Aging, genetics, and lifestyle habits can all contribute to the formation of wrinkles, sagging skin, and thinning hair. If it’s time to rejuvenate your appearance, regain your confidence, and prioritize your skin and hair health, turn to our trusted experts at Beacon Dermatology. We’re ready to help you feel beautiful and look youthful.
Two safe and effective skincare treatments we offer at our top-rated clinic in Calgary are microneedling and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP). While these treatments can be administered separately, it’s becoming more and more common for patients to undergo them simultaneously. Allow us to explain why microneedling with PRP is an excellent option for patients who want to maximize—and accelerate—their desired results.
Before we elaborate on the option to receive microneedling in conjunction with PRP, let’s briefly review the many benefits of these individual procedures.
Microneedling—also known as collagen induction therapy—is a cosmetic procedure that can improve skin texture and refresh the overall appearance of your skin. During a microneedling procedure, our skincare specialists at Beacon Dermatology repeatedly puncture the topmost layer of your skin with a hand-held device that creates precise microscopic “injuries.” We do so with the intention of triggering your body’s natural healing response—when your body perceives these punctures as “injuries,” it responds by producing two essential proteins: collagen and elastin.
Collagen and elastin are naturally occurring substances that keep your skin strong, smooth, and firm. As you age, your body makes less and less of these proteins. A decrease in collagen can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin—visible skin concerns that you may find frustrating. Your hair may become less healthy than it once was, too; hair that’s thin, brittle, and/or gray may indicate that you have low collagen levels in your body.
Similar to collagen, elastin contributes to the overall health and vitality of your skin. This protein allows your skin to stretch and then return to its normal state. As your skin loses its elasticity over time, you’re bound to notice sagging skin as well as volume loss, especially around your cheeks, under-eye area, lips, and temples.
A 20-year-old who pinches her cheek, for example, will find that her skin returns to its normal state within seconds because her body’s producing enough elastin to keep her skin plump and firm. A person who is decades older, on the other hand, may find that it takes a bit more time for her cheek to completely flatten back out following this “pinch test.”
Don’t worry—it’s normal to lose collagen and elastin. The good news is that you can get it back through microneedling!
PRP is an advanced cosmetic procedure that uses your own blood cells to stimulate collagen production. Yes, you read that right: your own blood cells!
PRP is often referred to as a “vampire facial” because the main ingredient in this injectable dermal filler is your own blood. The natural healing properties of your own blood can stimulate tissue regeneration, making PRP injections a unique way to rejuvenate your facial skin without the need to undergo surgery. It’s a fantastic way to restore your skin’s natural glow, and it makes your skin respond better to topical serums containing hyaluronic acid.
Once your blood has been retrieved from a vein in your arm, the plasma gets separated from your white blood cells and red blood cells using a machine called a centrifuge. Rapidly rotating the blood at high speed isolates the platelet-rich plasma we need for this procedure; the term “platelet-rich” refers to the higher-than-normal number of platelets that we secure. Once this concentrated solution of platelets is carefully mixed with hyaluronic acid (a common ingredient in dermal fillers), your dermatologist will inject PRP into the microchannels in your skin so PRP can reach deeper layers. This leads to increased collagen growth as well as increased elastin production.
Individually, microneedling and PRP are both safe, effective treatments that stimulate collagen and elastin production and make your skin look more youthful. What makes them even better is the fact that they can be combined for maximum effect. The unique combination of microneedling with PRP is distinct from either treatment alone because it accelerates the healing process and significantly enhances your microneedling results.
Microneedling stimulates the formation of blood vessels, collagen, and elastin. PRP is injected into your skin immediately after microneedling to ensure that the biologic growth factors in your plasma activate stem cells and deeply penetrate the microchannels created by the microneedling device.
At Beacon Dermatology, we recommend pursuing microneedling with PRP if you want to invest in an anti-aging treatment that promotes your long-term skin and hair health.
Following the combination procedure, collagen and elastin will immediately begin to be produced so your body can naturally heal the tiny puncture wounds. New skin cells will continue to form; these skin cells contain growth factors that boost the collagen-stimulating effects of microneedling.
Since your own growth factors within the platelet rich plasma stimulate tissue regeneration and promote tissue healing, combining the microneedling benefits for face, neck, and other areas of concern with the benefits of PRP also leads to a faster healing time. In turn, any side effects that you may experience—such as temporary redness—will subside faster in comparison to receiving these treatments in isolation.
Another reason why most patients pursue this skin rejuvenation treatment is because of the more pronounced results they can anticipate. Whether you want PRP with microneedling to address acne scars, surgical scars, uneven skin tone, hair loss, stretch marks, hair thickness, or any other specific skin concerns or hair issues, this treatment works well to promote hair growth and younger looking skin.
As with any cosmetic procedure, results vary depending on a variety of factors, including how your immune system responds to the microinjuries we make in your skin, lifestyle factors, and genetics, but most patients describe their results as exciting and satisfying.
In general, it can take a few weeks for your results to become apparent. That’s because your body is slowly but surely producing collagen and elastin. Also, depending on the skin condition or hair issue being treated, multiple treatment sessions may be necessary, and if that’s the case, they will be spaced a few weeks apart to allow your body time to heal and respond to the microneedling and PRP injections.
What are your specific skin concerns? Are you frustrated by enlarged pores, acne scars, or wrinkles? Are you consistently dealing with dark circles underneath your eyes? Do you want to reduce fine lines, age spots, or sun-damaged skin? Have you been noticing bothersome changes in skin texture? Whatever your reason for pursuing microneedling with PRP, you’ll look and feel as if you’ve turned back the clock.
Plasma microneedling is an excellent way to take charge of your skin and experience the PRP benefits for face, neck, and chest so you can treat yourself to a non-surgical procedure that delivers noticeable results in a short span of time. Get ready to say hello to a dewy complexion and plump, hydrated skin!
PRP skin rejuvenation is suitable for all skin types. And no matter your skin tone, you’ll be able to enjoy the long-lasting PRP microneedling benefits that this procedure affords.
Hair loss tends to be most common among men, but it can happen to anyone at any age. Hair loss—also known as alopecia—can be triggered by numerous factors, including hormonal changes and genetics. A skin condition or autoimmune disease (such as alopecia areata, which causes sudden hair loss on the scalp, face, and sometimes other areas of the body) can also cause hair loss. And just like sagging skin, hair loss is a natural part of aging. Whether your hair loss is temporary or permanent, we want to reassure you PRP treatments can be used for hair restoration, and it can also work well to prevent future hair loss.
The regenerative properties of PRP have made plasma microneedling a sought-after hair loss treatment. It’s a safe and effective alternative to receiving a hair transplant because the growth factors in platelet rich plasma therapy stimulate your hair follicles and promote new hair growth. By increasing blood flow to your scalp, PRP microneedling succeeds at initiating cell growth, which means that when your hair does grow back, it will be stronger and visibly healthier.
At Beacon Dermatology, we follow strict protocols before, during, and after your PRP treatment session. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities, and we are committed to delivering the most impressive, natural-looking results. Whether you come to us for one treatment, two treatments, three treatments or more, you’re bound to find that we never cut corners, and we use the highest-quality tools and technologies on the market.
The protocols we’ve established for microneedling with PRP differ from microneedling and PRP alone because the simultaneous application requires us to take extra steps as part of a successful procedure. Here’s how our clinic in Calgary prepares for every microneedling with PRP treatment.
Before you schedule your procedure, we must confirm that you meet the criteria to receive it. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your medical history, allergies, and any underlying medical conditions with which you’ve been diagnosed. If you have a blood clot and/or have been prescribed blood thinners, please share this information with us. Sharing information can lessen your chances of developing an infection or experiencing an allergic reaction.
If you are eligible to receive PRP with microneedling, we will schedule your treatment session and provide you with a set of instructions to follow in the days leading up to the procedure. You will be asked to avoid certain medications and supplements; to avoid prolonged sun exposure; and to discontinue the use of harsh skin care products. Your adherence to these and the other instructions we give you will help ensure that the entire procedure goes smoothly.
On the day of your plasma microneedling procedure, we will welcome you into our clinic and share more detailed insights into what you can expect.
Since we’ll be working with fine needles that can cause mild pain and mild discomfort, and we want you to feel as relaxed as possible, we will apply topical numbing cream to your treatment areas. This numbing cream will minimize your discomfort and put you more at ease throughout the entire procedure.
We will also draw a small amount of blood from your arm so we can begin the plasma extraction process. This blood draw is no different than getting bloodwork at your doctor’s office. Once your platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is ready, we will begin the microneedling process using a specialized device that penetrates your skin at a precise depth.
Immediately following your microneedling procedure, we’ll begin the PRP injections. These PRP skin injections will be going into the same spots where the microneedling device created microchannels in your skin. Our goal is to inject the platelet-rich plasma into the deeper layers of your skin, which will signal your body to begin producing collagen and elastin.
Remember, to promote collagen production and elastin production is to put yourself in a position to enjoy the many benefits of this advanced, two-pronged treatment approach.
After your procedure has concluded, we’ll supply you with detailed aftercare instructions. These instructions will explain how long you need to avoid direct sun exposure and tanning beds, what types of cleansers and moisturizers you should use on your facial skin, plus an overview of the most common side effects of this procedure, including mild swelling, bruising and temporary redness.
Don’t forget to avoid touching your face or scalp. It’s really important that you keep the treatment area clean so you lessen the risk of infection. Should you have any questions after you leave our clinic, we encourage you to contact us so we can provide clarification. Last but not least, we’ll ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment so our team can evaluate your skin’s response to the treatment session.
The most ideal candidates for PRP microneedling are individuals who have specific skin concerns and/or are struggling with hair loss. Your treatment plan will be tailored to meet your needs. Whether we’re targeting acne scars, stretch marks, or hair loss, the depth of the fine, sterilized needles on the microneedling device can be adjusted to deliver the most optimal results. Customization is always based on your individual needs and the severity of your hair loss or specific skin concerns.
Our goal at Beacon Dermatology is to deliver superior outcomes for all our patients. Individual assessments allow us to create a customized treatment plan that takes into account your skin type (or hair type, if you’re getting PRP therapy for hair restoration). We want you to feel comfortable with your treatment plan and be thrilled with your results. We’re passionate about sharing PRP facial benefits and PRP benefits for hair loss with our clients who are seeking a non-surgical transformation.
Our dedicated and enthusiastic team of skincare specialists can determine your eligibility during a confidential consultation in the comfort of our clinic in Calgary.
Is PRP microneedling worth it? Absolutely! We’re confident that you’ll be thrilled by the results you’ll see from PRP microneedling. These treatments are incredibly effective alone, so combining them unlocks the full potential of both. It’s like getting a double dose of skin rejuvenation so your hair will look thick and dense and your skin plump and healthy.
The benefits of microneedling with PRP are yours to reap! But just remember that even though each treatment is effective when you undergo them separately, you’ll miss out on the synergistic benefits available when they’re combined.
Ready to experience all the PRP microneedling benefits we’ve discussed? Contact our clinic to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified dermatologists. You may call us at 587-391-3665 or fill out our online submission form.
