Blood Cells and Growth Factors: What Makes Your PRP Results Different?
No matter who you are, regardless of your age or fitness level, most people experience significant benefits from their PRP procedure. Yet, there's a fortunate minority that witnesses remarkable improvements after just one or two treatments. On the flip side, a few individuals might not see as much positive change. But why does this happen?
A great deal of research is underway to understand the effects of PRP on healing and tissue growth. While opinions vary on how PRP precisely impacts the body, most doctors agree that the activated growth factors within platelet-rich plasma play a role in stimulating healing and tissue growth to some extent. In simpler terms, these growth factors attract stem cells that have the potential to develop into different types of cells, which helps with regeneration.
However, the level of healing and regeneration can differ from person to person due to various factors. Elements like your overall health, age, diet, exercise habits, and medications you take can influence the outcomes you experience from PRP.
A contributing factor is the concentration of red blood cells in your plasma. When we extract platelet-rich plasma from your blood, some individuals end up with a lower volume of PRP than others. Less PRP means fewer growth factors, which in turn might lead to less impressive results. Furthermore, certain aspects of your health, like cardiovascular well-being and immune function, can affect your body's ability to regenerate tissue. Even common medications, over-the-counter pain relievers, and substances like recreational drugs and alcohol can undermine the effectiveness of the PRP procedure.
How to Enhance Your PRP Results:
1. Engage in High-Intensity Cardio Exercise: Increasing your red blood cell production and fortifying your immune system is crucial. Vigorous cardiovascular workouts not only raise red blood cell levels but also boost your PRP yield from the blood. A robust immune system and enhanced PRP production work together to provide optimal outcomes.
2. Embrace a Diet Rich in Green Leafy Vegetables: Altering dietary habits might be challenging, but it's a pivotal step. Incorporating more leafy greens, cutting back on sugary, processed, fatty foods, and consuming smaller, balanced meals throughout the day yields multiple benefits. This change supports improved immunity, better circulation due to lowered cholesterol, and balanced hormone levels—all contributing to successful PRP outcomes.
3. Avoid Smoking, Drinking, and Substance Use: These recommendations may sound like common sense, but they hold true for almost any medical procedure, including PRP. Smoking, especially, adversely affects PRP results. Not only does it reduce the PRP volume attainable from a given amount of blood, but the toxins in cigarette smoke also hinder the functionality of stem cells. Scientific literature reveals that smoking's toxic components, such as nicotine and carbon monoxide, can impede efficient wound healing.
4. Increase B-Vitamins and Hydration: Elevating your intake of B-Vitamins, particularly Vitamin B12, and maintaining adequate hydration prior to the procedure can raise your red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels, among other advantages. The spectrum of B-Vitamins is essential for overall health and can be obtained from a diverse range of nutritious foods, both plant and animal-based.
5. Steer Clear of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Refrain from using medications like aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, NSAIDs, or Corticosteroids for around 5 days before and after the procedure. These drugs can inhibit the natural inflammatory response of stem cells. However, acetaminophen (Paracetamol, etc.) is safe to use.
6. Adhere to Your Post-Procedure Plan: Your doctor will provide guidance on the best post-procedure routine to optimize results. Following this routine diligently is crucial. For instance, you might be advised to avoid sun exposure for up to 6 days after treatment and consistently apply sunscreen when outdoors. Maintaining a clean and moisturized face while avoiding picking at scabs is also essential.
By adhering to these straightforward steps, we are confident that your PRP procedure's outcomes will exceed your expectations. Remember, the benefits of PRP become evident over time. Instant results are often desired, but the body operates on its schedule. Patience is key. Document your progress with photos and notes to observe the transformation throughout the healing process. The disparity between where you began and where you are now might pleasantly surprise you.