As we age, our faces seem to be the first to give away the toll time can take on our skin. Because there are so many innovative treatments and procedures available, you don’t have to live with signs of aging you’re not comfortable with. But with so many choices, like PRP rejuvenation, at your disposal, you need the advice from experts like those at Soulage Wellness & Aesthetic Center in Bastrop, TX. The experienced and knowledgeable staff can determine if you’re a good candidate for this innovative treatment.
We all know the passage of time is the true culprit of our fine lines and wrinkles, but the physical reason our faces and bodies show signs of age is a loss of collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and makes up our skin and other connective tissues. It is responsible for the supple and smooth look and feel of youthful skin. It works hand in hand with two other powerhouses—elastic and hyaluronic acid.
Elastin is responsible for our skin keeping its shape by bouncing back time and again. Hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant and helps our skin attract and keep moisture. As we age, our production of collagen tapers down. By the time we’re about 18, we lose approximately 1% of production per year.
As collagen production drops off, our skin doesn’t bounce back the way it used to. It loses some of its structure, becoming looser in areas where it used to be tight. Small voids in the structure of our face are filled in by our skin causing wrinkles and those years in the sun show up as spots and discoloration. Age can cause us to develop uneven skin tone and texture, scars to become more pronounced and our overall appearance to look dull and tired.
It’s not as hopeless as it sounds. You don’t have to give in to a duller, aged complexion. Modern science affords us many innovative treatments to help stave off signs of aging and turn back the clock on our faces. One such treatment is PRP rejuvenation.
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, and it is a natural and effective treatment for boosting levels of collagen, revealing a younger-looking, more vibrant complexion. PRP got its reputation as a miracle worker for the skin in the 1990s when the medical world realized it acted as a “surgical glue” to hold together and heal wounds. Now, it’s still performing wonders for the skin but in an aesthetic capacity.
PRP rejuvenation uses blood plasma in a patient’s own platelets. Before treatment, the platelets are subject to an activation treatment that triggers the release of growth factors and other substances secreted by the cells in the blood. These substances organize growing tissue, repair damaged tissue and stimulate the formation of new blood vessels.
For a PRP rejuvenation treatment, a sample of the patient’s blood is taken. That sample is placed in a centrifuge to separate the PRP from other blood components. Once the platelets and other healing components are drawn away from the rest of the blood, they are then resuspended into a platelet-rich solution. From there, the plasma can be applied to the skin in several ways—two of the most effective are using the plasma in tandem with either fractional CO2 skin resurfacing or Dermapen microneedling.
Your medical provider will consult with you to determine the best course of treatment for your skin and areas of concern. Generally, the only preparation required is to suspend the usage of any blood-thinning OTC medications or herbal supplements the week before your treatment. Once in the treatment room, your provider will apply a topical numbing agent to maximize your comfort.
Both treatment times are fairly short, lasting around one hour. Most clients can return to their daily activities and routines immediately. Your doctor will have specific after-care instructions for you to follow like staying out of the sun for a specific amount of time or refraining from strenuous activity for a few days. Each patient is different, so instructions, restrictions and aftercare may vary.
Fractional CO2 skin resurfacing uses a CO2 laser to direct very short, pulsed light energy to remove thin layers of the skin where imperfections or irregularities are. Because the laser is targeted and used only in short bursts, there is no heat damage to the surrounding skin.
When used with PRP, they pass the laser over the skin creating micro-channels. Micro-channels are microscopic wounds that allow for PRP to reach deeper layers than if it were to just be placed on top of the skin. Immediately after laser treatment, your plasma is painted on, allowing it to fill all those micro-channels.
PRP then goes to work beginning to heal what your body perceives as an injury. The healing powers of your own blood start cell regeneration and boost the production of collagen. As a result, skin looks immediately better, and results continue to improve with time.
A Dermapen is a handheld tool loaded with hair-thin microneedles that, when passed over the surface of the skin, create micro-channels. Like fractional laser therapy, microneedling “tricks” your body into thinking it’s been injured. This therapy alone kick starts the production of collagen to address skin imperfections, including the signs of aging.
When paired with PRP rejuvenation, the micro-channels allow for deeper absorption of the healing and regenerative properties of the plasma. Results vary, but most clients see visible improvement immediately with results getting better as the healing process progresses over the next few weeks.
There’s a reason PRP rejuvenation is getting so much press and becoming so popular—it gets results. As your face heals from treatment, it is aided by the growth factors in your plasma. New cells are regenerated and collagen production is boosted. Because your skin is healing from the inside out many patients see:
You can see an immediate vibrancy after treatments and results continue to get better for weeks after. While some clients may only need one treatment to reach the results they want, most clients opt for 2-3 treatments to maximize their results.
Because PRP is a natural treatment that uses a patient’s own blood, most healthy adults are good candidates. The situations that would prevent a patient from candidacy are:
Only a consultation with a medical professional can help determine if you’re a good candidate. If you’re in generally good health, this treatment could help with any of these skin concerns:
This treatment can be used as an overall solution to your skin concerns or you might have other issues and topics that require other treatments to be part of your skincare plan. If you have medium to deep-set lines, there are options to give you immediate and natural-looking results.
Injectables can be an excellent solution for men and women not yet ready for surgical intervention but desiring a resolution for:
There are many dermal fillers to choose from because each is designed to address different aesthetic concerns. Some are made to remain at the site of injection while others disperse over time. If you are concerned about deep folds, loss of volume in your face or thinning lips, talk to your doctor about a dermal filler.
Depending on the filler recommended, you can instantly see smoothed lines and wrinkles, plumper, more voluminous lips, and a lift to the structure of the fallen skin that causes wrinkles. Some fillers’ results can last over a year and, with a proper schedule of follow-up and maintenance visits, can be continuous.
Types of dermal fillers to discuss with your medical specialist as a solution for your areas of concern:
BOTOX is the number one cosmetic procedure in the world. BOTOX, also referred to as a wrinkle releaser, works to combat wrinkles at their source—movement. Over the years, we make the same facial expressions over and over and our skin comes along for the ride.
BOTOX is made of a non-animal protein that works to temporarily block the nerve impulses that cause that muscle movement. When an expert injects a targeted muscle with BOTOX, the movement of that muscle is reduced or halted. When the muscle reduces its movement, it relaxes and the skin covering that muscle smooths.
Results last between 3-4 months, but with proper follow-up and maintenance sessions, those results can be maintained. Talk to your provider about this treatment if you’re concerned about:
Kybella is a revolutionary way to get rid of submental fat or “double chin”. This fat is notoriously difficult to get rid of and can be resistant to diet and exercise. If you’re ready to address this concern and achieve a sculpted, more pleasing jawline profile, talk to your provider about Kybella.
This treatment is a man-made form of deoxycholic acid—a naturally occurring substance that helps your body absorb fat. When injected into problem areas, Kybella melts away the fat of a double chin by mimicking the body’s natural fat absorption process. Eventually your body will metabolize this excess fat, and it can leave you with a flattering profile to match the effort you put into your diet and exercise routine.
This treatment is a great option for those not ready for surgical intervention because no surgery or anesthesia is required. Fat cells are destroyed for good, and the treatments are fast and effective.
If you’ve decided you want to take control of your aging process and would like to discuss PRP rejuvenation therapy, make sure you only trust skilled professionals with your body and appearance. You don’t have to live with the discomfort and self-consciousness that can accompany visible signs of aging.
Call the specialists at Soulage Wellness & Aesthetic Center in Bastrop, TX for a consultation. The experienced, caring and expert staff will develop a treatment plan to address all of your aesthetic concerns. A new, vibrant and younger-looking you is just a call away.
