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From the desk of Dr. Leon Forrester Tcheupdjian, M.D.
The last entry in my “What’s new in cosmetic medicine in 2014?” series deals with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments. PRP can’t be grouped into one category, just because it can be far reaching across the spectrum of cosmetic surgery and medicine (most uses actually fall outside of cosmetic medicine). But as more PRP research and results come forward, doctors like me simply can’t ignore that PRP will eventually become common practice, both in cosmetic medicine and all other types of medicine.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP is finding its way into every aspect of medicine. Famous athletes like Kobe Bryant and Brian Urlacher made the treatment famous, but they were treating joint ailments. These days, in our practices in Chicago, Arlington Heights, Oak Brook and Naperville we’re using PRP in correlation with traditional cosmetic surgery treatments. The platelet-rich plasma comes straight from your own blood. We take a small sample of your blood, spin it in a centrifuge to separate the blood and isolate the PRP. We then use that PRP during your treatment.
Vampire FaceLift uses PRP to enhance the results of traditional Juvederm and Restylane treatments
You might have heard about the Vampire FaceLift, which celebrities like Bar Rafaeli and Kim Kardashian have openly endorsed. The Vampire FaceLift is little more than using platelet-rich plasma in correlation with the traditional hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane. (Don’t mind the bloody mess pictures you’ve seen of Rafaeli and Kardashian; they’re simply playing it up for the cameras.)
PRP used in correlation with hair restoration for stronger, more plentiful grafts
Just recently, we’ve also starting offering PRP as an ad-on to our hair restoration procedures. While attacking male-pattern baldness with PRP alone has its question marks, growing evidence suggests PRP helps the overall health and potential of harvested hair grafts used in hair restoration procedures.
As we move forward in cosmetic medicine, I’m sure we’ll use PRP more and more in correlation with traditional treatments.
Until then, I’ll continue on my look out for the best, most innovative new treatments to offer my patients. When I look at my practice ten years ago and compare it to what I offer today, we have technologies today that I once could only dream of. I can’t help but be excited about the future of cosmetic medicine. Whatever treatments the future holds, you can bet that I’ll offer them all to my patients. Until then, if you’d like to see me for a consultation for the treatments I wrote about today or any other treatment, click here or call 847.259.1000. I’d love to see you in my office.
