Perhaps you're like many of our clients - wanting to keep your hair, skin, and joints looking and feeling full and youthful, but you are trying to avoid surgeries, steroids, and other less healthy options. Maybe you've even tried some of the conventional hair regrowth or skin-firming techniques and had little or no results. You're in luck! There are natural solutions to hair loss, wrinkles, dark circles under eyes, sagging skin, joint pains, and osteoarthritis that really work and are actually good for you.
At Elevated Natural Health, because we love ozone so much, we've combined the traditional PRP (platelet-rich plasma) techniques with ozone to make them even more effective and healthy! Ozone is known for its immune-modulating and immune-supportive actions. You can read more about ozone here. It works with PRP to activate the platelets and growth factors, which do all the "magic"!
Microneedling
This service involves the use of a microneedling device (we use the Skin Stylus). The Skin Stylus is an electronic stylus with multiple needles attached to the tip which will penetrate the skin to create thousands of controlled microscopic needle incisions in the epidermis, papillary dermis, and reticular dermis. Using specially designed and manufactured sterile components, the goal is to puncture the stratum corneum (the top layer of skin) and induce a controlled injury response leading to improved healing.
Benefits of microneedling:
- improvement in overall aesthetic appearance of skin
- improved tone and texture of skin
- improved appearance of scars (especially helpful for acne scars)
- decrease in fine lines and wrinkles
- improved skin laxity
- improvement in stretch marks
- improvements in mild rosacea (vascular form)
- improvement in hair loss
- improved skin tightening and tone after weight loss
- improving wrinkles in neck
- improving skin imperfections in the décolleté (upper chest)
Microneedling with PRP
All of the information above for microneedling applies here, but when the autologous (derived from self) solution of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is added, the treatment gets even better! PRP is rich in growth factors like Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which help form new collagen, restore blood and oxygen supply to the skin, and improve delivery of nutrients to the cells of the skin. All of the benefits of microneedling will be more pronounced and will occur with fewer treatments when PRP is used during the treatment.
Do I need Botox or PRP Microneedling? What's the difference?
Botox (neurotoxin) injections and PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) microneedling are distinct cosmetic procedures with different mechanisms and purposes.
Neurotoxin Injections:
- Purpose: Primarily used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by temporarily relaxing muscles.
- Mechanism: Neurotoxins block the nerve signals in targeted muscles, preventing them from contracting and causing wrinkles temporarily. This does not eliminate the static (deep) wrinkles, but it does help the dynamic (smaller, superficial) wrinkles.
- Application: Commonly used in areas such as the forehead, between the eyebrows (the "elevens"), and around the eyes ("crows feet").
PRP Microneedling:
- Purpose: Aims to improve skin texture, tone, and stimulate collagen production for overall skin rejuvenation. This can be really helpful for filling in areas of deficit (loss of collagen) and to help heal the static (deep) wrinkles. There is also benefit for the dynamic wrinkles (the superficial ones) as well. Microneedling is also especially helpful for acne scaring.
- Mechanism: Involves using a device with tiny needles to create micro-channels in the skin. Platelet-Rich Plasma, derived from the patient's blood, is applied through the procedure to enhance healing and promote collagen formation. PRP is long known for its healing and rejuvenation qualities for all types of issues in the body (cardiac surgeries, facial reconstructive surgeries, etc).
- Application: Addresses a variety of skin concerns, including fine lines, acne scars, dark spots/melasma, collagen loss, and overall skin quality.
In summary, Botox and other neurotoxins focus on muscle relaxation to diminish wrinkles, while PRP microneedling stimulates collagen and improves skin texture through controlled micro-injuries and the application of platelet-rich plasma. The choice between them depends on your specific aesthetic goals and concerns. Many patients will choose a combination of these therapies to maximize their skin health and overall look. Consulting with a qualified practitioner can help determine the most suitable approach for you.
PRP & PPP Facelift (injections of PRP/PPP)
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and PPP (Platelet Poor Plasma) can both help your skin. The PRP is especially helpful for delivering the growth factors as mentioned above to improve the collagen synthesis, blood flow, and nutrient delivery to the skin. The PPP can be used as a natural, autologous filler in lieu of chemical fillers (hyaluronic acid, Botox, etc.).
Depending on your skincare goals, the physician may recommend PRP, PPP, or a combination of both.
Benefits of PRP & PPP Injections
- improved tone and texture (but microneedling is optimal for these goals)
- improvement in deep wrinkles and bags (under the eyes)
- improvement in deeper nasolabial folds (smile lines)
- increasing volume in the cheeks, cheek bones, chin, etc.
- improvement in scars (microneedling is typically better for this though)
PRP Hair Restoration
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is an autologous solution of one’s own platelets and is rich in growth factors such as Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth factor (VEGF). When PRP is injected into an area, a mild inflammatory response is initiated which promotes the healing cycle in the body. Growth factors, stem cells, and other immune factors are attracted to the area and begin to repair the area treated. In the case of a PRP Hair Rejuvenation treatment, PRP can stimulate hair growth and increase follicle viability, can prevent apoptosis of cells needed for hair growth, can lengthen the hair growth cycle stage, and increase density of hair by slowing the catagen hair cycle stage.
One thing to note is that there are many causes of hair loss and PRP is not a magic wand. We find it especially necessary to address the underlying reasons for hair loss (toxicity, hormone imbalance, stress, etc) before or in combination with the PRP injection treatments for hair.
Benefits of PRP for Hair Restoration:
- improved circulation to the hair follicles
- prolongation of the hair growth phases
- improved thickness of hair
- improved hair growth
- improved hairline from receding hairlines
Does it work?
That's everyone's first question. Understandably, as there are lots of false claims out there these days. The answer is a firm "YES!" In fact, research has shown that even when conventional prescription medications have failed for hair regrowth, PRP (platelet rich plasma) can still work! Whether you struggle with autoimmune alopecia (hair loss), androgenic hair loss (the type most men get as they age), or hair loss as a result of hormone imbalances, PRP is a good option for you! Check out these studies showing the efficacy of PRP for Hair Regeneration:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenic Alopecia: Myth or an Effective Tool
- Platelet-rich plasma, the ultimate secret for youthful skin elixir and hair growth triggering
How does it work?
PRP can work to stimulate hair growth at the cellular level by increasing follicle viability, preventing apoptosis of cells needed for hair growth, and increasing the density of the hair by prolonging certain stages of hair growth (specifically the catagen phase).
What does the treatment involve?
The treatment involves collecting a blood sample in the physician's office, collecting platelets from your blood sample, activating them with various nutrients like calcium, vitamin C, and ozone, and injecting them into the skin on your scalp (or wherever you're trying to regrow hair).
We usually recommend a series of six (6) treatments on a monthly interval. Most people notice hair growth in about 3-4 months (common time length with any hair regrowth treatment, both conventional and alternative).
Do I take any supplements during the process?
Most likely yes. You may need to address some underlying causes of the hair loss before seeing lasting results. Your practitioner will talk to you about what else is involved in treating the cause of your hair loss (whether it's hormonal, autoimmune, allergic, or age-related).
PRP Joint Treatments
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is another form of Prolotherapy, which is a type of joint and tendon/ligament injection therapy typically for pain and injuries. Just as in the other PRP treatments, for this treatment, we collect a sample of the patient's blood, process it to collect growth factors, combine it with nutrients and ozone gas, and then inject it into the damaged tissues (tendons, ligaments, bone, skin, etc.). The growth factors support your body's own regenerative processes, while the nutrients and ozone add some extra nutrients to promote the healing of the tissues at a cellular level. The effects can set in after as little as 2-3 weeks, but many people notice optimal improvement in pain and function after 4-6 weeks.
Take a look at our other services for pain and decreased function here.
Check out these articles showing the efficacy of PRP for joint healing and pain reduction: