Treatment report: PRP therapy

WHAT IS IT? Dubbed Dracula Therapy because it uses your own blood, platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) has been used for some time to help tendonitis, arthritis and inflammation of joints. It is now being used in cosmetic medicine to give anti-ageing benefits, repair scars and reverse sun damage.

WHAT HAPPENS? Blood is taken from the arm and then spun in a centrifuge that separates the platelets from the red blood cells for

10 minutes. The resulting mix is then injected into the skin to stimulate regeneration, promoting new tissue growth, an improvement in skin tone and a radiant glow.

DOES IT HURT? A local anaesthetic cream can be applied to the skin to numb the area.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? Around 45 minutes.

DOWNTIME? You can look slightly red for a few hours and it is important not to wash or clean your face until the following day.

ANY SIDE EFFECTS? As your own blood is used there are very few risks or side effects but there could be bruising at the treatment site.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS? Usually two to three treatments two weeks apart for the best results.

COST? £900 a treatment.

For more details call 020 7935 0986.