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Although blood is mainly a liquid (called plasma), it also contains small solid components (red cells, white cells, and platelets.) The platelets are best known for their importance in clotting blood. However, platelets also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors which are very important in the healing of injuries.
The first step in the PRP process is to obtain a small amount of blood. This is done in a similar manner to a blood test. The amount of blood required varies depending on the area that is treated, but typically, not more than 30mL of blood is required in most cases.
The next step is to separate and concentrate the PRP from the rest of the blood products (e.g red blood cells). This is done by placing the blood taken into special vials and spinning the vials in a centrifuge. The heavier cells, such as red blood cells, drop to the bottom of the vial, and the plasma that is ‘rich in platelets’ is left at the top of the vial. Once PRP is separated, it is extracted, into a syringe, which then would be injected in the skin to induce healing.
Which areas can PRP injections help improve?