PRP: The Natural Treatment to Rejuvenate Skin, Strengthen Hair, and Relieve Joint Pain

Can you imagine a treatment that uses your own blood to improve your skin, stop hair loss, and help manage joint pain? That is the power of PRP – an innovative, natural therapy increasingly used in aesthetics and regenerative medicine. You can experience it at Ponce Medical Acupuncture and Intravenous Therapy with Dr. Antonio González Sotomayor by calling 939-222-2554 to schedule your appointment. We are located at Galerías Ponceñas Union 83, Ponce, PR

PRP for Wrinkles and Facial Rejuvenation

The passage of time, continuous sun exposure, stress, and certain lifestyle habits directly affect the skin, causing wrinkles, loss of firmness, dull texture, and spots. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) presents a natural, safe, and progressive option to combat these signs of aging without resorting to harsh chemicals or invasive surgery.

How does PRP work on the skin?

  • A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient.

  • It is processed in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, which are rich in growth factors.

  • This concentrate is applied to the face through intradermal injections or minimally invasive techniques such as microneedling.

  • PRP stimulates the production of type I collagen, elastin, and natural hyaluronic acid, regenerating the dermal structure and improving skin quality.

Scientific evidence supporting facial PRP benefits

  • Significant increase in dermal collagen: In a prospective controlled clinical study, the area treated with PRP showed an 89% increase in collagen density, compared to 46% with saline solution in human facial tissue, nearly doubling dermal density improvements (PubMed, Aesthetic Nursing).

  • Improvement in wrinkles and photoaged skin texture: A randomized split-face clinical trial demonstrated that six months after a single PRP injection, participants reported significant improvements in texture and wrinkles compared to the side treated with saline (PubMed).

  • Histological evidence of type I collagen synthesis: In a 21-day controlled study, skin treated with PRP showed significantly higher expression of type I procollagen compared to controls, demonstrating a clear regenerative stimulus (PubMed).

  • Systematic reviews reinforce benefits: Recent reviews concluded that PRP improves multiple facial parameters such as texture, pores, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, collagen density, hyaluronic acid levels, and luminosity. Additionally, combining PRP with hyaluronic acid showed synergistic effects on elasticity and firmness, particularly in middle-aged and older adults (PubMed).

Key clinical benefits

  • Reduction of wrinkles and fine lines, especially around the eyes, lips, and forehead.

  • Improved texture, tone, and radiance: the skin appears more even, smooth, and glowing.

  • Recovery of firmness and elasticity, thanks to collagen and elastin stimulation.

  • Progressive regeneration: results appear gradually, strengthening the tissue from within.

Who is it ideal for?

  • Individuals with mild to moderate signs of aging, sagging, or lack of radiance.

  • Those seeking a natural, safe, and minimally invasive alternative to fillers or chemical treatments.

  • Patients who wish to combine PRP with other aesthetic procedures such as laser, radiofrequency, or Botox.

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PRP for Hair Loss

Hair loss, whether due to androgenetic alopecia, stress, hormonal changes, or aging, affects the self-esteem and quality of life of many people. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an innovative therapy that uses growth factors from the patient’s own blood to reactivate hair follicles, improve circulation, and stimulate stronger, healthier hair growth.

How does PRP work on hair?

  • PRP is injected into the scalp in areas with thinning or hair loss.

  • Platelet growth factors such as VEGF, PDGF, and TGF-β promote angiogenesis and stimulate follicular stem cells.

  • This prolongs the anagen phase (active growth phase) of hair and improves hair thickness and density.

Scientific Evidence

Increase in hair density and thickness

  • Gentile P, et al. conducted a randomized clinical trial with 23 patients with androgenetic alopecia. After 3 PRP sessions, a significant increase was observed in hair count and hair shaft thickness compared to the control group.

Gentile P, et al. “The effect of autologous activated platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection on pattern hair loss: clinical and histomorphometric evaluation.” Dermatol Surg. 2015;41(9):1201-1208.
PMID: 25695478

Efficacy in men and women

  • Singh S. published a study in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, in which 10 patients with androgenetic alopecia received 4 monthly PRP sessions. Results showed improvement in hair density, thickness, and patient satisfaction.

Singh S. “Role of platelet-rich plasma in chronic alopecia areata: Our centre experience.” J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2015;8(3):161-165.
PMID: 26157304

Stimulation of follicular stem cells

  • Cervelli V, et al. demonstrated that PRP promotes the proliferation of dermal papilla cells and the formation of new blood vessels in the scalp, enhancing hair growth.

Cervelli V, et al. “Application of platelet-rich plasma in plastic surgery: Clinical and in vitro evaluation.” Tissue Eng Part C Methods. 2014;20(6):467-475.
PMID: 25258634

Systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Gupta AK, et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, concluding that PRP is safe, well-tolerated, and effective for androgenetic alopecia, improving hair density and thickness, especially when combined with treatments like minoxidil.

Gupta AK, et al. “Platelet-rich plasma as a treatment for alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;33(3):2013-2020.
PMID: 34967722

The scientific evidence confirms that PRP for hair is a safe and effective option to stimulate new hair growth, slow the progression of alopecia, and improve hair density in both men and women.

 

PRP in Joint Pain Management

Joint pain is one of the most common reasons for medical consultation. Conditions such as osteoarthritis, sports injuries, tendinopathies, and ligament damage can limit mobility, reduce quality of life, and create dependence on painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) has emerged as a regenerative therapy that not only relieves pain but also stimulates the repair of damaged tissues, promoting a more natural and long-lasting recovery.

How does PRP work in the joints?

  • PRP contains growth factors (PDGF, VEGF, TGF-β, IGF) that stimulate the regeneration of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

  • When injected directly into the affected joint, PRP:

    • Reduces local inflammation.

    • Promotes the formation of new, healthy tissue.

    • Improves intra-articular lubrication by stimulating chondrocytes.

    • Promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessels), enhancing tissue nutrition.

Benefits of PRP in joint pain

  • Pain and inflammation relief in joints affected by osteoarthritis or injuries.

  • Improved mobility and function, allowing patients to resume daily and sports activities.

  • Progressive tissue regeneration, unlike anti-inflammatories that only address symptoms.

  • Reduced reliance on medications, avoiding side effects from chronic painkillers.

  • Alternative to early surgery in mild to moderate joint damage.

Scientific evidence of PRP in joints

Knee osteoarthritis

  • Patel S, et al. conducted a randomized clinical trial with 78 patients with knee osteoarthritis. The PRP-treated group showed significant improvement in pain and function compared to saline and hyaluronic acid.

Patel S, et al. “Treatment with platelet-rich plasma is more effective than placebo for knee osteoarthritis: A prospective, double-blind, randomized trial.” Am J Sports Med. 2013;41(2):356-364.
PMID: 23299850

Better results than hyaluronic acid

  • A systematic review by Laudy ABM, et al. (2015) concluded that PRP provides better clinical outcomes than hyaluronic acid and steroids in pain relief and functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis.

Laudy ABM, et al. “Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injections in osteoarthritis of the knee: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(10):657-672.
PMID: 25157147

Duration of benefits

  • Sánchez M, et al. demonstrated that patients treated with PRP experienced sustained improvement for up to 1 year, reducing pain and improving mobility compared to controls.

Sánchez M, et al. “Intra-articular injection of an autologous preparation rich in growth factors for the treatment of knee OA: a retrospective cohort study.” Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2008;26(5):910-913.
PMID: 19032833

Tendinopathies and sports injuries

  • Mishra A, et al. found that PRP significantly improved pain in patients with chronic elbow tendinosis, opening the way for its use in musculoskeletal injuries.

Mishra A, et al. “Treatment of chronic elbow tendinosis with buffered platelet-rich plasma.” Am J Sports Med. 2006;34(11):1774-1778.
PMID: 17030655

Who can benefit from PRP for joints?

  • Patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis (knee, hip, shoulder).

  • Athletes or active individuals with tendon or ligament injuries.

  • Patients seeking alternatives to surgery or looking to delay it.

  • Individuals with chronic joint pain that does not respond well to medications.

In conclusion, scientific evidence supports PRP as an effective, safe, and regenerative therapy for joint pain management, offering long-lasting benefits and improving quality of life without the need for immediate invasive treatments.

 
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