What is a PRP treatment?
Under the PRP treatment is a relatively new form of wrinkle treatment that is also known as „Autologous blood treatment“ or „vampire lifting“ is known. PRP comes from the English and means „platelet rich plasma“. This refers to blood plasma that is prepared in such a way that it is rich in platelets, coagulation factors, various messenger substances and growth hormones. Platelets are important components in wound healing and in turn activate numerous growth-stimulating messenger substances. Due to these wound healing-promoting and regenerative effects, PRP therapy was initially used in particular for the treatment of poorly healing, sometimes chronic wounds, and was later discovered by orthopaedics in particular and used in the treatment of bone fractures, joint complaints, muscle fibre tears or tendon inflammation or tears. In recent years, autologous blood treatment has also become established in aesthetic and cosmetic medicine and is suitable for the treatment of wrinkles and signs of skin ageing due to its tissue-regenerating, rejuvenating and firming effect.
How is PRP produced?
As the name „autologous blood therapy“ suggests, the platelet-rich plasma is not donated by another person, but is taken from a vein by the person to be treated, specially prepared and injected locally. It is therefore a type of autotransfusion. Correct preparation is crucial for this to work. Dr Matiasek prepares the blood so that it cannot clot and centrifuges it in a first step so that the blood plasma and blood serum are separated. Plasma is the cell-free, liquid part of the blood, which does not actually contain any platelets, white or red blood cells, but only consists of water and various transport proteins, electrolytes, hormones and coagulation factors. Through further centrifugation steps, the proportion of platelets can be increased so that only the plasma with the highly concentrated platelets remains. A few millilitres of a highly concentrated, platelet-rich solution then remain, which Dr Matiasek can then inject through a thin needle into the area to be treated.
What problems can be treated with PRP?
PRP treatment offers a wide range of applications for treating various problems and illnesses. These include the reduction of wrinkles, stretch marks and scars, the treatment of hair loss and the alleviation of musculoskeletal complaints such as osteoarthritis, arthritis and muscle or tendon injuries. PRP therapy can also be used to accelerate the healing process of chronic wounds and improve skin structure by stimulating the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. PRP therapy is also used in dentistry, ophthalmology, oral surgery and other areas to promote cell regeneration and accelerate the healing process.
Who is suitable for PRP treatment?
PRP treatments are suitable for people who want to reduce small wrinkles or stretch marks gently and without surgery. It is important to have realistic expectations, as the treatment cannot work miracles, but can achieve long-term results. People who regularly take blood-thinning medication or suffer from haemophilia are generally not suitable. Acute skin infections or inflammation are also a temporary contraindication.
The vampire lift can combat skin ageing and improve the appearance of the skin, as only the body's own substances are used. PRP treatment is suitable for skin rejuvenation in almost all areas of the body, especially the face. The treatment is not suitable for deep wrinkles, certain diseases such as cancer or autoimmune diseases, or certain medications.
Whether PRP treatment is suitable for you will be clarified individually in a consultation with Dr Matiasek.
How does PRP treatment work?
PRP treatment relies on the natural effectiveness of numerous substances contained in blood plasma and blood platelets, which circulate constantly in the blood but, thanks to this method, can be used in a very targeted and highly concentrated manner on one part of the body, thus showing their particularly intensive positive effect here. The PRP treatment is comparable to a Hyaluronic acid- or Collagen-The PRP treatment focusses less on the filling injection effect and more on the mode of action of the injected substances themselves. This can be used to tighten smaller skin wrinkles on the face or décolleté as well as stretch marks on the thighs, arms or stomach.
How does PRP work in the body?
PRP therapy utilises the ingredients of our blood plasma which, in combination with the highly concentrated blood platelets, represents a cocktail of active ingredients that can have numerous positive effects on the body. In addition to the platelets, which are essential for wound healing and haemostasis, the plasma contains numerous cell-stimulating messenger substances, electrolytes and growth factors necessary for cell function. These growth factors stimulate the skin's own regeneration by stimulating fibroblasts, stimulating cell proliferation, angioneogenesis (formation of new blood vessels and thus improved oxygen supply) and elastin and collagen production, which leads to a visible improvement in the skin structure.
This regenerative effect not only has a positive effect on the appearance of the skin in aesthetic medicine, but is also used in the treatment of scars, chronic, poorly healing wounds or injuries to muscles, ligaments or tendons.
What should be considered before a PRP treatment?
Before the PRP treatment, Dr Matiasek will inform you in detail about the process and clarify possible risks and side effects. You will give your consent for blood collection and preparation. Contraindications are also discussed and recommendations for post-treatment are given. One week before the treatment, it is recommended that you do not take any medication that inhibits platelet function, such as NSAIDs. It is important to inform Dr Matiasek of any medications you are taking, as some of them must be discontinued three days before treatment. You should appear for treatment without make-up so as not to distort the results. During a hair loss treatment, it is advisable to wash your hair and avoid using styling products.
Dr Matiasek and his team will be happy to answer any further questions you may have about autologous blood therapy and its procedure.
What is the procedure for PRP treatment?
One PRP treatment always consists of two steps, namely the blood collection and the autotransfusion. The first step is blood collection, during which Dr Matiasek takes the required blood, around 10 to 100 millilitres. The blood is then processed in a special centrifuge to separate the plasma from the rest of the blood. During this time, nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins and hyaluronic acid are added to the processed plasma to enrich it.
As soon as the plasma has been prepared, Dr Matiasek begins the autotransfusion. He uses a fine needle to inject the enriched plasma under the skin in the selected area of the body. Depending on the size of the area to be treated, several pricks may be required to distribute the plasma evenly.
The same steps are carried out for PRP treatment of the scalp, whereby the treated autologous blood is injected directly under the scalp. This allows the growth factors it contains to have a regenerative effect on the hair follicles and promote hair growth. It is important to note that this treatment will not grow new hair where there is none. However, in such cases, Dr Matiasek can offer advice on Hair transplantation and hair thickening offer.
How painful is a PRP treatment?
PRP treatment is considered to be less painful, as the rather fluid plasma can be easily injected into the tissue using a thin needle. For patients who are very sensitive to pain, Dr Matiasek can also apply an anaesthetic cream before the treatment if necessary, which makes the skin superficially insensitive to pain and makes the treatment even more pleasant.
What should I look out for during the aftercare of a PRP treatment?
PRP treatment is performed on an outpatient basis, so you are free to go home immediately after the procedure. However, Dr Matiasek recommends that you take it easy for the rest of the day. Even at home, the treated area should continue to be gently cooled - however, it is important to ensure that the right amount is applied so as not to provoke hypothermia and tissue damage.
Hot baths, saunas, strong sunlight or sporting activities should be avoided in the first two to three days after the treatment in order to allow the small puncture wounds to heal optimally. It is also important to keep the skin as clean as possible, which is why the application of peelings or acidic creams should be avoided. It is better to cleanse with clear, cool water and only dry gently with a clean towel. When treating the face, make-up should not be applied for the first three days.
When will the first results be visible?
Immediately after the treatment, the skin is taut due to the liquid applied, may be slightly reddened and feel tight. This effect subsides after a few hours, allowing the actual effect to unfold. The first positive effects can be observed after a few days, and the full effect of the PRP treatment can be seen around four weeks after the treatment has been completed. However, in order to utilise the full potential of the PRP technique, several treatment sessions are usually required (3-4 are generally recommended).
How long do the results of PRP treatment last?
If three to four treatment sessions are carried out in accordance with the recommendations, an effectiveness of up to 18 months can be achieved - the skin appears younger and firmer, the overall appearance of the skin is more vital and cleaner without much effort or complicated procedures. Nevertheless, the skin tissue is still subject to natural ageing processes, which slowly weaken the effects of PRP treatment, which is why a refresher treatment is recommended approximately once a year.
What are the possible risks of PRP treatment?
PRP treatment is harmless and low-risk if carried out correctly and professionally. Rarely, small haemorrhages or reddening of the treated area may occur after the treatment; more common are minor swellings, which disappear by themselves after cooling.
What are the advantages of PRP treatment?
Enriched, processed plasma, which is taken a few minutes before the injection, is a substance produced naturally in the body, so there is no need to worry about allergies or intolerances. PRP treatment is characterised by its quick and uncomplicated implementation, without the need for complex preparations or time-consuming aftercare.
Particularly in the case of cosmetic procedures, the question often arises as to when you can „go out among people again“ without any visible traces of the treatment. Due to the minimal amount of material applied, there is little to no swelling and redness in the treated areas. As a result, the patient is usually able to socialise after just one day.
Another advantage of minimally invasive PRP treatment is the short downtime. Recovery is quick, so if the job is not overly physically demanding, no extended sick leave is required and a return to normal work is possible the very next day. As it is a minimally invasive procedure, neither major surgery nor a general anaesthetic is required. For this reason, Dr Matiasek offers PRP treatment as a gentle and effective therapy method.
What alternatives are there to PRP treatment?
The alternatives include all common methods of face lifting, ranging from purely superficial treatments in the form of creams with various active ingredients to minimally invasive lifting methods and surgical procedures.
Numerous minimally invasive techniques have been established in recent decades, in particular, which go beyond lifting using fillers (liquid lift, for example, with Hyaluronic acid or collagen) up to Thread lifts or microneedling. To optimise the success of the PRP treatment, Dr Matiasek recommends combining it with microneedling in the same session. Another ideal addition is the facial treatment using Morpheus 8, radiofrequency needling represent. Treatment using Botox injections is a popular and established alternative. Which treatment option is best for you individually depends primarily on the region, the extent of the skin changes, your financial resources and, above all, your personal wishes and expectations - Dr Matiasek will be happy to support you in your decision-making process.
How much does a PRP treatment cost?
The cost of autohaemotherapy varies depending on the size of the areas of the body to be treated and the number of individual sessions carried out.
Dr Matiasek also offers autologous blood therapy in combination with other aesthetic treatments, such as microneedling, hyaluronic acid injections or thread lifting. For detailed information, Dr Matiasek is available for a consultation at his practice in Vienna and Schladming.
Will the health insurance companies cover the costs?
PRP treatments can be covered by health insurance for scar treatments. Lecturer Dr Matiasek will be happy to inform you about this.







