Micro-Needling Versus Micro-Needling with PRP
Micro-Needle Therapy
Micro-needling with PRP, or without, addresses signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, as well as skin problems like acne scars, thinning or crepey skin, and stretch marks. Micro-needle therapy is minimally invasive, causing thousands of microscopic injuries across the treatment area. These injuries induce the body’s natural healing factors, sending collagen and elastin to repair and rejuvenate the skin. This thickens the skin and reduces signs of aging.
Applying a topical treatment after micro-needling allows the treatment to penetrate deeply into the skin, enhancing its efficacy and allowing for more even distribution of the product. Derived from the patient’s own blood, Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, contains several growth factors and cytokines that aid in cell communication and promote healing.
Applying a topical treatment after micro-needling allows the treatment to penetrate deeply into the skin, enhancing its efficacy and allowing for more even distribution of the product. Derived from the patient’s own blood, Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, contains several growth factors and cytokines that aid in cell communication and promote healing.

What is Micro-Needling?
The Micro-needling procedure, sometimes called collagen induction therapy, uses a small tool with a varying number of microscopic needles, usually 15 to 25, each smaller than the width of a human hair. Needle length adjusts, depending on the treatment area. When applied to the skin, it creates controlled, microscopic wounds that are invisible to the naked eye. The micro-injuries to the skin initiate the skin’s repair process which includes naturally producing collagen to the affected area. Even when the procedure includes no topical treatment, the rush of collagen and elastin to heal these microscopic wounds improves the skin’s appearance and reduces signs of aging.
The Advantages of Applying PRP
The micro-needling procedure creates thousands of microscopic channels in the skin, making it fertile ground for a topical application like PRP. To obtain PRP, your doctor places a vial of your own blood into a centrifuge, separating the platelets from the blood. He or she then places the platelets into the centrifuge to obtain the platelet-rich plasma, proven in numerous studies to speed healing and repair for everything from fine lines to hair loss.
Applying PRP after micro-needling is more effective than direct injections of PRP, as the micro-channels allow even distribution across the treatment area as well as absorption into deeper layers of the skin. PRP’s growth factors go to work in these deeper skin layers, encouraging collagen growth as well as the rejuvenation of collagen cells.
Conclusion
As a treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, both micro-needling and PRP work well. However, their true power is unleashed when used together, as benefits are amplified and healing time is reduced.
Visible improvements typically appear about 2-4 weeks from the time of treatment. However, optimal results are noticeable after 6 months with additional follow-up treatments. Therefore, a series of 3-6 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart is ideal for most patients. Although, some conditions such as; deep wrinkles, stretch marks, and extreme acne scaring could take up to 6-8 treatments for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years have you been a practicing plastic surgeon?
My first year out of residency was in 2005
Describe your philosophy and approach to cosmetic enhancement and treatment of patients
Philosophy: Superior advice predicated upon evidence-based medicine, innovative insight, and efficient execution.
Treatment goals: Create a natural-appearing, balanced aesthetic enhancement that complements the patient’s unique features.
What’s most important to you when treating patients?
Comfort and security: We strive to achieve the ultimate customer experience. In surgery, much like professional sports, talent typically prevails. Championships however, are won by the teams who subscribe to organizational excellence. Accordingly, with good surgical planning and sound judgment, the majority of routine surgeries follow fairly predictable outcomes. Hence, customer service makes the experience complete. That’s what ultimately differentiates you as a surgeon from the masses. And that is our goal: to exceed our clients expectations.
What does a consultation with you entail?
Initially, patient information is gathered including photographs, salient medical history, and aesthetic goals. Next, I perform a comprehensive consultation utilizing videos and interactive patient education software. Following the consultation, the patient reviews the surgical procedure, peri-operative plans, and financials with the surgical consultant.
What steps does your office take to augment comfort?
We offer several features to augment comfort: A VIP waiting area, complimentary beverage menu, and Wi-Fi connectivity, and complementary usage of iPads.