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From the desk of Leon Forrester Tcheupdjian, M.D. at the Liposuction and Cosmetic Surgery Institute
What is platelet-rich-plasma therapy?
For the last few years, it has been a matter of when, not if, cosmetic surgeons would find a practical application for platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) therapy in our offices. Last year, the Vampire FaceLift was launched by Eclipse Aesthetics, which meant that PRP had arrived in the world of cosmetic surgery.
Physicians have experimented with PRP for decades, but only recently has it gained momentum in the medical field. It gained big press this past summer in my hometown of Chicago when news broke that Brian Urlacher, star middle linebacker for our Chicago Bears, had the procedure done to help heal his torn PCL ligament in his ailing knee.
The first question everyone always asks is, “How does it work?” Answering that question can create confusion, but here’s what happens in a nut shell. Blood is drawn from the patient. That blood is placed in a centrifuge and spun to isolate the three main components of human blood: plasma, white blood cells/platelets and red blood cells.
The key part of your blood, for PRP therapy purposes at least, are the platelets because they contain eight essential growth factors that instinctively heal and repair ailments in your body. So by isolating and activating those growth factors, and re-injecting them into the affected area of your body, the theory is that those isolated growth factors will help accelerate and improve the healing process.
Cosmetic medicine welcomes platelet-rich-plasma therapy…
The next question obviously is how do we, as cosmetic surgeons, use it to enhance and rejuvenate your youthful beauty? That’s where Eclipse’s Vampire FaceLift comes in. We’re one of the initial practices to offer the Vampire FaceLift in Chicago. We start by administering a traditional hyaluronic acid. You’re probably already familiar with the popular hyaluronic acids on the market (Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane, etc). Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring water-bonding molecule in your body. In your facial skin in particular, hyaluronic acid facilitates the production of elastin and collagen, which together maintain the youthful structure and appearance of your skin.
However, as we age our hyaluronic acid levels naturally decline. Excessive sun exposure leads to even more rapid decline in hyaluronic acid. We use products like Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane to increase your hyaluronic acid levels, thus stimulating the growth of new elastin and collagen, thus rejuvenating your youthful facial look.
But, what if we took it a step further? That’s what we aim to do with the Vampire FaceLift in our Chicago and suburban Chicago practices. By isolating your platelets and injecting them on top of the hyaluronic acid, the elastin and collagen stimulation increases. Think of it as a kickstart.
Kim Kardashian keeps up with the latest in cosmetic medicine … the Vampire FaceLift
The procedure is reaching a new level of popularity, as Life and Style magazine recently reported that Kim Kardashian recently had the procedure done in Miami. Since the article ran, inquiries about the procedure have increased. As the article notes, because we use products that are naturally occurring in your body, and in this case, your own blood platelets, there’s no need to worry about allergies or adverse side effects. The treatment is completely safe.
Why with the Vampire FaceLift you don’t have to worry about adverse side effects or allergic reactions
Some naysayers will caution that it’s a new treatment and the results aren’t proven. Ridiculous. Decades of research have proven that the growth factors in your platelets are responsible for the growth stimulation the Vampire FaceLift relies on. So it’s really not a new procedure at all. The human body has been doing in naturally forever.
If you’re interested in the Vampire FaceLift and live in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, or are interested in traveling to our practices in Chicago, Arlington Heights, Oak Brook or Naperville, don’t hesitate to call our office with questions at 847.259.1000. Or send me an email at info@lipodoc.com and we’ll go from there. Thanks for reading.
Dr. Leon Forrester Tcheupdjian, M.D.
Leslie Forrester, R.N.
Liposuction and Cosmetic Surgery Institute
