Vivace Microneedling with PRP

Vivace microneedling with PRP is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure designed to rejuvenate the skin and promote collagen production.

Firstly, microneedling involves the use of a device equipped with fine needles that create tiny punctures in the skin's surface. These micro-injuries stimulate the body's natural healing process, leading to increased collagen and elastin production. This, in turn, helps to improve the texture, tone, and overall appearance of the skin.

What sets Vivace microneedling apart is its incorporation of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). PRP is derived from the patient's own blood and contains a concentrated amount of platelets, growth factors, and other healing properties. During the Vivace procedure, PRP is applied to the skin either topically or injected into specific areas to enhance the microneedling results.

The combination of microneedling with PRP can further enhance collagen production, improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, minimize pores, and promote a more youthful complexion.

What is plasma and what are platelets?

Plasma is the liquid portion of whole blood. It is composed largely of water and proteins, and it provides a medium for red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to circulate through the body. Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are blood cells that cause blood clots, as well as other necessary growth and healing functions.

What is a PRP injection?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is produced from a person's own blood. It is a concentration of one type of blood cell (platelets), which is critical for blood clotting. This concentration is injected to an injured or diseased part of a person’s body to accelerate the healing of damaged tendons, ligaments, muscles, bones and joints. A key advantage of PRP injections is that they can reduce the need for opioids, or even over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. In fact, use of anti-inflammatories should usually be ceased at the time of PRP treatment, because the platelet-rich plasma optimizes the initial inflammatory response involved with healing.

How are PRP injections performed?

PRP injections are prepared by taking anywhere from one to a few tubes of your own blood. It is then run ("spun down") in a centrifuge to separates the blood into its various components: red and white blood cells, plasma, platelets, etc. The platelets are collected and concentrated to anywhere from 2 to 8 times their normal number. The platelets are then mixed into a blood plasma liquid base and injected directly into the area of injury. Ultrasound imaging is sometimes used to guide the injection. The images below show a PRP injection into a patient's torn tendon. The ultrasound guidance is shown at left and the injection is shown at right.

How do PRP injections work?

The activation of the concentrated platelets in platelet-rich plasma releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells your body produces. This significantly enhances the body's natural healing process.

What injuries can PRP injections treat?

PRPs injections are used primarily for soft tissue injuries, such as minor rotator cuff and Achilles tendon tears. Its use in other soft-tissue injuries is becoming more common. It has been demonstrated to improve function and reduce pain in people who have tendonitis or chronic tendinosis conditions such as tennis elbow or golfer's elbow.

It can also be used to treat injuries to ligaments and muscles. For example, improved muscle regeneration has been shown in gastrocnemius (calf) muscle injuries.

Recent data suggests that PRP treatment is superior to than hyaluronic acid injections (also known as viscosupplementation or “gel shots”) for knee osteoarthritis, especially in regard to the duration of its positive effect. However, emerging data demonstrates that PRP combined with hyaluronic acid is more effective than either treatment alone.

To find out more about the benefits of PRP, contact Dr. Cait Smiles to schedule your consultation.