From Kim Kardashian to Angelina Jolie, platelet-rich plasma (or PRP), has exploded into the public stratosphere, with high-profile celebrities sporting youthful looks for longer with the birth of this autologous treatment. Whereas only a decade ago the so-called ‘vampire facial’ was a relatively unknown phenomenon, PRP now is storming the world of dermatology on a global scale.
What is PRP?
PRP’s genius is that it utilises what you already have – essentially using your own body to promote healing and turn back the hands of time. Platelets, a.k.a. the gold-coloured cells that promote blood clotting, play a vital role in tissue repair and regeneration. They are what come to the rescue when you cut your finger chopping onions, stopping the bleeding and eventually healing the wound. When damage is present, your platelets recognise this and accumulate at the site, secreting a variety of mediators including different growth factors which stimulate collagen and elastin production to thicken and tighten the skin.
So, how has is this utilised in Medical Aesthetics? With a bit of centrifugation magic, these platelets are isolated and reinjected to promote both skin and hair rejuvenation. This is done simply by following the below:
- Take two samples of blood, via a standard butterfly blood collection phlebotomy set. The blood is collected in two PRP tubes, vacutainer vials that have been specifically designed and tested for contact with the human body. Critically, the tube will also contain an anticoagulant, which stops the blood from clotting and thickening prior to reinjection. T-Lab uses a sodium citrate anticoagulant, chosen for its natural and biodegradable properties.
- Directly after this, the tubes are taken to a centrifuge to be spun at a high enough speed to separate the properties of the blood. (the centrifuge you choose is of particular importance, but more on this later). The PRP and red blood cells will have now split into different density layers, with the PRP rising to the top, separated by a thin buffy coat layer.
- All there is left now is to collect the platelet-rich plasma and inject this into the target areas of your client. This can be done via traditional injection (with a meso needle), though microneedling is becoming a very popular method to apply the treatment.
The increased cell turnover of PRP helps with premature wrinkles, sun damaged skin, hyperpigmentation and acne scarring, and more. Dermatology is not the only application area for PRP. Alongside orthopaedics and sports rehabilitation, the results that PRP has on reversing hair loss is astounding. For many struggling with this, hair follicles become inactive and weak over time, and the growth factors present in PRP promote these follicles to reactivate at the injection points.
What is PRF?
You may have come across PRP’s successor, PRF. Platelet-rich fibrin is incredibly similar in application to PRP, with two major distinctions – in tube type and centrifugation protocol. Where the anticoagulant is key in PRP, it is the lack of it that distinguishes PRF. By removing the anticoagulant element from the tube, a spongey fibrin matrix is created, which signals the platelets to release growth factors slowly – up to a week after treatment. PRF is also spun at a much slower speed than PRP, meaning that other blood components such as stem cells, white blood cells and fibrin remain in the platelet layer and therefore treatment. Spinning at a slower centrifugal force also keeps more cells intact, entailing a higher overall platelet concentration. It is key to remember that PRF must be administered before the blood starts to coagulate (16 minutes in the case of T-Lab tubes), at which point it becomes unusable.
Who Is T-Lab?
T-Lab has been transforming the field of regenerative medicine since 2012, with their PRP and PRF tubes leading the charge. Their PRP tubes have delivered over 2 million treatments worldwide since launch, and are at the forefront of patient safety and quality. With a 95.2% purity, a 4.4 billion platelet dose and 82.6% platelet recovery rate, excellence need never be sacrificed with this cost-effective PRP system. Tubes are sterile, CE marked class IIB medical devices, offering a seamless autologous treatment with minimal swelling or bruising.
The two 10ml tubes offer 4ml of PRP each, and is perfect for skin rejuvenation, hair regrowth and orthopaedics - flexibility is key. It is in its simplicity where T-Lab PRP excels - by employing micropolishing technology, the highest quality materials, and a pH neutral anticoagulant, it supports an exceptional platelet recovery rate for the most effective results for your patient. By omitting homologous elements such as thixotropic gels, the natural growth factors and plasma quality are maintained between extraction and treatment. Similarly, the 24 pack of PRF tubes are carefully designed for minimal platelet aggregation and maximum efficacy.
Choosing a Centrifuge – what to look for
A centrifuge is the most integral step of a PRP treatment, yet there are no consistent regulations applied across training institutions on what to look out for when purchasing your machine. There are four items which are vital to identify on a centrifuge before making your investment.
The first of these is a UK CA Mark – UK certificate of authorisation. The three other features include a double lid lock, an imbalance switch, and an overheating monitor. None of these electrical components are cheap, which is why a low-cost centrifuge is the first red flag that it's not authorised for use in the UK. Outside of the legality aspect, centrifuges without these features are less accurate, unreliable and will likely break down – costing you more in the long run.
Hawksley & Sons recommend two centrifuges for PRP and PRF which offer you all the elements you need; quality, reliability and flexibility. With different rotor options depending on your preference, the H06 and S08 models are designed by Hawksley with PRP in mind. The H06 model is a more portable, fixed-angle rotor centrifuge which is suitable for any 10-15ml tube, including adaptors for smaller sample sizes. The S08 centrifuge is a larger swing-out rotor appliance, with 8 slots for your tubes. Both are known for their durability, with warranties included for your peace of mind. Any issues you do encounter with your centrifuge will be quickly resolved by Hawksley’s inhouse engineer, with a 48-hour average turnaround time. At Hawksley, we have been manufacturing centrifuges for over 80 years, and this experiences is reflected in the quality of all our models.
Thinking of starting out in PRP/F? Speak to one of our product specialists, Harvey or Natasha, to see how they can help you get started.