Natural Beauty: Shien-lin Pryor Explains PRP

Shien-lin, a dear friend and an incredibly knowledgeable expert in the aesthetics world, continuously inspires me with her insights into natural health and beauty. Her wisdom is so profound that I knew we had to create a dedicated series. As we navigate a world increasingly sensitive to toxicity, many of us seek ways to look and feel our best while staying healthy. This series aims to answer those very questions. I'm thrilled to kick off this new series: "Natural Beauty with Shien-lin Pryor."

Meet Shien-lin Pryor: A Pioneer in Natural Aesthetics

Before we dive into today's fascinating topic, let's get to know Shien-lin. With nearly 26 years of practice, Shien-lin graduated from USC at 26 and holds a Master's in Dermatology. Her journey into holistic, natural, and integrative anti-aging medicine began from a personal place—patients, family members, and even her own children faced various health challenges.

"I've become very attuned to what's happening in the world with all of that," Shien-lin shares, highlighting her passion for regenerative medicine, including stem cells and PRP. Her clinic, Laguna Aesthetics, located in Laguna Beach, California, is a testament to her philosophy. When I visited, I was immediately struck by the warm, heart-centered energy that permeates the space—a vital connection I always seek when considering any treatment.

Unveiling PRP: Your Body's Natural Regenerator

Today, we're exploring PRP treatments (Platelet-Rich Plasma). So, what exactly is it, and why is it trending in the natural beauty sphere?

PRP isn't new; it's been around for a long time. Derived from your own blood, it's packed with growth factors and other components that regenerate tissue and cells. It can be injected almost anywhere to heal injuries, grow hair, and regenerate skin at all levels.

"The biggest problem with aging is your connective tissue like, for example, collagen and elastin," Shien-lin explains. "PRP is a very safe way to basically fertilize any tissue with what you've been given to heal your body, which can actually anti-age your body, including your skin."

Beyond the Face: PRP for Post-Explant Femininity

One particularly compelling application of PRP that Shien-lin revealed to me addresses a deeply personal concern for many women: breast aesthetics after implant removal. Many women who have had breast implants removed due to illness or personal choice often feel a loss of femininity.

"We have clinics that fortunately have heard women ask for what can I do to become feminine again without putting breast implants back into my body," Shien-lin states. This highlights a crucial point: inner beauty and how we feel about ourselves are paramount. Physical treatments can profoundly impact our self-perception and emotional well-being.

Shien-lin shared a dramatic before-and-after photo of a patient who had undergone multiple implant removal surgeries and sought to improve scarring and volume. The image showcased a remarkable transformation after just one treatment, significantly improving skin texture and overall appearance. This powerful visual underscores the regenerative capabilities beyond conventional facial or hair treatments.

The PRP Facial: A Comprehensive Rejuvenation

While PRP is gaining recognition for various applications, its use in facial rejuvenation remains primary. So, what's the process, and what benefits can you expect?

The quality of your platelet rich plasma is crucial and depends on factors like your overall health. The process involves a simple blood draw. However, the choice of equipment and pre-treatment tissue stimulation (like lasers or microneedling) can significantly enhance results by yielding higher levels of elastin and collagen growth.

"We combine a lot of therapies because we find that there's a lot of synergy in all of these therapies to get a better result for patients," Shien-lin emphasizes. This "biohacking" or "stacking" approach can lead to exponential benefits.

For optimal facial rejuvenation, Shien-lin's clinic takes a holistic approach, fertilizing all levels of tissue—from the skeletal structure to the dermis, subcutaneous fat, and even the scalp and neck. This comprehensive treatment aims to regenerate the entire face, resulting in improved pigmentation, volume, texture, and tightening.

Who is a Candidate for PRP and What About PRF?

"Everybody who is looking to anti-age their skin is a candidate," Shien-lin asserts. It's often the first treatment she recommends due to its safety, natural origin, and cost-effectiveness (ranging from $300 to $2500, depending on the area). PRP is remarkably safe; as it's derived from your own blood, allergic reactions are not a concern.

Then there's PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin). Unlike PRP, PRF contains no added anticoagulant and forms a gel that releases growth factors slowly over several days. This makes it ideal for sensitive areas like under the eyes, where it provides structure without fluid retention or lumps.

Hair Restoration with PRP

Another exciting application is for hair growth. Shien-lin's clinic has been using PRP in combination with stem cells, red light therapy, and vitamin injections for hair restoration for over a decade.

"It works better in women; you get about a 30% increase in hair growth," she shares. While it won't resurrect dead hair follicles, it can revive those barely hanging on. It can even help reverse graying! For those who've had hair transplants, PRP can significantly improve the survival rate of transplanted follicles.

The Downsides: Pain, Downtime, and Considerations

So, what about the downsides? How painful is it, and what's the recovery like?

Facial injections can be quick and comfortable, especially with PRF. While PRP can sting, anesthetics are used to ensure comfort. For scalp treatments, topical anesthetics and nerve blocks are applied to minimize discomfort.

As for candidacy, Shien-lin notes that even patients with autoimmune conditions have shown good results. However, severe anemia or specific genetic clotting disorders might be contraindications, which a knowledgeable clinician would discuss.

Supplements, Mindset, and Future Discoveries

Shien-lin champions a holistic approach to beauty, emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including nutrition, sleep, and meditation. "Meditation... you are your own pharmacy," she says, highlighting its profound impact on our physiology and even the "happiness" of cells under a microscope.

Supplements like vegan amino acids, collagen, colostrum, Chinese herbs (chisandra, he shou wu), and a healthy microbiome can further enhance results.

Looking ahead, Shien-lin is excited about the potential for PRP to treat hypothyroidism by injecting it over the thyroid, a common issue for many women. Her clinic also plans to delve into scar healing—from surgical scars to acne marks—in the next episode, demonstrating how addressing physical imperfections can contribute to overall well-being.

Ready to explore your natural beauty journey with Shien-lin? Visit LagunaAesthetics.com or call 949-632-8087.

What other natural beauty topics are you curious about? Let us know in the comments below!