Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) 血小板富集血漿 / 生長因子注射

What is PRP?

PRP is the abbreviation of Platelet-rich plasma. Through professional separation technology, the blood extracted from the body is extracted to separate high-concentration platelet plasma. It is a new trend in the treatment of tendon and ligament injuries and joint degeneration, and is also one of the categories of proliferative therapy and regenerative medicine.

What are the effects of PRP?

PRP is rich in a variety of growth factors and cell activation hormones, which allow damaged tissues to repair themselves, including local cell proliferation, cell migration, cell differentiation, and angiogenesis, and finally promote tissue regeneration, adjust inflammatory response, and accelerate wound healing. At present, clinical literature has confirmed that the application of PRP in rehabilitation can improve joint degeneration and repair tendon and ligament injuries. In skin medicine and cosmetology, it is used to promote the activation of skin tissue cells, treat baldness, and rejuvenate and anti-aging. PRP has become a new trend in medical treatment.

PRP Joint Injection

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy is widely used in rehabilitation medicine. Besides treating common osteoarthritis, it is also applied to conditions such as frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, muscle tears, tendon or ligament injuries, rotator cuff damage, joint cartilage injuries, and other sports-related injuries. It is advised to undergo a thorough medical evaluation and diagnosis by a physician to ensure PRP injection is suitable.

Who may not be suitable for PRP injections?

PRP therapy is not appropriate for everyone. A professional medical evaluation is required to assess a patient's health status. If a patient has any of the following six conditions, PRP injection might not be suitable:

1. Malignant tumors (presence of cancer cells)
2. Autoimmune diseases (where white blood cells attack tendons or ligaments)
3. Sepsis or active infection (bacteria present in the blood)
4. Complete tendon or ligament rupture, fractures (severe injuries that are better suited for surgery)
5. Uncontrolled diabetes (which affects the quality of PRP extraction)
6. Platelet deficiency

For individuals with platelet deficiency or those on long-term anti-platelet medication, there are alternative regenerative therapies such as Amniofix®, which utilizes amniotic and chorionic tissues from the placenta. This tissue is rich in 285 growth factors (including PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, bFGF, TGF-β1, EGF, etc.), cytokines, and chemokines, all of which help promote tissue repair.

Key factors affecting PRP injection efficacy

• PRP concentration: Effective PRP requires a platelet concentration 2-5 times higher than normal blood levels. Traditional PRP costs NT$15,000–20,000, whereas BaM Therapy, a biomedical-grade PRP, enhances platelet and growth factor concentration 3–5 times more through an automated separation system, costing NT$30,000–35,000.
• Removing excess joint fluid beforehand: In cases of knee osteoarthritis, excess joint fluid should be drained before PRP injection to prevent dilution and reduced efficacy.
• Image-guided precision injection: Using ultrasound guidance ensures PRP is accurately injected into the damaged area for better healing.
• Avoiding anti-inflammatory medications: Patients should avoid medications like painkillers or cold medicine after PRP injection to prevent interference with tissue repair.
• Adequate nutrition and sleep: Supplements such as collagen, vitamin B-complex, and vitamin C aid tissue regeneration, and maintaining good sleep habits enhances recovery.

How often should PRP injections be administered?

There is no universal standard for optimal dosage, frequency, or duration of PRP treatments. Research suggests that PRP intra-articular injections outperform hyaluronic acid injections for osteoarthritis, especially in younger patients or those with mild to moderate arthritis. Typically, 3-4 injections spaced three to four weeks apart are recommended, depending on the severity of tissue damage and individual recovery progress.

Although PRP is a safe and well-established regenerative treatment, it should not be seen as a cure-all. Always consult a specialist for evaluation and follow post-injection guidelines to achieve the best results.

PRP Scalp Injection

The principle of PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) scalp injections involves extracting high-concentration platelet-rich plasma and injecting it into the scalp to promote follicle repair, improve hair loss, and stimulate hair growth.

PRP Scalp Injection Process

1. Hair Loss Assessment:
   Before treatment begins, a physician will conduct a comprehensive hair loss evaluation. If hair follicles are severely atrophied, the effectiveness of PRP therapy may be limited.
2. Blood Draw:
   The doctor will extract 20–40cc of blood from the patient, which will be used to isolate platelets for treatment.
3. Centrifugation of Blood Components:
   The extracted blood is placed in a centrifuge and spun at high speed to separate components such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma, concentrating the platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
4. PRP Injection:
   The concentrated PRP is injected into target areas of the scalp, where growth factors help stimulate hair follicles and promote hair regrowth.
5. PPP Application and Red Light Therapy:
   After injection, PPP (low-concentration platelet plasma) is applied to the scalp for 10–15 minutes, followed by red light therapy to further accelerate scalp healing and hair regeneration.
6. Follow-up Treatment and Medication:
   Patients should follow their doctor's recommendations, which may include oral medication or other adjunctive treatments. Typically, the next PRP session is scheduled in 4–6 weeks, and 3–6 treatments are recommended for optimal results.

Benefits and Post-Treatment Care

Who Is Suitable for PRP Scalp Injections?

PRP scalp therapy benefits individuals with:

• Male/Female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) caused by genetic or hormonal changes.
• Alopecia areata due to autoimmune disorders.
• Telogen effluvium, triggered by stress, illness, or lifestyle changes.
• Traction alopecia, linked to prolonged hair pulling or excessive styling.
• General hair thinning where follicles remain active.
• Post-hair transplant recovery to improve healing and accelerate growth.

If hair follicles are not completely atrophied, PRP therapy can be highly effective. 3–6 treatments typically yield the best results.

Who Is NOT Suitable?

PRP injections may not be effective for individuals with:

• Fully atrophied hair follicles (PRP cannot reactivate dead follicles).
• Blood disorders (platelet dysfunction).
• Chronic illnesses (sepsis, liver disease, chronic infections).
• Long-term anticoagulant use (which may affect treatment results).
• Severe scalp infections (such as eczema).
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding (recommended to postpone treatment).

FAQ

Q1: Is PRP Scalp Injection Safe?
Since PRP uses the patient's own blood, there is no risk of allergic reactions or rejection, making it highly safe and compatible with other treatments.

Q2: What Is the Recovery Time?
PRP injections have minimal risks and rarely cause severe side effects. Mild soreness or bruising at the injection site is normal and typically subsides within two weeks.

Q3: What Should I Do Before Treatment?
Stay hydrated and eat a balanced meal to prevent dizziness during blood extraction. Inform your doctor about any health issues or medications before treatment.

Q4: When Will I See Results?
Results vary, but within 3 sessions (2–3 months), noticeable improvements are expected.

PRP Applications in Aesthetic Medicine

In recent years, cosmetic treatments have increasingly adopted combined therapies rather than single-method procedures. For example, in autologous fat breast augmentation, the primary goal is to ensure that the transplanted fat cells survive, and adding PRP enhances cell survival rates, leading to better results. PRP can also be combined with hyaluronic acid injections to improve nasolabial folds, making the effects longer-lasting.

Two Main Applications of PRP in Aesthetic Medicine

1. Post-Treatment Recovery: Surgical, Laser, and Chemical Therapies

PRP injections accelerate wound healing, shorten recovery time, enhance tissue regeneration, and reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, helping patients achieve expected results more quickly.
PRP can be combined with treatments such as:

• Skin laser therapies: Pico laser, fractional laser
• Skin tightening treatments: Ultrasound lifting, radiofrequency lifting
• Fat grafting procedures: Autologous fat injections for facial or breast augmentation
• Intimate area surgeries

2. Repairing Existing Skin Issues: Natural Regeneration

PRP can speed up healing of scars, depressions, and wounds, stimulating tissue regeneration for a filling effect.
PRP can be combined with treatments such as:

• Hyaluronic acid fillers
• Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid injections)
• Thread lifting procedures

PRP Aesthetic Injection Benefits

• Stimulates epidermal cell regeneration
• Reduces pigmentation
• Smooths wrinkles
• Enhances skin texture and tone
• Repairs acne scars, depressions, and wounds