What is Facial Rejuvenation?
Facial rejuvenation is defined as any cosmetic procedure that improves the appearance of the facial skin so it looks younger and healthier. It’s a generalized term used to describe various surgical and non-surgical procedures that focus on eliminating or reducing wrinkles, improving skin texture, evening out skin coloration, decreasing pore size, and tightening loose skin.
While there are basic lifestyle changes that can be made in order to improve skin appearance, such as maintaining good nutrition, staying hydrated and faithfully using sun protection, sometimes they’re not enough to recover what is lost through the normal aging process. Collagen is the main structural protein of the skin, and is responsible for its strength, support, flexibility and elasticity. As we age, the collagen begins to break down and loses its ability to regenerate. Additionally, we begin to lose the subcutaneous fat that supports our skin. This makes our skin thinner and more susceptible to showing signs of aging (such as wrinkles). With thinner skin, structures such as pores, glands, and follicles become more prominent.
The field of cosmetic surgery has made strides in the field of facial rejuvenation, including prescriptive strength topical medications as well as minor but potent procedures including platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy, Botox injections, dermal fillers (Radiesse, Juvederm, Voluma), and medical grade skin care.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP is a procedure that involves utilizing your own platelets to enhance and restore areas of the face, neck, chest and even hands that are showing signs of aging. It is a minimally invasive procedure that involves getting a small amount of blood drawn from your own body, after which it is spun in a centrifuge to separate the different blood components. The plasma (clear fluid) is separated from the rest of the components, and is then injected into the skin in the facial, neck, chest or hand regions. Platelets will then stimulate the body to grow collagen which in turn improves the overall appearance of wrinkles and skin tone.
The entire PRP procedure takes approximately 20-30 minutes and requires no additional post-procedure care. Some patients may experience swelling or bruising, that resolves in a short period of time. Three treatment sessions are recommended, spaced 1-2 months apart, and results can be apparent in as little as 3-4 weeks after the first treatment.
