Plasma Microneedling
Good news! The MD PEN is in Dr Ekstrand's hands now!
Dr. Ekstrand is expanding her regenerative medicine background of using platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatments for non-operative musculoskeletal treatments for nearly 20 years while being clinical faculty at UCLA in Los Angeles to using your same PRP for a variety of skin and hair problems using microneedling. It uses the body’s own healing process to help improve the skin and amount of hair, it is safe for all skin types, and the recovery is quick.
Basics of Microneedling
Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy, is a cosmetic procedure that involves puncturing the skin with tiny, sterilized needles using the MD Pen device. These tiny wounds cause the skin to produce more collagen and elastin by stimulating the skin to repair itself naturally through a process called dermal remodeling. This process heals and helps to rejuvenate the skin. Microneedling can be used to treat things like acne scarring, sun damage, surgical scars, burns, enlarged pores, wrinkles, and stretch marks.
What about PRP and how does it work with Microneedling?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy uses the infusion of concentrated platelets harvested from the patient’s blood to accelerate healing in a specific area. It contains two elements – plasma, the liquid portion of the blood, and platelets. The platelets play a vital role in healing and contain growth factors that stimulate cell reproduction and tissue regeneration in the treated area. The patient’s blood is obtained through a simple blood draw and placed in a centrifuge to spin to create this platelet-rich plasma. The centrifuge is necessary to separate the platelets from the remainder of the blood and create a concentrate referred to as platelet rich plasma. Because the treatments use a patient’s own blood, PRP infusions are safe and can be administered alone or in conjunction with other procedures. PRP is a wonderful addition to microneedling. First, a microneedling tool is used to puncture the skin and make numerous holes in the skin’s surface. PRP is then applied to the skin’s surface and allowed to penetrate the holes created by microneedling. PRP can enhance collagen and elastin production in deeper skin levels. Microneedling with PRP effectively treats acne scars, surgical scars, wrinkles, and fine lines, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, large pores, uneven skin texture irregularities, it helps to decrease the appearance of stretch marks and helps stimulate hair growth!
Before & After
Are you the ideal candidate for this treatment?
According to the Mayo Clinic, microneedling is safe for all skin colors and types. Microneedling does not cause heat-induced skin damage, which can sometimes happen with laser technology and doesn’t affect the skin’s pigment. The treatment is well tolerated and requires minimal recovery time.
This type of treatment is not recommended in patients with the following conditions: Hepatitis C, HIV or AIDS, any type of blood cancer, or skin cancer on the area to be treated. Also, patients who have used Accutane in the preceding six months, those with wounds or infections, who have undergone radiation in the past year, who are pregnant, or breastfeeding are not considered candidates.
PREPARING FOR YOUR MICRONEEDLING WITH PRP TREATMENT
One Week Prior to Treatment
Avoid unprotected and excessive sun exposure or tanning.
Discontinue the use of skin care products containing retinoids, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid. Notify Dr. Ekstrand of the use of blood-thinning medications and supplements such as aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, fish oil, turmeric, ginger, cayenne peppers, vitamin E, garlic, ginkgo biloba, feverfew, grape seed extract, white willow, dong quai, aloe, meadowsweet, etc.
Notify Dr. Ekstrand if you have EVER had a cold sore or diagnosed with Herpes Simplex.
Day of the Treatment
Dr. Ekstrand will numb your skin before the procedure to help with any discomfort or pain. A small amount of blood (15ml) is collected and processed on the spot to obtain the PRP. The MD pen microneedling device is then rolled in three directions over the area to be treated while the PRP is applied to the skin. The procedure may take between 30 to 60 minutes depending on the area being treated. After the procedure, Dr. Ekstrand will provide you with instructions for the aftercare of your skin.
Post Treatment
Normal activities can be resumed within 24 hours. Following the procedure, strict avoidance of sun exposure, tanning beds, and swimming is strongly recommended. The provided post-procedure skin care regimen and provided products should be strictly adhered to for the first 4-5 days after the procedure. The skin should not be exposed to sun, steam, or harsh exfoliative treatments during the first 1-2 weeks.
Mild swelling, redness, and some bruising are very common for the first 3-5 days after the procedure. These post-procedure changes resolve without issue if the skin is not further traumatized during the immediate healing process.
It can take a few weeks to show results, as it takes the body time to produce collagen and heal itself. In two to three weeks, some visible improvement is typically noticeable, and in 4 to 6 weeks marked results in pigmentation and texture improvement become more apparent.
Depending on the condition you are treating, 2 to 3 treatments may be necessary to improve mild texture changes of the skin or increase more hair growth, whereas treatment for scarring may require 3 to 6 treatments to appreciate noticeable change. These multiple treatments are done four weeks apart to allow the skin to heal.