What is PRP
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) refers to the application of plasma obtained from the blood structure using the Centrifuge procedure, rich in “growth factors” and high in “platelet” concentration. Platelet Rich Plasma, that is, platelet-strong plasma, refers to platelets enriched in a small measure of blood and increased density.
Platelet: (Platelet) Colorless, cell flakes that are much smaller than red and white blood cells and that enable blood to clot are called thrombocyte. The usual cost range of platelet count in mean peripheral blood is the middle between 150,000/µl and 400,000/µl per microliter.
For PRP, the platelet in the blood was increased 7 times by weighting and increased to 1,000,000/µl, and it was revealed that this density accelerated bone and soft tissue conformation. Even though the number of thrombocyte (clot cell) to be aggravated in PRP is not certain, studies have shown that the number of platelets in the peripheral blood should be more than 1 million, that is, approximately 7 times higher than the usual values, for the effect in the direction of beautification and regeneration with “recombinant growth factors”.
Platelets; In addition to its coagulation role in the cell, it also has a valuable role in tissue repair by secreting growth factors from α-granules in tissue damage.
Research in tissue engineering and molecular technology has drawn more attention to the role of growth factors in wound healing, bone and soft tissue regeneration.
Growth Factors: They are natural aspects that have the ability to stimulate cellular growth, proliferation and cellular differentiation. Growth Factors are natural biological (mediator) triggers and regulate cellular events that are also involved in wound healing. “Growth factors”, which play a valuable role in soft tissue and bone beautification, cause the release of a cluster of proteins consisting of chemokines and cytokines from the alpha granules of platelets. This cocktail, which is released into the environment and consists of growth factors, causes tissue repair and regeneration (regeneration).
PRP was developed in the early 1970s as a byproduct of multicomponent blood artifacts. Although it has been used in many fields such as Orthopedics, Dentistry, Vascular Surgery and dermatology since those years, its activity and usage area has expanded with the latest researches.
prof. When Takakura Nobuyuki et al. stated in 1996 that some of the growth factors (PDGF and VEGF) are valuable for hair formation and hair follicle formation, it has come to the fore that PRP may be effective in the treatment of hair diseases and loss.
How is PRP Prepared?
Platelet-rich plasma is prepared using automatic special devices. It is possible to obtain PRP by using a centrifuge device in a fully equipped clinic. Thanks to the device specially produced in the medical sense, the blood, which is prevented from clotting by mixing “citrate”, “phosphate” and “dextrose”, is centrifuged and subjected to the cell separation process.
According to the degree of density, total blood is separated into 3 basic components. The medium-density area contains platelet-enriched plasma. (Picture: PRP tube with platelet-strong plasma ready for injection after the centrifugation process is completed) Aggravated platelets vary depending on the PRP kit used, the speed of the centrifuge, and the antiloagulant used.
The release of growth factors, which will trigger tissue regeneration, from activated platelets begins within the first 10 minutes and is completed within 1 hour. Therefore, the prepared PRP concentration should be applied to the required area within 10 minutes.
Recently, devices that can easily and quickly obtain prp from relatively small blood samples that can be used during the operation have been developed.
It should be kept in mind that obtaining activated aggravated platelets at real speed, using the most appropriate rules and using them on time can change the potency and quality.
How Does PRP Work?
It is a known fact that platelets play a valuable role in the wound healing and regeneration process. PRP, or platelet-enriched plasma, rapidly reaches the region, coagulates the blood, and releases growth factors that initiate and support wound healing. Thus, acceleration and beautification occur in the wound healing process. Tissue regeneration occurs in the area where PRP is applied.
Various studies have shown that the aforementioned growth factors also create valuable effects on hair structure and follicle formation, and create improvement and growth.
It releases proteins and growth factors in the affected area.
Condensed platelets initiate the smoothing process.
It sends a warning to the stem cells to form new tissue.
Which growth factors are released?
PDGF: Cell division,
stem cell differentiation,
Chemical stimulation of fibroblasts,
Hair formation and formation
TGF: Activation of connective tissue formation
ILGF: Wound healing
EGF: Cell differentiation activation
Fibrin, fibronectin, vitronectin
Where is PRP Used?
The use of strong autogenous artefacts from platelets for treatment draws attention as a current approach. PRP, which has been used in many areas from vascular surgery to periodontitis for years, has also attracted attention with its new areas of use in recent years.
Some of the usage areas of PRP are as follows;
Wound healing
skin rejuvenation
Hair loss
fine lines and wrinkles
Volumetric filling
Alopecia (Hair Breaking)
Hair Transplant
striae
joint calcification
Advantages of PRP:
PRP is not toxic
It is made from the patient’s own blood, not chemical.
Easy to prepare, easy to apply.
It is reabsorbed by the body within a few days.
It accelerates tissue synthesis, provides rapid beautification.
It is not likely to cause an allergic effect.
Confidence in terms of possible infections (Hepatitis, HIV, CJD).
Since it is autologous, there is no risk of rejection.
PRP is an autologous blood product, so it has a natural immunity against diseases such as HIV, hepatitis.
EFFECT OF PRP ON HAIR ROOTS
In researches on PRP, which has been used effectively in the medical world for about 30 years, successful results are obtained in people with complaints of wear and breakage in the scalp, hair loss, hair loss, and dull appearance. Firstly, 20 years ago, Prof. As a result of the tests and research conducted by Takakura Nobuyuki, it was revealed that PRP applications can affect hair follicles, and it was reported that it accelerated hair growth with the applications performed by Takikawa M et al. in 2011.
Besides stopping hair loss, PRP activates hair growth by stimulating hair follicles. PRP, which directly affects weak hair follicles, contributes to the thickening of thin hair strands by feeding, and the beautification of hair follicles.
There are three different application areas of PRP from hair transplantation;
During planting (FUE with PRP reinforcement) to ensure the permanence of the hair follicles.
Application after sowing with the aim of accelerating healing
There are regular PRP applications to rejuvenate and revitalize newly planted hair follicles after hair transplantation.
PRP application does not ensure that the hair that has been “completely” shed due to genetics or some diseases will regrow, it is ensured that the existing hair is healthier, the shedding stops, and the hairs become thicker and healthier.
They act as physiological antibiotics thanks to the small amount of leukocytes, antibodies and proteolytic enzymes in their content. Plasma also contains hormones, biotransformed vitamins and other nutrients.
PRP Application in Hair Transplantation Operations
In addition to these properties of PRP, which slows down hair loss, nourishes the hair and ensures its rapid growth and elongation, rapid reconstitution and tissue regeneration features come into play when it comes to surgical operations.
PRP to be done regularly after the operation causes the mild wounds in the donor area to heal very quickly and the newly transplanted hair follicles to adapt quickly with the local tissue. It has been reported that less neediness is felt, true coagulation is achieved, it reduces postoperative swelling and pain, accelerates wound healing, and shortens the beautification process.
How is PRP Applied?
PRP application is an application that can be performed easily and in a short time. 16-23 ml of blood (average 2-3 tubes) is taken from the person to whom the application will be made, and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 8 minutes.
It can be applied directly under the skin by injection, as it can be done in (topical) form, provided that it is applied on the skin. Mostly, injections are made in the form of “intraderman” and “subdermal”. Nappage and point techniques can be used in applications to the scalp area.
The best time for PRP after hair transplantation is the 3rd month after the operation, when the newly transplanted hair is in harmony with the new tissue.
In order to benefit from the PRP application at the maximum level, it is recommended to perform 4 sessions of PRP, 1 application per week, after the 3rd month of the hair transplant operation, unless your physician recommends differently. Generally, after the 4th session, platelets initiate a repair on the scalp and contribute to the regeneration, nutrition and strengthening of the newly planted hair.
In PRP applications, “protection treatment” is recommended once every 3 months. Defense therapy usually lasts for 6 sessions.
It should be noted that PRP, besides being a contributing formula, is not an immediately effective assay. It will take time for the permanent and long-term benefits of PRP to be seen, regeneration and repair of tissues.
Are There Any Side Effects of PRP?
Since platelets weighed from the person’s own blood are used in the PRP application, it is in full harmony with the person’s body, the risk of side effects in Prp applications is very low, since the application is in the form of injecting PRP into the skin, a lot of allergies, risks or local side effects caused by application issues. visible.
These formations in the form of ecchymosis or redness at the injection site disappear within 1-2 days because they are small in diameter.
During the application, a feeling of tension occurs in the applied area, which disappears completely within 1-2 hours.
Is PRP a medical stem cell therapy?
PRP application and stem cell applications are applications that are very confused with each other and are falsely launched. Although stem cells are being studied in PRP application, PRP is not a stem cell application.
Dr. EXPERT BAYER