Skin aging occurs when the regenerative and homeostatic capacity of the underlying tissues starts declining. There are various treatments that can potentially restructure the damaged skin tissues, thereby reducing the signs of aging. This is called biostimulation, which promotes the production of new collagen along with elastin. Biostimulation also supports the vascular network and extrafibrillar matrix that form the skin tone and texture. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and mesotherapy are two renowned treatment modalities available for patients seeking total skin rejuvenation.
When it comes to cosmetic dermatology, skin stimulation and dermal rejuvenation are the primary factors for improving skin aesthetics. Exogenous fillers, including PRP and mesotherapy injections, can help obtain a dermal response for fibrotic skin conditions. As a result, reversing the signs of aging by augmenting skin volume can be quite easy.
Platelets are natural growth and healing factors. Platelet-rich plasma injections can, therefore, serve as storage pockets for a range of essential skin-repairing agents. Once the platelets get active after being administered into the skin, they provide targeted action for skin improvement.
Over the past few years, PRP therapy has become highly popular in the field of aesthetic medicine. Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other skin specialist doctors, including craniofacial surgeons, are employing it for treating numerous skin problems. PRP is useful in medical procedures for skin enhancement as it has growth-promoting properties. It speeds up the repair of damaged or aged soft tissues and helps improve skin appearance with little to no side effects. Doctors recommend PRP therapy for skin rejuvenation owing to the superior results this treatment offers as compared to pre-made concentrated growth factors serums used in other therapeutic methods like mesotherapy.
Mesotherapy for Skin Rejuvenation
Mesotherapy, also known as bio-revitalization or bio-rejuvenation, is an aesthetic medical procedure used to achieve younger-looking skin. It relies on specific plant extracts and multivitamin solutions injected transdermally to combat skin aging.
Mesotherapy is a non-invasive skin revitalization treatment that is suitable for diminishing problems on the face and body alike. The procedure is most commonly used for enhancing facial skin. But it is considered safe for rejuvenating aged skin on the neck too. Mesotherapy is also popular for combating hair loss and promoting healthy hair growth.
PRP Therapy vs. Mesotherapy
The basic difference between PRP therapy and mesotherapy is the type of serum used in both treatment modalities.
As you may know by now, PRP therapy relies on platelet-enriched blood plasma administered directly into the problem areas. This can be damaged soft tissues, ligaments, tendons, etc. Mesotherapy, on the other hand, involves a series of transdermal shots made with hyaluronic acid and a concoction of enzymes and bionutrients. Mesotherapy injections often contain minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium along with vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, to name a few. Amino acids, including alanine, arginine, glycine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, are also added. Other ingredients can include cytokines and reducing agents for inflammation.
Another important difference between PRP therapy and mesotherapy is that the PRP injections can be applied to any skin layer, whereas mesotherapy serums are only administered into the middle layer of the damaged skin area.
As for the efficacy of the procedures as a skin rejuvenation treatment, more research is available on the safety and effectiveness of PRP therapy than mesotherapy.
Although mesotherapy was first introduced in the early ‘70s, the scientific data pertaining to its potency is still relatively insufficient. Leading dermatologists perceive platelet-rich plasma to be a lot more effective in tackling aging skin as compared to mesotherapy.
Patients report higher satisfaction with PRP therapy as it is less time-consuming and usually more affordable than the alternative treatment.
Above all, mesotherapy can lead to some serious side-effects as the procedure uses customized injections, usually with synthetic components. PRP, on the other hand, is an extremely safe procedure because the plasma is derived from the patient’s own blood and thus, has high biocompatibility.
It’s interesting to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved either of these treatment modalities. Nonetheless, research shows that PRP is still a safer and more effective tool for controlling signs of aging. Its results are more sustainable than mesotherapy and significantly more pronounced as well.
Medical Research Backs PRP Therapy as an Efficient Treatment for Skin Enhancement
While mesotherapy typically focuses on specific signs of aging, such as wrinkles and sagging skin, PRP therapy can provide complete facial rejuvenation. By boosting collagen production, PRP stimulates soft tissue repair, which, in turn, helps overcome a range of aging skin issues, including fine lines, loosened skin, and dark under eyes. PRP helps bring a new glow on the face as it helps fill lost volume in cheeks, evens out skin tones, and build more tightness.
According to a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), PRP is proven to trigger a range of biochemical changes at the cellular level, leading to significant aesthetic improvements in skin appearance.
Another study published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy evaluated the effects of platelet-rich plasma on human facial skin. It was found to be an effective skin rejuvenation procedure with considerable skin firmness and wrinkle reduction achieved in various patients with as little as three PRP applications.
A group of researchers at the Department of Pathology in Anadolu Medical Center, Turkey, evaluated the usefulness of PRP in cosmetology. The group concluded that platelet-rich plasma not only increases dermal collagen levels but also accelerates skin rejuvenation by acting as growth factors and cell adhesion molecules.
Another assessment of the efficacy of PRP presented in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology compared the results on varying grades of facial wrinkles. The researchers found that even a single application of PRP can provide visible improvement in skin appearance without leading to excessive fibrosis.
In conclusion, PRP therapy is considered to be a better option than mesotherapy with respect to accelerated skin remodeling and regeneration.
If you are interested in buying PRP kits, check out the quality medical supplies available here.
