What is PRP?
A Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment begins with a simple blood draw and the application of either a numbing cream or injectable anesthetic so that the procedure is quick and painless. Most procedures can be completed in less than an hour and have no down time! At Basis Biologic, we use a unique centrifuge that separates plasma and platelets from the rest of the blood. This is the important step, because not all PRP centrifuges are created equal. ClickNot all PRP is created equal. Learn more here.
Dr. Hamlett prefers a PRP that is supported by research: one that includes 4-6x your circulating platelet levels, a high concentration of anti-inflammatory monocytes and no red blood cells. This is the PRP that produces the most robust and reproducible effects.
Once the PRP is collected and processed, it is injected back into your tissues (or applied topically in the case of the PRP Facial). The proteins and growth factors stimulate stem cells to create new, youthful tissue in areas like the face and scalp, and in sex organs, muscles and joints. It’s the essence of regenerative medicine, and the beauty of it is the PRP procedure uses what your body has produced, so your body will readily accept the treatment without reaction or rejection. PRP procedures are minimally invasive and, typically, patients experience very little discomfort with no down time.
Click on a link below to learn more about our different PRP services:
- PRP Facial Rejuvenation -
We all know the benefits that wearing sunscreen, staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet and getting adequate sleep have on our skin. We also know what science tells us: that collagen levels decrease as early as our 20s, as does antioxidant activity and the ability to reverse damage from the environment, like the sun and pollution. And while a good skin-care regimen is a must for keeping our skin looking it’s best, there often comes a point when it isn’t enough.
Do you ever look in the mirror and think you look older than you did yesterday? If you fear that your skin is aging faster than you are, it’s likely due to the deterioration of collagen, which causes the face to begin to lose volume and sag. As time progresses, this collapse of collagen and muscles in the face can also make your cheeks look flat and the eyes appear hollow. The skin may also begin to lose its youthful rosy color and instead take on a dull, gray tint. The cumulative effects of facial aging can cause an individual to look tired and worn out, even when they feel completely rested and energized.
No one at Basis Biologic is going to deny the inevitability of aging or try to prevent aging from occurring. We are not afraid to age. But we are also not afraid to work with physiology to enhance the appearance of our skin and minimize the effects of aging. We want to age gracefully, and for our appearance to reflect that fact that we take good care of ourselves. Enter PRP Facial Rejuvenation!
PRP Facial in Portland Oregon
The PRP Facelift is a treatment offered at our clinic in Portland, Oregon that stimulates collagen production with the infusion of your own PRP via a fractional micro-needling pen device. Like all PRP procedures, it begins with a blood draw and topical numbing cream applied to your face. Next, you get to relax while we go to work with the PRP Facial!
Dr. Hamlett uses the Dermapen micro-needling device (link to micro-needling page) on the entire surface of the skin, concentrating on areas that have been determined to need it most. The PRP is applied topically and sinks into the tiny micro-channels in the skin created by the Dermapen. The PRP penetrates more deeply this way, optimizing the regenerative effects and leading to fuller, tighter, younger-looking skin.
The PRP Facial is great for acne scars, sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles and overall gentle resurfacing. It produces effects similar to a laser treatment, but without the pain and downtime.
PRP Facelift
Unlike most aesthetic procedures offered today, the PRP Facelift offers a way to both restore shape and improve tone and texture of the skin, all the while rejuvenating the skin from underneath the surface.
During the PRP Facelift, PRP is injected into the skin where it releases growth factors, increases production of collagen and elastin and redistributes the melanin pigment. These growth factors also promote new blood vessel formation and new fatty tissues. The result is healthy, youthful, glowing skin. Traditionally, the PRP Facelift is combined with a hyaluronic acid filler like Restylane or Juvederm, but this is not necessary. You will still see improved textural changes with PRP alone.
In the classic “PRP facelift,” the true “lift” effect is achievable with the injection of hyaluronic acid filler layered with your PRP serum. The filler provides an instant volume correction and the PRP, injected above the filler, immediately kick-starts a skin regeneration process. You will be able to see and feel the effects within minutes as your skin becomes tauter and smoother. The use of PRP with fillers not only enhances the skin tone and texture, but prolongs the effective filler correction for 3 to 6 months longer than when fillers are used alone.
What can I expect with the PRP Facelift?
The end result of PRP Facial Rejuvenation procedures? Healthier appearance of skin due to improved tone and texture, decrease in wrinkles and scars, lightening of hyperpigmentation and sunspots and an overall youthful, healthy glow.
These procedures are safe, as they are using your own blood, and have little to no side effects. Most people experience a little redness and swelling, much like a mild sunburn, that diminishes by 24 hours. As for how many procedures are needed? The short answer is 3-4 treatments monthly and then maintenance with 1 or 2 procedures annually. The long answer is it depends on the goals you are looking to achieve, your diet and hydration status, certain lifestyle factors (daily sunscreen!) and genetics! Dr. Hamlett is in a position to optimize your health and thus maximize the healing properties of your PRP!
- PRP Scalp Rejuvenation -
The PRP Scalp treatment is an in-office, non-surgical, autologous procedure for hair regrowth. PRP contains growth factors and cytokines that are responsible for stimulating and enhancing hair follicle function. The scalp is prepared and cleaned and then an anesthetic is used to numb the scalp for a completely painless procedure. Small injections of PRP deliver the powerful platelet-derived growth factors into the skin at the level of the weak follicles.
Hair follicles thrive on the nutrition that is received from a healthy blood supply. If PRP is introduced to damaged hair follicles, the body’s natural healing mechanism is stimulated to bring nutrition and healing to the damaged follicles. This can stimulate hair growth and prevent further hair loss.
PRP Scalp Rejuvenation can be performed with PRP alone or combined with a cocktail of nutrients that support hair growth such as niacin, dexpanthenol and vitamin D3. Micro-needling (link to micro-needling page) allows the nutrients and growth factors to reach the dermis, where the hair follicles reside. PRP Scalp Rejuvenation can also be combined with a compounded preparation of minoxidil and retinoic acid. This is very different from what is available over the counter, as it is not as greasy or filled with fillers and preservatives. This preparation can be very helpful for the initial hair re-growth. Dr. Hamlett also has the ability to add finasteride to this preparation if hormone imbalance is a contributing factor to hair loss.
PRP Scalp Rejuvenation best address two types of hair loss patients: patients with areas of “weak quality” hair growth on the scalp, where functioning hair follicles can still be observed, and patients with small areas of alopecia areata. These are the patients who appear to have the greatest success with PRP Scalp Rejuvenation.
Dr. Hamlett also recommends the use of a laser cap to stimulate hair growth, but this is not necessary. It is important to recognize from the get-go that treating hair loss is likely going to be an on-going endeavor, with PRP Scalp Rejuvenation treatments needed yearly. Using the laser increases the recommended interval between treatment sessions.
- PRP Breast Rejuvenation -
PRP Breast Rejuvenation is a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment that uses the science of platelet rich plasma (PRP) to improve the look, feel and fullness of the upper breast and cleavage area. This treatment can also enhance or restore sensation in the nipples and breasts.
During the procedure, the PRP (derived from your own blood) is injected into the inner and upper-breast area where the growth factors go to work restructuring and rebuilding the supportive ligaments of the breast tissue.
PRP Breast Rejuvenation will produce great results for women who desire a healthier look and feel of the cleavage of the breasts, versus a significant size increase in cup size. If you’re hoping to create bigger breasts, that would be better addressed by a plastic surgeon through a breast lift or breast augmentation surgery.
This procedure is for women who are happy with the size of their breasts, but want to restore fullness, especially to the upper part of the breast and in the cleavage area, to restore sensation that may have been lost from breastfeeding or implants, to address the thinning of skin and volume loss that accompanies aging and sun exposure, and for women who want to try to evert their nipples.
Within the first few weeks to months, as the PRP increases blood flow to the tissue, the color of the skin will improve and the tissue will thicken and become less transparent. Over time, fine lines and wrinkles will also begin to diminish through collagen remodeling, and fatty tissue will increase in volume. Most women undergo 1-3 treatments.
PRP Vaginal Rejuvenation
Do you leak urine when you laugh or sneeze?
Or maybe you leak during exercise, like running or jumping?
Is intercourse uncomfortable, or maybe even painful?
Are you unable to orgasm or suffering from a low libido?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, PRP Vaginal Rejuvenation might be right for you!
For decades, women have been silently enduring negative changes in their sexual and urinary health. Research shows that only about 14 percent of women talk to their doctor about sex. With up to half of women experiencing a sexual disorder, why do only about 1 in 10 ever talk to their physicians about it? Sex therapy and counseling can be helpful, but frequently, the problem is physiology, not psychology.
Let me assure you, it is not normal to leak urine at any point in your life, and intercourse can be amazing, no matter your age. Up until now, doctors haven’t had much to offer women, other than surgery. And unfortunately, these procedures do more harm than good. Changes in the pelvic floor and urinary system are often due to the loss of the tiny blood vessels that feed the nerves and support structure in the upper vaginal wall. Surgery and laser treatments create scar tissue that does not stretch, has poor circulation, and fewer nerve endings, which leads to further pain patterns and imbalance in the fascia and pelvic floor musculature. PRP Sexual Health and Pelvic Floor Rejuvenation does the exact opposite: it stimulates new growth of nerves, circulation, and supportive tissue, making the tissue youthful again!
PRP Sexual Health
This procedure is often referred to as the “O-shot.” This procedure begins in the same ways as the other PRP procedures: with a blood draw and application of numbing cream. A small needle is used to inject the PRP into the upper vaginal area and near the clitoris. There is no down time, no bleeding, no need to refrain from sex. You’ll be ready to go about your day as usual. Some of the complaints PRP Vaginal Rejuvenation can treat are: low libido, painful sex, difficulty becoming aroused, lichen sclerosis, vaginal dryness and lack of sensation during sex.
PRP Pelvic Floor Regeneration
PRP can also be used to rejuvenate the pelvic floor. This procedure addresses one the most common complaints among women, incontinence, since the floor of the urethra is the roof of the vagina. It is also great for any painful areas along the perineum that have become scarred from laceration repair or tearing during childbirth.
Dr. Hamlett will assess each patient individually to determine which unique areas are affected and in need of rejuvenation. PRP Pelvic Floor Rejuvenation will enhance circulation and tissue growth as well as encourage new nerve supply. These effects will continue to build for three to four months after the first treatment. Depending on your symptom picture and the extent of injury, Dr. Hamlett may suggest a series of treatments.
Dr. Hamlett is thrilled to be offering PRP Pelvic Floor Rejuvenation alongside Holistic Pelvic Care, which she has had great success using to help women regain balance and full function of their pelvic floor. Injury to this area is caused by childbirth, repeated pregnancies, un-addressed emotions, physical injury or trauma, underuse and overuse. When it comes to the pelvic floor, it is often necessary to layer modalities to reach your treatment goals, since most women are suffering from not only pathology in this area, but also the resultant detrimental effects on their mood, intimacy, activity levels, etc. The two treatments pair very well together and address the full scope of pelvic floor health.
- PRP Scar Rejuvenation -
After an injury or surgery, the body does not know exactly how to arrange the collagen cells, which in healthy tissue, link with elastin in a beautifully ordered pattern to create the support structure underneath the skin. Instead, the cells become a balled-up clump of tissue called “scar tissue.”
It is common for scar tissue to cause discomfort and limit mobility in the surrounding area because the scar can become adhered to the underlying fascia, which pulls on the muscle. The most common types of scars Dr. Hamlett treats are acne scars, vaginal/perineal scars from childbirth and post-surgical scars in the breast and abdomen. But PRP Scar Rejuvenation is a great choice for any scar that is causing pain and limiting mobility.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy is an effective form of treatment for scars. The growth factors found in the platelets regenerate tissues and create new blood vessels and new nerves. PRP Scar Rejuvenation also stimulates keratinocytes and fibroblasts, which leads to new collagen creation in place of the scarred skin. PRP regenerates and rejuvenates skin tissue, utilizing your own cellular functions.
The end results? Improved texture and vitality of the skin, restored sensation, increased mobility and diminished pain associated with scar tissue.
Acne scars most commonly need surface-smoothing from the “outside in” for texture improvement and filling of the scar with collagen induction (micro-needling link) from “inside out” for reduction of depth. Very deep scars may need injection of dermal fillers below the skin in addition to PRP for replenishment of lost volume and improvement of scar depth.
Treatment for scarring typically utilizes 1-3 treatment sessions, most often spaced approximately one month apart.
Have questions about any of our PRP services?
Click on the button below to get answers to many of our frequently asked questions!
