesotherapy refers to the technique of delivering the substance directly into skin cells through injections using a very fine needle. Active substances used in needle mesotherapy can include autologous material (platelet-rich plasma PRP, active fibrin i-PRF), as well as specially formulated mixtures of active substances, vitamins, and hyaluronic acid.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Mesotherapy – Procedure
The vampire facelift is a 100% natural procedure since it uses a blood-derived material, typically drawn from the antecubital vein, just like blood for a routine blood test. A small amount of blood, typically 8-24 ml, is collected and then spun in a centrifuge. The goal is to separate the plasma, which contains platelets, from the red and white blood cells. This process takes just a few minutes. The resulting solution contains a low concentration of plasma with a high number of platelets—up to 9 times higher than the blood before centrifugation. Up to 90% of the platelets present in the sample are recovered. This concentrate contains the optimal amount of growth factors, which stimulate the development and division of stem cells.
In the test tube, you can see a layered separation of the PRP plasma and the other blood components. The physician extracts the PRP concentrate, and before it is administered to the patient, an activating substance is added to release the growth factors from the platelets.
The prepared solution is then injected into the skin using micro-needles (needle mesotherapy). PRP injections can be delivered manually with precise injections creating a “grid” of points on the treated skin area or in a linear pattern (e.g., along the mouth line). Volumetric injections of PRP are also performed.
Since the centrifugation process only takes a few minutes, there is no need to collect the material in advance. The blood draw and the PRP mesotherapy treatment usually take between 30 to 45 minutes.
Is PRP Mesotherapy Painful?
Despite the use of local anesthesia with lidocaine, the procedure can be uncomfortable. Injections in the forehead area tend to be the most painful.
How Does PRP Effectively Rejuvenate Skin?
PRP mesotherapy works by harnessing the natural role of platelets and the growth factors they produce in the body. When an injury occurs, the natural process of blood clotting and cellular division begins to quickly repair the affected area. PRP injections mimic the creation of a wound, signaling the body to start the repair mechanism.
Areas for PRP Injections
PRP injections can be administered evenly across the entire facial skin or concentrated in specific areas prone to wrinkles due to frequent expressions. These include marionette lines, smoker’s lines around the mouth, nasolabial folds, under-eye wrinkles, crow’s feet, vertical frown lines (glabellar lines), and horizontal forehead wrinkles. Injections can be evenly distributed across the surface (classic needle mesotherapy technique) or applied along the wrinkle or crease to be treated.
What Age Is PRP Mesotherapy Suitable For?
The vampire facelift as an anti-aging therapy can be performed preventively on women and men starting as early as age 25. In younger individuals, where the regeneration process works faster, the effects of the treatment will also be seen more quickly. PRP mesotherapy typically produces the most satisfying results for patients between 30-40 years old, though several sessions may be required. To extend the effects of skin regeneration, it is recommended to undergo PRP therapy 3-4 times at 4-week intervals. PRP mesotherapy is suitable for individuals up to 60 years of age. These age ranges are only approximate, as the condition of the patient’s skin, not their age, determines the effectiveness of PRP therapy. A maintenance session can be performed 1-2 times per year.
Indications
- Smoothing wrinkles and nasolabial folds
- Revitalizing and restoring lost skin elasticity and firmness
- Improving skin hydration and firmness on the face, neck, and décolletage (combatting signs of skin aging)
- Lip revitalization
- Non-surgical facelift and cheek lift
- Frown lines
- Filling acne scars
- Fine lines around the eyes, revitalizing the eye area
- Skin regeneration after other aesthetic or plastic surgery procedures
- Treatment of hair loss (male pattern baldness) and overall strengthening of damaged, weak hair, reducing excessive hair loss
The range of applications for platelet-rich plasma in aesthetic medicine is very broad. In addition to injections for the skin of the face and décolletage, PRP mesotherapy for the scalp is also an effective method for treating male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). PRP hair loss treatment strengthens damaged, weak hair and reduces excessive hair loss.
Learn more about hair loss treatment.
Results
- Wrinkles are smoothed, skin regains its firmness, and skin tone improves
- Regeneration of old or damaged cells
- Activation of hair growth, dormant hair follicles enter an active state
- Biostimulation of fibroblasts to produce collagen in skin cells
- Faster healing process after other aesthetic treatments
Platelet-Rich Plasma – Contraindications
- Blood clotting disorders or taking medications that prolong clotting time (e.g., aspirin)
- Autoimmune diseases and cancers
- Various infectious diseases, active and chronic skin inflammations
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- For the best results, 2-3 sessions are required at intervals of 3 to 6 weeks
How to Avoid Complications?
The only “side effects” of PRP mesotherapy are puncture marks or small bruises. Patients undergoing PRP mesotherapy during menstruation should inform their doctor—decreased blood clotting and dilated vessels during this period increase the risk of minor bruising and hematomas at the injection site. Other complications from PRP mesotherapy are virtually nonexistent.
PRP Mesotherapy vs. Wrinkle “Fillers”
PRP mesotherapy is often mistakenly equated with injections using other synthetic substances, such as fillers (including hyaluronic acid) and botulinum toxin. PRP injections and botulinum toxin injections are entirely different categories of wrinkle-smoothing treatments. Some individuals may be allergic to hyaluronic acid, even though it occurs naturally in the human body. In the case of PRP injections from the patient’s own blood, the risk of allergic reaction or intolerance is almost zero—the injected material is entirely biocompatible.
Comprehensive Benefits
In addition to wrinkle-smoothing treatments for the face, PRP injections can be applied to virtually any other part of the body. PRP effectively smooths wrinkles on the décolletage, neck, and backs of the hands; it also effectively reduces the appearance of scars (of various types), smooths cellulite, evens out pigmentation of stretch marks, and improves skin condition after other, more invasive dermatological procedures (e.g., chemical peels). Other broader applications of PRP mesotherapy include supporting the regeneration of soft tissues and joints (e.g., after injuries and surgeries).
