The Princess and the PRP

Regenerative expert, nurse Claudia McGloin answers all your burning questions

CLAUDIA MCGLOIN

Claudia McGloin is a registered nurse and holds dual registration in both the UK and Ireland. With over 27 years’ nursing experience, McGloin is the clinical director and nurse practitioner at The New You Clinic in Sligo. She is one of Ireland’s leading platelet-rich plasma experts and has performed thousands of PRP treatments. She has shared her expertise on the international stage and in various publications.

“IS ALL PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP) THE SAME?”

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has become an increasingly popular treatment modality in regenerative and aesthetic medicine. By harnessing the body’s natural healing abilities, PRP is used for various applications, from rejuvenating the skin and stimulating hair growth to accelerating wound healing and improving joint function. The concept is simple: PRP involves extracting a small sample of the patient’s blood, concentrating the platelets, and reinjecting them into the desired area to promote healing and tissue regeneration. However, despite the apparent simplicity of this procedure, significant variations exist in how PRP is prepared and processed, and these differences have a profound impact on treatment outcomes.

Understanding the critical variables involved in PRP preparation including the choice of kits, the centrifugation protocols, and the handling of the blood sample can help ensure that the treatment is as effective as possible. While PRP offers promising results, it’s essential to recognise that not all PRP is the same.

At its core, PRP is a concentrated solution of platelets, the blood components responsible for clotting and initiating the body’s healing process. Platelets are rich in growth factors and proteins that can accelerate tissue repair, stimulate collagen production, and promote the regeneration of damaged tissue. The preparation of PRP begins with a blood draw, followed by centrifugation a process that separates the blood into its components based on their density. The platelets, along with a small amount of plasma, are then isolated and concentrated into a solution that can be reinjected into the treatment area.

While the underlying concept of PRP preparation is straightforward, the methods used to process and concentrate the platelets can vary widely, and these differences have a direct impact on the quality and effectiveness of the treatment.Notably, the choice of PRP kit, the centrifugation settings, and the compatibility of these elements can significantly affect the concentration of platelets, the presence of leukocytes, and the overall growth factor composition of the final PRP product.

One of the most important factors influencing the quality of PRP is the kit used to process the blood. Different PRP kits have varying tubes for separating platelets from other blood components. These kits are often designed to create a distinct separation between the blood layers, allowing for the isolation of a PRP layer. However, the effectiveness of this separation process can depend on several factors, including the kit’s design, the material used for the collection tubes, and the processing protocol.

The choice of kit is crucial because it directly affects the concentration of platelets, white blood cells, and other plasma components in the final PRP product. Some kits also include additives or special coatings designed to enhance the efficacy of platelet activation or improve the quality of platelet separation. Using a kit that is not designed for re-injection or isincompatible with the practitioner’s intended treatment protocol can lead to suboptimal results and potential complications.

Unfortunately, some practitioners may attempt to cut costs by using unlicensed or subpar kits, which can lead to inconsistent results and complications. For this reason, it is essential to choose high-quality, clinically-approved PRP kits that have been specifically designed for the intended purpose.

Centrifugation plays a vital role in PRP preparation by separating the blood into its components. During the centrifugation process, the blood is spun at high speeds, causing the denser components (such as red blood cells) to move to the bottom of the collection tube, while the lighter components (including platelets and plasma) remain at the top. The speed, duration, and temperature of the centrifugation process can all influence how effectively the platelets are concentrated and separated from other blood cells.

In general, centrifuge speed is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), and the time for which the blood is spun can range from five to 15 minutes. Faster spins or longer centrifugation times typically result in higher platelet concentrations, but they can also cause platelet activation or damage, leading to reduced efficacy. Likewise, the type of centrifuge used whether a fixedangle or swinging-bucket centrifuge can affect the efficiency of the separation process and the yield of PRP.

Another critical factor to consider is the compatibility between the PRP kit and the centrifuge. Not all centrifuge systems are suitable for every PRP kit, and using incompatible equipment can result in inefficient separation or suboptimal platelet yields. This is why it’s essential to follow manufacturer recommendations and use both compatible kits and centrifuge systems to achieve the best results.

The platelet concentration can be influenced by several factors, including the PRP kit used, the centrifugation protocol, and the presence of white blood cells. Some protocols emphasise platelet activation by adding calcium chloride or thrombin before injection while others opt for a more controlled, slower activation process. Both the concentration and activation state of the platelets can affect the potency of the growth factors released during the PRP procedure, and these variations can lead to different treatment outcomes.

There is currently no universal standard for how PRP should be prepared or applied. In some countries, PRP therapy can only be performed by licensed physicians, which can help ensure that the procedure is done safely and effectively. However, in many cases, lack of regulation and standardisation can lead to inconsistent results, increasing the risk of suboptimal outcomes or complications.

While PRP is an amazing regenerative aesthetic treatment, its success relies on understanding and managing the many variables involved in the preparation process. The choice of PRP kit, centrifuge settings, and blood handling protocols all contribute to the final quality and efficacy of the treatment. To achieve consistent, high-quality results, practitioners need to use clinically approved PRP kits, compatible centrifuge systems, and wellestablished protocols. By recognising why all PRP is not the same and optimising these variables, medical professionals can help ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients, advancing the field of regenerative medicine in the process.

If you have questions regarding any aspect of regenerative medicine – PRP, PPP, PRF, polynucleotides, exosomes – or questions relating to treatments, please get in touch, either by contacting Aesthetic Medicine magazine or emailing claudia@thenewyouclinic.ie.