Your Immortelle: Information and Consent of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Important Background to the Consent Process
I wish to help you make an informed decision about your treatment options and any relevant alternative options. You may at any time decline treatment even after giving your consent.
Whilst I will make every effort to understand what significance you would attach to any particular risk it is important to me that you feel comfortable enough to question any point of concern during this process. Please feel you have as much time as you wish to reflect on the information given before agreeing to proceed with the treatment.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?
The liquid portion of blood and lymph is called plasma. Blood cells, dissolved gases, proteins, and other chemical substances are suspended in plasma. Plasma is the medium for transporting constituents in the bloodstream. Blood can be separated by centrifugation into the cells and the liquid plasma.
Plasma is composed of water and solutes, which include nutrients such as glucose, amino acids, fats, metabolic wastes (urea, uric acid, creatinine, and lactic acid), respiratory gases (02 and CO2), regulatory substances (hormones, enzymes), electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride), clotting substances such as fibrinogen and Factor VIII, and protective substances (antibodies).
Platelet Rich Plasma
Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are small, irregularly shaped clear cell fragments. The average life span of a platelet is normally just 5-9 days. Platelets are suspended in blood and are involved in hemostasis, forming blood clots to prevent excessive bleeding. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can be used for skin regeneration and rejuvenation. After an injury, platelets degranulate within 10 minutes to assist the formation of a clot, releasing growth factors into the local environment. 95% of the synthesized existing platelet growth factors are present in the wound within the first hour: in this first phase of wound healing, inflammation, and clotting take place in order to obtain hemostasis(this clot mostly consists of thrombocytes). During the second phase, the exudation, various factors are released to attract cells that phagocytose debris and bacteria and release factors that initiate the third phase, the proliferative phase of wound healing. Here, fibroplasia and granulation tissue formation occur. Thanks to the vascular ingrowth caused by platelets,macrophages come into play just as the direct influence of platelets begins to subside. Platelets are the pacemakers for wound healing.
Purpose of Treatment
Dermapen (CIT)
better known as micro-needling, is a non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment designed to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as scars on the face and body. This treatment uses tiny needles on a rolling styled cylinder that is moved over the skin to create tiny, evenly spaced puncture wounds.
This process stimulates the body’s natural collagen production by generating a wound healing response. The roller used should allow the skin to be tricked into thinking there has been minimal trauma when each fine roller end puncture the skin encouraging the body to produce new collagen and elastin cells in the papillary dermis. n addition, new capillaries are formed which helps it thicken and ‘plump up’. The procedure can be performed on the face and body. Numbing cream can be used to minimise discomfort.
This treatment has the ability to break up old scar tissues and stimulate collagen and elastin production that is similar to healthy skin.
PRP Vampire Facial
Improves skins texture, reduces scaring, promotes collagen production, softens wrinkles, reduces pigmentation, rejuvenates skin.
Contraindications and Relative Contraindications to Treatment
• There are no absolute contraindications to doing pure phlebotomy
• Inability to find a vein (after “third” attempt)
• Inability of client to tolerate the accompanying pain
• Unknown systemic illness of Client
• Client with a blood borne infection (Hepatitis B/C etc.; HIV)
• Underage Clients
Adverse effects/Side Effects
• Pain
• Bruising
• Allergic Reaction to plasters
• Bruising - a herbal product Arnica (Montana), bought as a cream or gel, can be applied.
• Itching - antihistamine such as Chlorpheniramine (‘Puriton’) 4 –8 mg can be taken orally and / or a 1% Hydrocortisone Cream can be applied.
• Allergic Skin Reaction to Plasters - this would be treated as above in ‘itching’
Additional Information
I will discuss with you, strategies I may employ to minimise pain during the procedure, such as the use of topical anaesthetics or ‘cold applications’.
Please advise me if you have an allergy to, or have ever had a reaction to, any such anaesthetic.