PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is obtained from a fresh sample of patients’ blood drawn at the time of treatment. A 30 cc venous blood draw will yield 3-5 cc of PRP depending on the baseline platelet count of an individual, the device used, and the technique employed. Therefore, NOT all PRP are the same!
After withdrawing the blood, the blood is put into a PRP kit and straight into the centrifuge. Then the blood is centrifuged at a high speed. After the spin, 3 layers will be formed because of its density. The bottom layer consisting of RBCs (Red Blood Cells), the middle layer consisting of platelets and WBCs (White Blood Cells) and the top PPP (Platelet Poor Plasma) layer. The middle layer is also called “buffy” coat, which is the most important part in the whole PRP extraction process.
Different PRP harvesting techniques produce major differences in cellular composition. A buffy coat PRP product (which is use in our centre) is capable of enhancing cell proliferation and differentiation, producing a concentration of platelets meeting the definition outlined by Marx of 1 million/ mL. Marx proposed this as a working definition of therapeutic PRP, based on the scientific proof of bone and soft tissue healing enhancement. This also reasons out the criticism on not getting the expected best results of PRP, which might be due to lower concentrations of platelets.
‘PRP-like’ products (single-spin plasma PRP devices) have a low to no platelet concentration in the final product and consist mainly of plasma, as the desired concentration of platelets was not achieved by this method.
Also to achieve the desired concentration, more amount of blood has to be withdrawn. Dhurat et al. have shown that a 30 ml venous blood yields approximately 3–5 ml of desired PRP depending on the baseline platelet count of an individual. Withdrawal of 30 ml of blood is the practice in our centre.
From small volume of blood collection (10 mL), which a lot of other centres are doing, a very thin layer of a buffy coat will be produced. The difficulty lies in separating this thin buffy coat layer that contains mainly white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets, from the underlying RBC layer.
In Elegance Clinic Puchong, our PRP therapy is a 2-hour long procedure, utilizing 30ml of blood to extract the PRP.
This will result in 5ml of concentrated PRP where we can choose to inject into the dermis (deep layer) of the skin for better effect eg. for reducing wrinkles, pigmentation, scars and lifting sagging skin. The remaining 10ml of PPP will be infused into the epidermis (upper layer) of the skin using the mesotherapy method or using the mesogun. If you choose to inject every single drop that will even be better!! The total 15ml harvested will be enough to cover the face, neck, hairline and some even the dorsum of the hands!
In conclusion, different amount of blood drawn and different technique used in obtaining the PRP will affect the yield of the platelets and subsequently affect the result of the treatment. NOT all PRP treatment are the same!
Like and follow our Facebook page by clicking here.
