Plasmolifting: pros and cons

Currently, cosmetologists and doctors offer many procedures that can rejuvenate our skin and remove wrinkles that have appeared with age. One of the methods of facial skin rejuvenation is plasma lifting (Plasma LIFT, Platelet Rich Plasma injection, PRP) - injection of the patient's own plasma, obtained from his own blood.

This is a relatively new technological method that is becoming increasingly popular, especially among the fair sex.

PRP is a method of skin restoration and polishing without the use of laser technologies. It has the advantage of stimulating the body's internal capabilities and activating its own rejuvenation reactions. After the procedure, any rejection of drugs and tissues by the body is excluded, since the injected drug is nothing more than the patient's own liquid blood.

Plasma LIFT is used not only on the face, but also on other parts of the body, including hair, which helps strengthen hair follicles and prevent hair loss.

The procedure is applicable to any type of skin. PRP directs its effect into the depth of the skin layers, while preserving the outer natural cover. Along with the increase in the activity of collagen fibers, almost immediately after the introduction of the drug, a qualitative improvement of the skin occurs. This effect lasts for some time, and the visible result remains up to 10-12 months.

Plasma LIFT is used on many problem areas: around the eyes, in the cheekbone area, on the entire surface of the face. With this technique, the skin becomes fresher, the number and depth of wrinkles decreases, and skin laxity and flabbiness are eliminated.

Indications for plasma lifting

• Age-related aging of the skin, wrinkles;
• loose skin due to sudden weight loss;
• excessive pallor or grayness of the skin;
• acne;
• skin restoration after excessive use of solariums and natural tanning;
• skin restoration after peeling;
• flabbiness of the skin, excessive dryness;
• weak, lifeless hair, excessive hair loss;
• cicatricial changes in the skin;
• consequences of an unsuccessful Botox injection.

In addition to eliminating cosmetic defects, Plasma LIFT is effectively used by traumatologists and orthopedists, dentists, urologists and gynecologists.

Preparation for plasma lifting

There is no need for any special preparation for plasma lifting. Before planning PRP, you should definitely undergo an examination: give blood for clinical and biochemical examination, analyze venous blood for infections (including AIDS, hepatitis, etc.), and evaluate the blood coagulation system. Consult with your doctor: you may need to take some additional tests.

This method is performed on an empty stomach. First, the doctor takes blood from the patient's vein (about 20 ml) into a special test tube.

Plasmolifting tubes contain an anticoagulant and a medical gel for separation.

Using centrifugation, the obtained blood is separated into its components:

• erythrocyte and leukocyte mass;
• the liquid portion of the blood, rich in platelets (approximately 1,000,000/μl);
• the liquid portion of the blood, depleted of platelets (< 150,000/μl).

Platelet-rich plasma is injected deep into the tissue using microscopic injections, after the skin has been treated with a bactericide. At the patient's request, the skin surface can be anesthetized: anesthetic ointment is often used for this purpose. After the injections, the areas are disinfected again.

The duration of this technique usually does not exceed one hour.

Plasma LIFT is recommended to be performed at least 4 times, with breaks of 1-2 weeks. Such courses can be repeated every year.

The effect of PRP can be seen in almost half of cases after the first session, but subsequent sessions will consolidate the result and allow you to achieve a lasting improvement in the skin condition. This effect can last from 1 to 2 years.

Harm of plasma lifting

Plasmolifting is often referred to as a "miraculous" procedure, but many patients wonder: is everything as good as we imagine? Can the rejuvenating technique harm the body?

As we have already said, Plasma LIFT involves using the liquid part of the patient's blood. The risk of blood poisoning during the procedure is minimal. By the way, PRP is nothing more than an improved, well-known autohemotherapy - a treatment in which the patient's venous blood is injected intramuscularly.

Since the new Plasma LIFT method stimulates the work of stem cells, some patients are wary: operations with stem cells have not yet been thoroughly studied, and there is no reliable information on how stem cells will behave after interference in their activity. Some scientists even discover some involvement of such cells in the formation and development of malignant neoplasms in the body.

Therefore, there is reason to believe that the harm of plasma lifting may occur in patients predisposed to oncological pathologies or already having such pathology. Here the situation is natural: if the patient suffers from oncology, then stimulation of stem cell growth may well provoke increased growth of the neoplasm.

For this reason, those patients who have a hereditary or other predisposition to malignant diseases should pay special attention to the examination before PRP.

Meanwhile, this technique also brings enormous benefits: it is a 100% opportunity to tidy up and renew the skin and hair, which is achieved by the very stimulation of stem cells.

Which is better, biorevitalization or plasma lifting?

The positive effect of biorevitalization is undeniable, but Plasma LIFT is no less effective. Therefore, the question arises: which of these procedures is better? Let's try to decide on such a difficult choice.

Of course, these procedures have much in common: they are all based on injections, the only significant difference is in the agents administered.

The main advantage of biorevitalization products is the presence of high-quality purified hyaluronic acid, which nourishes tissues and retains moisture in them, facilitates the functioning of cellular structures, and also activates the production of collagen and new cells, which, in fact, is a natural renewal of the skin. Vitamin combinations, minerals, and amino acids that are beneficial for the skin are added to biorevitalization products, but hyaluronic acid remains the main component of the product.

Let's move on to PRP. The main and only component of the administered drug is the platelet-rich liquid part of the blood - the patient's plasma. It contains an abundance of biologically active substances that are fully compatible with the patient's body, as they are "native" to it. Active substances are located mostly in the intracellular space of platelets, which are released when it is necessary to restore damaged and disrupted tissue structures. Centrifuged plasma implies the release of such released active substances that, when injected into the skin, have a significant restorative and rejuvenating effect on cellular structures, vascular network, muscles and collagen fibers. The administered drug stabilizes the function of sebum secretion, stops inflammatory processes in the skin, strengthens local tissue immunity, activates the growth of hair follicles when using PRP to treat baldness.

What conclusion can be drawn from the above? Each method is good in its own way, and this has been repeatedly confirmed by experience. The sensations from this or that procedure are individual, so experts recommend alternating courses of biorevitalization and plasma lifting, choosing for yourself a more effective procedure suitable specifically for your skin. Alternating these methods during one course is not a contraindication, but in this case you are unlikely to determine which method turned out to be more effective. However, the result from such alternation, as a rule, always exceeds all possible expectations: the skin becomes moisturized, fresh and renewed.

Laser plasma lifting

There is such a concept as "laser plasma lifting" - also known as "laser plasma treatment" or "laser plasma gel". Specialists are not inclined to use such terms, as they consider them not entirely correct.

The listed names imply:

• the use of platelet-rich liquid blood in a coagulated state. This clot is spread on the skin and treated with a laser beam, which allows the active substances to penetrate deep into the skin. This method is often called "non-injection Plasma LIFT";
• "plasmoplastic" procedure, which involves introducing a clot into the skin and coagulating it using laser exposure;
• use of hardware impact (photoepilation or laser resurfacing) with subsequent connection of the plasma therapy method or application of a plasma clot. This method is characterized by a better effect and a short rehabilitation period.

How often should plasma lifting be done?

Owners of dense skin may not notice a significant result immediately after the Plasma LIFT session, it will be noticeable only after 4-6 weeks. The most noticeable effect will appear only after a full course of PRP - this is from 2 to 4 sessions with breaks of 1-2 weeks. Such courses are recommended to be carried out no more than 2 times in 12 months, ideally - once a year.

How many sessions a course of treatment should consist of is an individual question. The number of sessions may depend on age data and the density and condition of the skin.

Up to the age of thirty, one or two procedures are usually enough. After 35, 3-4 sessions may be required, and for patients over 40, about 5 plasma therapy sessions.

The visible result of Plasma LIFT lasts for about 1 year, however, to maintain good skin condition, cosmetic procedures should be carried out, including peeling, as well as the use of special nutritional and anti-aging products.

Device for plasma lifting

An integral part of PRP is equipment, in particular, a specialized centrifuge, with the help of which centrifugal force acts on the blood, separating platelet plasma from the total mass.

In order for plasma therapy to be successful and without adverse effects, it is very important to use high-quality equipment and other components for plasma therapy.

The "correct" centrifuge for Plasma LIFT has certain requirements and parameters. For ideal separation of the liquid part of the blood, rich in platelets, the device must have at least 5 thousand revolutions/min. The required acceleration of the centrifugal force is 1100-1500 g.

One position of the rotor speed controller should not be higher than 100 rpm. Its operation should be smooth and stable so that the contents of the test tube are not damaged.

Test tubes for plasma lifting

Test tubes for plasma lifting are made of special heat-resistant glass - borosilicate glass, and contain a special gel filler with anticoagulant properties (with a heparin or fraxiparin component). Such a filler allows preserving the natural amino acid, hormonal and vitamin composition in the centrifuged preparation, that is, in the resulting liquid part of the patient's blood.

Plasma LIFT tubes should not cause any inconvenience during their use: they can be turned over, shaken and placed on a horizontal surface without the risk of enriched plasma mixing with other blood fractions.

The gel filler must maintain the quality of the obtained liquid portion of blood down to minus 90°C.

Needles for plasma lifting

For PRP, in addition to equipment and test tubes, specially designed double-ended needles or specialized “butterfly” needles are also used. The same needles as for mesotherapy can be used, complete with a three-component syringe and a special catheter called a “butterfly”.

Using specialized needles that are used to take blood from a venous vessel, as well as for plasma therapy and autohemotherapy, it is possible to significantly facilitate the collection of material from a patient.

Butterfly needles with a special device for a luer syringe must be sterile and disposable only. The needle itself has a silicone coating and an oblique cut with a high-quality sharpened tip. Due to this, the introduction of the needle into the tissue is comfortable and painless. In addition, butterfly needles contain a special apyrogenic latex-free hypoallergenic catheter.

Swiss Plasmolifting

Regen Lab – Swiss Plasma LIFT method, similar to the usual one, but using more expensive equipment.

The essence of the method is the same – injection biostimulation using the patient’s plasma, with the aim of restoring age-related and damaged skin.

After injection of PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), biological stimulation reactions are triggered with further collagen production and cellular tissue regeneration, which can really rejuvenate the skin and produce a remarkable and long-lasting renewal effect.

When PRP is administered, the following processes are observed:

• the emergence of a three-dimensional fibrin network;
• release and activation of a number of growth factors;
• involvement of stem cells and macrophages in the process;
• acceleration of division and differentiation of stem cells;
• stimulation of the production of extracellular matrix components (including different types of collagens).

The effect after a course of therapy can last from 6 to 24 months.

Plasmolifting in dentistry

PRP can also be used in dental practice as injections to locally enhance tissue regeneration processes.

Plasma therapy is used in dentistry for the following purposes:

• acceleration of the “integration” of dental prostheses, elimination of the risk of rejection of prostheses;
• treatment of inflammatory processes in periodontal tissues;
• elimination of bleeding gums;
• strengthening teeth and gums, preventing tooth loss and loosening;
• bone tissue restoration;
• acceleration of the rehabilitation process after surgical interventions in the maxillofacial area.

Plasmolifting of gums

The patient's prepared plasma is injected directly into the damaged gum tissue, into the area where the prosthesis is placed, into the tissue of the socket where the tooth was extracted, and into other soft tissues of the oral cavity in various forms of bacterial-inflammatory diseases. Injections of the liquid part of the blood enriched with platelets, due to the growth factors it contains, promote the growth of the capillary network, restoration of hemodynamic parameters, tissue nutrition and metabolic processes. Local immune processes are stimulated, the gums acquire their normal color and natural shape. The inflammatory process in the gums gradually disappears. Complete recovery usually occurs within 2 weeks.

Plasmolifting of teeth

Plasma LIFT allows stimulating tissue regeneration processes, preventing bone loss. Prepared plasma is injected into the area of bone prosthetics or plastic surgery, into osteosynthesis areas. After plasma therapy, active strengthening of bone tissue, maturation of matrix collagen and bones with the participation of morphogenetic protein is observed. As a result, tooth mobility (looseness) is reduced, periodontal pathologies are eliminated, and unpleasant odor from the oral cavity disappears.

Plasmolifting in gynecology

Inflammatory diseases in the genital area not only cause a lot of unpleasant sensations and discomfort. The inflammation process contributes to damage and changes in the structure of tissues, which has an extremely negative effect on the health of the reproductive system and the patient's intimate life.

Plasma LIFT is a technique that can cure inflammatory diseases of the genital organs and eliminate the consequences of the inflammatory reaction.

The therapeutic effect of plasma therapy is based on the growth factors present in the platelet mass. These factors activate tissue regeneration and also restore damaged mucous membrane.

Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs used in gynecology are designed to destroy bacteria that caused the inflammatory process and suppress the signs of inflammation. PRP is able to eliminate post-inflammatory consequences, restore damaged tissues and their functions.

Recently, gynecologists often use Plasma LIFT in the complex therapy of inflammatory pathologies of the genital area, with kraurosis of the external genitalia, with leukoplakia of the cervix, chronic endometritis, endocervicitis. Thanks to plasma therapy, doctors achieve a stable therapeutic effect and reduce the duration of treatment. Moreover, PRP promotes the restoration and healing of erosions of the mucous membranes (in particular, erosion of the cervix).

What can be done with the help of the plasma lifting procedure in gynecology:

• restore damaged tissues and mucous membranes;
• stabilize the monthly cycle;
• strengthen the pelvic floor muscles;
• make a woman's intimate life more comfortable;
• protect the body from the recurrence of diseases of the genital area.

Plasmolifting during pregnancy

Plasmolifting is strongly discouraged during pregnancy. During this period, it is generally better to refuse any medical manipulations - this can be dangerous for the future child.

Pregnancy is a direct contraindication to plasma therapy. The fact is that the effect of plasma therapy on the body has not yet been sufficiently studied, so no one can say for sure whether it harms the child or not.

For these reasons, we think it is not worth taking risks. It is better to wait a little, until the baby is born, and only then begin preparing for Plasma LIFT.

Plasmolifting at home

Despite the fact that Plasma LIFT is a relatively simple and safe procedure, this method is still a medical one and can only be performed by a specialist who has undergone the necessary specialized training and education.

It is not only impossible to do plasma lifting at home, it is also impossible. Not only does plasma therapy require special equipment that separates the liquid part of the blood, as well as test tubes that store autoplasma, sterile instruments, etc., but to perform Plasma LIFT, you also need knowledge that only a doctor – a specialist in his field – has.

Even a small injury to the skin can provoke the introduction of an infection into the body, and the consequences of this can be the most negative and unpredictable. To avoid this, do not self-medicate. It is better to trust doctors who have the appropriate certification and qualifications.

For the same reasons, you should not trust your beauty and health to unprofessional pseudo-"specialists". PRP should only be performed in a specialized medical institution or clinic that has the appropriate licenses and certificates.

And yet, plasma lifting – pros and cons?

A well-known specialist in plastic surgery, head of the Department of Cosmetology and Plastic Surgery at RSU I.E. Khrustaleva explains the existence of different opinions: “Plasma lifting is an accessible and popular method. Despite the relative simplicity of the technique, its effect is really present. However, many do not take into account the fact that the number of sessions, as well as what is added to the test tube with autologous plasma, play a large role in the effectiveness of the method. From the outside, the procedures are practically no different from each other, but the effect is different for everyone. Why? Because there is no clearly defined PRP technique approved by the Ministry of Health. As a result, Plasma LIFT does not pose a danger, but as for the benefits, everyone has a different opinion.”

Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences R.R. Akhmerov, who stood at the origins of plasmolifting, insists that plasma injections do not cause any harm to the body, including in terms of oncology. It is he who points out that one procedure may not be enough for a real and long-term effect: it is ideal to use about 4 sessions, only then can we talk about a positive and visible result. One or two sessions can guarantee a result of only 60%.

Indeed, many specialists try to combine autoplasma prepared for PRP with various additives: amino acids, hyaluronic acid, vitamin complexes. It is difficult to draw conclusions about the safety of Plasma LIFT. But, unfortunately, apart from clinical observations, no other studies on this topic have been conducted.

Of course, the desire of almost all women to look, as they say, 100%, is an incentive for the development of more and more new technological methods of rejuvenation. Every day, scientists work on new cosmetology methods that can restore youth and stop the development of age-related changes. Of course, before agreeing to use a particular method, it is necessary to thoroughly study it, evaluate possible contraindications and consequences. Unfortunately, women often do not think about this, mentally imagining only a possible visual effect.

Before going for plasma therapy, a woman should clearly understand what she expects from Plasma LIFT. As practice shows, plasma lifting restores damaged cellular structures, renews them. That is, after a session of injections, the skin will become lighter, more elastic, cleaner. Wrinkles will become less noticeable, and small ones will disappear completely. But it is important to understand that PRP is not a facelift: sagging breasts will not rise, and a double chin will not decrease.

Plasmolifting is, first of all, a medical procedure, the purpose of which is healing and restoration of damaged cells. Therefore, you should trust your health only to good, reputable doctors who will explain all the subtleties of Plasma LIFT, assess the body's capabilities and its general condition, which will allow you to avoid negative consequences and complications in the future.

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Contraindications to plasma lifting

• Taking blood thinners, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, etc.) two days before the PRP session;
• hypersensitivity reaction to drugs that affect blood clotting, in particular, to heparin;
• therapy with corticosteroid drugs, at least 2 weeks before the Plasma LIFT session;
• menstrual bleeding;
• period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• malignant neoplasms;
• inflammatory process in the liver;
• significant immune disorders, immunodeficiency states;
• antibiotic therapy;
• autoimmune diseases;
• thrombocytopenia less than 100,000/mcl;
• hemoglobinemia less than 100 g/l;
• low levels of the clotting factor fibrinogen in the blood;
• febrile conditions, high temperature;
• acute infectious diseases, septic conditions;
• unstable hemodynamics;
• platelet abnormalities;
• mental disorders;
• acute period of chronic pathologies;
• skin diseases;
• viral infections.

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Consequences of plasma lifting

Plasma LIFT is recognized not only as effective, but also as hypoallergenic and safe. However, there are still some minor but unpleasant consequences. Among them are red spots on the skin surface, minor swelling and bruises in the areas where autoplasma was injected. It is worth noting that bruises after plasma lifting disappear within a few days. They do not pose any potential danger to the body.

Swelling after plasma lifting is also a temporary phenomenon. Swelling is usually insignificant and disappears without a trace within a few hours. Therefore, if you undergo Plasma LIFT, do not plan to go out "in public" for at least the next 2 days.

Complications of plasma lifting are rare, but all patients without exception need to know about them.

• If you have taken medications affecting blood clotting before the procedure, including aspirin, citramon, cardiomagnyl, thrombo-ass, etc., then it is advisable for you to refuse Plasma LIFT. Otherwise, the following complications may occur: swelling in the plasma injection area, red spots, rash, extensive saturated bruises.
• If you have an acute form of an infectious disease or an exacerbation of a chronic disease at the time of plasma therapy, you should also refuse the procedure until recovery. Otherwise, the disease may drag on and become protracted for about 4 weeks.

PRP complications are transient and completely disappear within a few weeks. They do not pose an extreme danger to the body.

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Where do they do plasma lifting?

In our country, there are several specialized clinical institutions where PRP is performed efficiently and safely. It is important to remember that when signing up for a procedure at a particular clinic, you must make sure that they have the necessary permits and certificates to perform Plasma LIFT. Any patient should be completely confident in the qualifications of the people to whom they trust their health. After all, it is easy to lose it, but sometimes it is difficult or even impossible to restore it.

In a good clinic, before starting the procedure, the doctor will definitely conduct several studies and prescribe laboratory tests to determine the possibility of PRP and prevent possible complications. This technique has a number of contraindications, which we discussed above, and the doctor must make sure that Plasma LIFT is not contraindicated for you.

Plasmolifting courses

There are plasma lifting courses where doctors of plasma therapy are trained.

Plasma LIFT training usually consists of theoretical and practical components. Trainings are conducted by certified specialists at a clinical treatment base. Sometimes the courses are a specialized seminar with master classes.

A doctor who has completed a full course of study is included in the general register of plasma therapy specialists. Upon completion of the courses, he/she is issued a specialist certificate, which confirms the right to use this technological method, as well as methodological manuals on Plasma LIFT.

Prices for plasma lifting

The price depends mainly on the treated area, as well as on the number of such areas. For example, you need to do PRP of the skin near the eyes or the whole face: the prices, accordingly, will be different. The average cost of plasma therapy in our country is from 1000 to 4000 UAH.

• Plasma LIFT for the décolleté area – about 1200 UAH.
• Plasma LIFT neck – about 1200 UAH.
• Plasma LIFT hair – about 1500 UAH.
• Plasma LIFT facial – about 2000 UAH.
• Plasma LIFT face and neck – from 2500 UAH.
• Plasma LIFT on the face, neck and décolleté area – from 3000 UAH.

Prices may also vary depending on the specific clinic, so when preparing for the procedure, you should check its cost with your doctor or the manager of the medical institution.

Reviews of Plasmolifting

Of course, there can be no consensus on plasma therapy: some liked the effect more, and some less. However, almost all patients agree on one thing: PRP is a natural and safe procedure that does not cause intoxication, allergies, rejection and other side effects. The effect of plasma therapy is based on the natural stimulation of the hidden resources of the human body. In addition to the visible results of plasma therapy, many patients note changes in their general condition. After plasma therapy, blood flow in tissues is normalized, sweating is stabilized, and overall well-being is significantly improved.

Plasmolifting is a relatively new method in cosmetology, but its effectiveness is known all over the world. Patients are satisfied with almost everything about this method: minimal preparation for therapy, speed of action, short rehabilitation period, excellent result. And financially, PRP is far from the most expensive.

There are practically no negative reviews about plasma lifting. Dissatisfied patients are usually found only among those who got to an unprofessional "specialist" with dubious qualifications. The advice can be simple: do not trust your health, beauty and finances to the first charlatan you come across. Before signing up for PRP, you first need to check the permitting documentation, talk to former patients of the clinic, listen to reviews. In addition, too low a cost should also be a warning sign: no self-respecting specialist will conduct plasma therapy at a price below cost.

Doctors' opinions about plasma therapy are somewhat contradictory: PRP has both ardent supporters in the medical field and doctors who are somewhat pessimistic.