Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has become the most popular treatment option for various health issues. It can promote hair growth and muscle healing and treat various arthritis symptoms. You can also use PRP as a cosmetic procedure to address signs of aging, such as saggy skin, wrinkles, and discoloration. If you are considering this procedure, consult a Marietta PRP specialist to know what to expect during treatment. Here is everything you might need to know about PRP therapy and what you can benefit from it.

How Does a PRP Treatment Work?

A PRP treatment involves separating the platelets from the rest of your blood through a centrifuge machine. Platelets have unique contents that play an essential role in promoting healing and tissue growth. The blood with a high concentration of platelets is injected into areas that need treatment, such as your legs, back, and scalp, or back to facilitate healing and tissue growth.

First, your doctor draws small amounts of blood from your arm and seals the sample in a container. The blood sample is placed in a centrifuge machine to separate the platelets from your blood plasma.

Which Conditions Are Treated Using a PRP Shot?

PRP injections can treat various health conditions causing pain and affecting your daily life, such as muscle and joint injuries, osteoarthritis, tendinitis, and bursitis. They have also become popular in conducting various cosmetic procedures for skin rejuvenation and hair restoration.

PRP injections can also help accelerate healing after major procedures such as jaw and cosmetic surgeries. They help heal tissues that have long recovery periods after surgery, such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles. 

Who Should Avoid PRP injections?

PRP injections are not recommended for everyone, particularly those with serious medical conditions. If you have hepatitis C, skin or blood cancer, cardiovascular diseases, infection, or anemia, you might not be an ideal candidate for a PRP injection. These health conditions affect your platelets and might not provide liable results.

How Do You Prepare for the PRP Injections?

Before receiving the PRP injections, you should avoid taking blood thinner medications such as Ibuprofen and aspirin. It would help if you also took a break from your daily supplements and vitamins. Your doctor might also recommend eating before a PRP shot to avoid lightheadedness after and during the procedure. 

Also, depending on the type of PRP injection, you might need to be financially prepared as your health insurance might not cover it. For more clarification on preparing for a PRP shot, please consult your doctor and follow their guidelines to the letter.

What Should You Expect After the Procedure?

PRP treatment is a simple procedure that does not usually cause major or alarming side effects. After the shot, your doctor will advise you against washing the treated area for at least 48 hours. 

Some common side effects you might experience after a PRP injection include mild soreness and bruising in the treated areas. However, any sharp or intense pain should be a cause of concern that you should discuss with your doctor. PRP shots do not provide immediate results, but you might notice an improvement in the areas that received injections after several weeks or months.

If you have chronic pain or need to improve your natural aesthetic, talk to a PRP specialist from AdvancedMD Aesthetics of Atlanta. Depending on the type of PRP injection you need, you will receive a step-by-step guide on what to expect during the procedure and how to prepare for treatment. Visit the clinic’s online portal to get the contact details or book an appointment.