PLATELET RICH PLASMA INJECTIONS AND TREATMENTS IN CALGARY

PLATELET-RICH PLASMA

Harness your body's natural healing power to rejuvenate your skin and hair. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy at PHI Medical Aesthetics in Calgary is a leading-edge treatment that uses a concentration of your own platelets to stimulate collagen, refresh your skin's appearance, and encourage hair growth.

What are platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections? 

PRP therapy is an advanced cosmetic procedure that uses a concentration of your body's own healing components to address skin concerns and hair loss. It starts with a simple blood draw. This blood is then processed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and growth factors, creating a powerful, golden-hued serum. This "liquid gold" is platelet-rich plasma.

This PRP can then be injected into specific areas (like under the eyes or in the scalp) or applied to the skin's surface during a microneedling treatment to deliver a potent dose of regenerative growth factors right where you need them most.

How does PRP work?

The magic of PRP lies in its high concentration of growth factors. When this plasma is reintroduced into your body, these growth factors send signals to your cells, kicking the natural repair and regeneration processes into high gear.

For skin, this means stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin — the essential proteins that give skin its firmness, smoothness, and elasticity. This helps to gradually improve skin texture and tone. For hair restoration, the growth factors help to reactivate dormant hair follicles and improve blood flow to the scalp, promoting thicker, healthier hair growth.

At PHI, we offer several advanced ways to experience the benefits of PRP:

  • PRP with microneedling: We combine PRP with our professional Innopen microneedling device. Microneedling creates thousands of tiny channels in the skin, which not only stimulates collagen on its own but also allows PRP to penetrate deeper for enhanced results.

  • PRP for hair restoration: For hair loss, PRP is injected directly into the scalp to target thinning areas, encouraging follicles to become active again and improving hair density.

  • Exosomes: To take your results to the next level, we are excited to offer Exosomes as an add-on to our PRP treatments. Exosomes are tiny messengers packed with growth factors that work together with PRP to boost cell communication, accelerate healing, and maximize skin rejuvenation and hair restoration.

What are the benefits of PRP?

  • Totally natural rejuvenation: Uses your body's own biological material, minimizing the risk of adverse reactions.

  • Improves skin quality: Enhances skin texture, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improves overall tone.

  • Addresses various concerns: Effectively treats under-eye circles, acne scars, enlarged pores, and sun damage.

  • Promotes hair growth: A non-surgical solution for stimulating hair follicles and improving hair thickness in the early stages of thinning.

Versatile and customizable: Can be used as injections, with microneedling, and combined with Exosomes or even traditional dermal fillers for both immediate and long-term benefits.

Common Treatment Areas 

PRP is frequently used to treat:

  • Under-eye circles and hollows

  • Full face rejuvenation (improving texture and tone)

  • Fine lines around the lips and neck

  • Jawline definition

  • Acne scars

Hair thinning and hair loss on the scalp

Before & After

Is PRP right for you?

PRP is a great option if you're looking for a natural approach to aesthetic improvement. You are likely a good candidate if you:

  • Are 18 years of age or older.

  • Are in good overall health.

  • Wish to address skin aging, texture issues, or the early stages of hair thinning.

  • Have realistic expectations for the outcome.

  • Are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

This treatment is not suitable for those with blood disorders, those undergoing anticoagulation (blood thinner) therapy, or individuals with an active infection. For hair restoration, PRP works best on those with partially active hair follicles.

The PRP Treatment Process 

Your PRP treatment at PHI is a comfortable, 60-minute experience tailored to you:

  1. Consultation and blood draw: We begin by discussing your goals and then take a small sample of your blood, just like a standard lab test.

  2. PRP preparation: Your blood is placed in a centrifuge that spins to separate and concentrate the platelets, creating your unique PRP serum.

  3. Numbing: To ensure that you’re comfortable, we will apply a topical numbing cream to the treatment area.

  4. Treatment: Depending on your chosen service, your Nurse Injector will either apply the PRP topically with microneedling or inject it directly into the targeted areas (like the scalp for hair restoration or under the eyes).

  5. Aftercare: You’ll receive specific instructions from your nurse. You may notice some mild redness or swelling, which typically resolves within one to two days.

How long will PRP injections last?

The benefits of PRP develop over time as your body builds new collagen and repairs tissue. Many people notice gradual improvements over several months. For skin rejuvenation, results can last up to 18 months. For hair restoration, a series of treatments is usually needed for the best outcome, with maintenance sessions to follow. Your Nurse Injector will develop a personalized treatment plan for you.

What to Expect During Treatment

The treatment itself will take approximately 60 minutes due to preparation time. First, blood must be drawn from you. We then separate the blood cells and draw out the “liquid gold”/PRP. Depending on the treatment you choose, we can apply the PRP on top of the skin with your micro-needling treatment, injected directly into the area (hair restoration) or injected underneath (eyes, jawbone, necklines, around the lips). Depending on the treatment choice, we can apply topical numbing cream to keep you comfortable. 


 FAQs

  • In the week leading up to your appointment, it's generally recommended to avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements like aspirin, ibuprofen, and fish oil to minimize the risk of bruising. We will provide you with detailed pre-treatment instructions.

  • Most people feel minimal discomfort, often described as a slight pinching or pressure. We use topical numbing cream to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

  • There is minimal downtime with PRP. You may experience some mild redness and swelling for a day or two, but you can typically return to your normal activities immediately after the treatment.

  • The number of treatments needed varies depending on your individual goals and the condition of your skin. For optimal results, a series of three treatments spaced about a month apart is often recommended. We will create a personalized treatment plan for you during your consultation.

  • We recommend avoiding caffeine for a day or two before and after your treatment. Caffeine can constrict blood vessels, which may slightly interfere with the delivery of the healing growth factors to the treatment area. Skipping your coffee helps ensure the best possible environment for regeneration.

  • In Canada, aesthetic treatments like PRP are generally not covered by provincial health insurance plans (like Alberta Health Care). However, if your private insurance plan includes a "Health Spending Account" or "Flexible Spending Account," you may be able to use those funds to cover the cost of your treatment. We recommend checking with your insurance provider directly.

  • Yes, PRP can be a great complement to other treatments like microneedling. Combining therapies can often enhance the overall results. We can discuss your best options during your consultation.

  • While PRP is widely used in orthopedic medicine for joint issues and shows promise in promoting a healing environment, its primary role in aesthetics is for skin and hair rejuvenation. At PHI, we do not use PRP for the purpose of regrowing joint cartilage.

  • PRP is explored as a treatment for osteoarthritis to help reduce inflammation and pain, and many studies show positive results for improving joint function. However, as a medical aesthetics clinic, our focus at PHI is on using PRP for skin and hair treatments, not for managing arthritis.