Beyond the Basics: What Makes PRP Microneedling a Skin Savior?

PRP microneedling is a tidal shift in aesthetics and anti-aging skincare. 

Using the healing abilities of your own body, microneedling with PRP is an amazing, minimally invasive skincare technique that can give your skin a youthful glow. Microneedling is all-natural and it encourages your body to produce collagen and improve cell turnover. 

Read on to learn more about why PRP microneedling is the hot esthetics trend for 2024. 

• What Is PRP Microneedling?
• What Is Microneedling With PRP Good For?
• What Are the Benefits of PRP Microneedling?
• Frequently Asked Questions About PRP Microneedling
• Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics: Obtain Your PRP Microneedling Certification at the Most Advanced Aesthetics School in Portland 

PRP microneedling is an amazing two-part system that improves the quality of your skin using your own body’s natural healing capability. To understand PRP microneedling, let's break it down into two parts. 

• Platelet-Rich Plasma: The first part of PRP microneedling is PRP, or platelet-rich plasma. This incredible healing serum does not come from a factory but from your own body! First, a licensed esthetician will painlessly draw a small amount of your blood from your arm. 

This blood is then placed into a centrifuge, which separates the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of your blood. What is left is pure PRP. 

This golden-colored serum is incredibly beneficial to your skin, filled with collagen and other healing proteins. The PRP is applied to your face to work with the next step, microneedling 

• Microneedling: Microneedling is exactly what it sounds like. Your esthetician will use a stylus about the size of a large marker, and in that stylus are sterile, stainless steel microneedles. 

These microneedles penetrate the skin, but not far enough to draw blood (you already did that part). Instead, these needles create microscopic channels in your top layers of skin that allow the healing PRP to penetrate beyond the top two layers of skin. 

The results are natural, effective skincare leaving your face looking fresher and brighter!

How Does PRP Microneedling Work?

What should you expect during a PRP microneedling treatment? Here is a breakdown of how a PRP microneedling facial works:

• First, your esthetician will painlessly take a sample of blood from your arm, like at the doctor’s office. That is why PRP microneedling estheticians must also be trained phlebotomists. 
• This blood sample is then filtered in a centrifuge, removing all the blood matter except for platelet-rich plasma, or PRP.
• This PRP is then re-introduced to the client's skin. 
• To assist the skin in absorbing this miraculous healing serum, the esthetician will use a microneedling stylus on the skin. This device contains medical-grade stainless steel microneedles, which create channels in the skin allowing the PRP to go beyond the moisture barrier. This encourages deep skin cell turnover and the production of collagen and elastin. 

It is important to note that microneedles do not penetrate the skin like tattoo needles do. Aside from the small blood draw for PRP, there is no bleeding in PRP microneedling! The microneedles only go past the first two to three layers of skin to allow for deep PRP permeation. 

PRP microneedling estheticians are carefully trained for this delicate medical spa procedure and are in high demand. If you want to learn more, check out the Spectrum Advanced Esthetics Microneedling Program in Portland, OR, where you will not only learn esthetician procedures but also receive a phlebotomy certification for blood draws. 

The beauty of PRP microneedling is that it benefits a wide variety of skin conditions. This minimally invasive procedure is great for anyone who is hoping to achieve firmer, healthier-looking skin. 

PRP with microneedling is especially good for:

• Large pores
• Hyperpigmentation and sun damage 
• Acne scars 
• Uneven skin texture and tone
• Facial surgery scars 
• Dull, tired skin 
• Fine lines, especially “smokers lines” around the mouth
• Dark bags under the eyes 
• Crows feet, worry lines 
• Anyone who wants fresher, younger-looking skin! 

Interested in becoming an esthetician? Check out Spectrum’s advanced esthetics program to learn more. 

PRP with microneedling is a groundbreaking facial treatment, and that's not just talking! The following benefits of PRP microneedling have been backed by science:

Collagen Boosting

Collagen is a naturally occurring protein molecule found in our skin. Collagen has many roles in the body, but for the skin, it helps create structural support and prevent wrinkles. As we age, our bodies naturally begin to produce less collagen. 

Microneedling with PRP has been scientifically proven to stimulate collagen growth in facial skin, improving skin firmness and overall appearance. 

No Fillers Required! 

Botox and fillers might be all the rage, but there are a lot of people who are concerned about putting these substances in their bodies.  

With microneedling and PRP, there is no botox and no fillers. The PRP comes from your own body and is absorbed with the help of microneedles. 

Minimally Invasive & No Downtime

A session of PRP with microneedling usually takes about an hour, no more than two. Most patients drive home after PRP microneedling. 

Great for Stubborn Acne Scars

Acne scars got you down? There is a solution! PRP microneedling is great for minimizing the appearance of acne scars because it penetrates further into the skin than topical treatments and encourages healing. 

In fact, several studies have shown that PRP with microneedling can help heal even the most stubborn of facial scarring. 

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for PRP Microneedling?

Who is a good candidate for PRP microneedling? Everyone! 

Microneedling with PRP is a great treatment for people of all ages, skin colors, and textures. As long as you are in good health and have skin aging concerns, PRP microneedling is for you. 

There are a few people with blood disorders, such as platelet dysfunction or blood cancers, who should not get PRP microneedling. If you are not sure if you are healthy enough for PRP microneedling, ask your doctor. 

Is PRP Microneedling Painful?

PRP microneedling is not painful, but there is some mild discomfort involved. The blood draw is a small pinch, like at the doctor’s office. 

The microneedling does not penetrate the skin fully but can have some mild discomfort associated with it. Users describe the sensation as similar to the rough tongue of a cat. It is less painful than getting a tattoo or eyebrow threading. If you are worried about discomfort, ask your esthetician about topical numbing solutions. 

How Long Does PRP Microneedling Last?

The effects of microneedling last anywhere from three to five months, depending on skin type and desired results. Estheticians often give the remainder of the golden PRP serum to clients to apply at home. 

What Are the Side Effects of Microneedling With PRP?

The side effects of microneedling with PRP are generally mild, and most clients drive themselves home after the procedure. 

Side effects include redness, swelling, bruising, and temporary discomfort. These symptoms subside within the week, rarely lasting more than a few days. It is possible, but unlikely, to get a skin infection from microneedling if your esthetician was negligent in hygiene. 

At Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics, we emphasize the importance of clinical cleanliness and keeping a sterile environment. 

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics is the premier aesthetics school in Portland, OR. At Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics, you can become trained in PRP microneedling as well as phlebotomy! 

That's right — to ensure our students’ future success, all PRP microneedling students must train as phlebotomists. This includes 40 hours of in-person training as well as 12 successful blood draws. Spectrum will even pay for you to take the Phlebotomy Licensure Exam! 

Are you ready to enter the lucrative world of esthetics? Check out our website to learn more!