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Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

Conveniently located to serve:

Tinley Park
Palos Heights
New Lenox

Dermatology Associates offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to help with hair regrowth and to achieve a refreshed, youthful appearance using your own natural growth factors. This regenerative therapy provides a biocompatible solution for skin and hair concerns, allowing patients in Tinley Park, Palos Heights, and New Lenox to restore lost volume and vitality while using your own biostimulatory mechanisms.

What is PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma is a concentration of platelets derived from your own blood. These platelets contain essential growth factors that signal the body to repair tissue and produce new collagen. During the process, a small blood sample is placed in a centrifuge to separate the plasma, which is then injected or applied to the target area to trigger natural healing.

Benefits of Platelet-Rich Plasma

PRP therapy in Tinley Park offers a biological approach to aesthetics by harnessing the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Common benefits of platelet-rich plasma include:

Uses biocompatible material from your own body
Requires minimal downtime for most patients
Stimulates natural collagen and elastin production
Supports long-term improvements in skin health and hair density
Complements other clinical treatments like annual skin checks

Common Applications of PRP

Facial Rejuvenation
For skin concerns, PRP injections improve texture and volume. It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and under-eye circles by strengthening the dermal structure.

Hair Restoration
When applied to the scalp, PRP stimulates inactive hair follicles. This increases blood flow to the follicle, which helps improve hair thickness and slows the progression of thinning.

Facial Rejuvenation – FAQs

How deep do you inject? How do you answer the depth question under the eyes?

The skin under the eyes is the thinnest skin on the body. Because of the thin skin, blood vessels commonly show “dark circles” in the tear trough. Inject as superficial as possible in the sub-dermal plane. You want to taut the skin to create a linear track. You should be able to see the needle through the skin. Technique: Inject 2cc per tear trough, entering from the zygoma and aiming towards the bridge of the nose in a linear threading technique using a 27-gauge needle. Selphyl can also be used with a blunt tip cannula. Inject as you withdraw the needle but do not come out of the original puncture site. Sometimes I use a cold spray on the zygoma where I enter the skin (diminish the discomfort). Do not cross your lines of injection as you do not want to disrupt the matrix. After injection, ice to injection site only. Only gentle smoothing over the tear trough area for 72 hours.

How do I know I have put enough product in?

I will see the area swell, I would never put more than 2cc over each tear trough.

What is the protocol for facial injection? How many treatments and how far apart?

Depending on the need of the patient, you must remember this is not a filler. The purpose is to accomplish an improvement in the skin texture and moisture. I use 8cc of product and I use the linear threading technique placing about 4cc on the side of the face. You can also do the fine lines above the lips and around the mouth. It is recommended to perform 2 treatments approximately 4 weeks apart. Remember…deep dermis is the plane you want to inject in to.

What do people charge?

$500-750/ 4cc, $999/ 8cc. We also have packages for 2 treatments- Example; $999/8cc however if paid up front, $1,750 for 2 treatments of 8cc.

How is your product different from the others?

Platelet-rich Fibrin Matrix remains at the site of injection. This matrix forms a scaffold and allows the growth factors to be released over 7 days, which is the life of a platelet. Injecting a liquid of PRP causes immediate release of growth factors and this PRP is absorbed and does not remain at the site of injection. There is no scaffold for the PRP to build upon.

Does it work in the hands?

Yes, using PRFM only will improve the tone and texture of the skin. I prefer to use PRFM (Selphyl) with fat injection. The benefit is the volume for smoothness plus the texture and moisture.

How do you address the patient expectations and outcome?

In most cases, the swelling will resolve within 24-48 hours. The site of the injection cannot be massaged for 3 days (72 hours). Patients’ outcome will vary just as expectation and outcomes vary in the use of filler. I have achieved better results with 2-3 separate injections approximately 4-6 weeks apart. My usual response lasts about one year. Setting the course of treatments and expected clinical outcome is the key to a happy patient.

Is Selphyl a filler?

No, Selphyl is not a filler. Selphyl will improve the tone, texture and hydration of the skin and stimulate new collagen production to produce a subtle increase in volume. The volume increase is more subtle than that of a synthetic filler.

Hair Restoration – FAQs

What is the mechanism of action of Selphyl for hair restoration? What is Selphyl actually doing to grow hair?

The Selphyl PRFM system allows for the prolonged release of platelet growth factors. This prolonged release stimulates stem cells, prolongs dermal papillar cell survival and increases angiogenesis. These factors combine to prolong the anagen phase of hair growth and shorten the catagen or resting phase. The result is increased hair thickness and hair follicle survival.

What size needle do you use? Can you use a 27 or 30 gauge needle?

I use a 27-gauge needle. I do know many physicians, however have used a 30-gauge needle with good results.

Do you numb the scalp? If yes how?

We use Pain Ease spray at the time of the injection. Pain Ease creates an instantaneous cooling effect on the surface of the site that temporarily numbs the area. My staff sprays the scalp and I then immediately inject. Other topicals for numbing have been used by several other practitioners. Most physicians are not using any numbing prior to treatment.

How do you inject the scalp? How deep? How far apart? How many cc's of Selphyl do you use? What is the frequency of treatments?

I use a 27g ¼ needle and inject .1-.2cc of Selphyl in the sub dermal plane about 1 cm apart. You may see a bleb in the scalp and the areas should connect to obtain complete coverage. My protocol is three treatments into the subdermal plane six weeks apart. I use 4-8cc, depending on the area to be treated. You must have enough to cover the area of thinning and/or area of balding. Typically, a full scalp treatment requires 8cc of Selphyl.

Do you activate the Selphyl in the red tube?

Yes, you must activate to allow the matrix to form and for the platelets to stay at the site of injection.

How do you present the patient outcome expectation?

I inform the patient that it takes 3 to 6 months after the final injection to see the full results. I provide this range of time because results can vary from patient to patient. I show them the growth factor release chart of 7 days and Dr. Sclafani’s paper about PRFM injected for hair growth.

What is the protocol? How many treatments and how long in between?? What is your post treatment follow up typically?

My protocol is a series of 3 treatments about 4- 6 weeks apart. The patient initially has photographs taken, consent signed, before and after instructions (emphases on minimal hair manipulation for 3 days post injection.) After the 3rd treatment, patients return in 6 weeks for a discussion, then 3 months for a further evaluation. They return at 6 months after the 3rd treatment and I re-evaluate the patients with photographs.

What do you say when a patient asks, "How long do the results last"?

I tell them that it varies with every patient. They will be checked at 6-month intervals and may need additional treatments. The timing of the additional treatments varies from patient to patient. For optimal results, a second series of treatments is recommended. I advise patients to contact us if they notice thinning or hair loss and/or new areas of bald patches in between their scheduled follow up.

What are the patient limitations after the treatment?

The patients are instructed that for 72 hours they cannot aggressively massage the scalp. They are told to be gentle when washing their hair and sleeping on the part of the scalp that was treated. We do not want to disrupt the matrix.

What are people typically charging for the treatment? Do most practices charge as a package?

We charge $1,000 per treatment and we offer a package of 3 for $2,700. Yes, most practices do a 3-treatment package.

Is it effective on all forms of Alopecia?

The primary focus has been on androgenetic alopecia.

Schedule Your Visit

Take the first step toward healthier skin and hair. Contact Dermatology Associates today to schedule your consultation at our Tinley Park, Palos Heights, or New Lenox locations.

708-444-8300

I was seen on time and the exam was very thorough – all my questions were answered. The doctor was very professional and attentive – the assistants were also very pleasant and helpful. Thank you.

Deborah V

Customer, since 2016

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Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)