PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

What is platelet-rich plasma?

Blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood, while platelets are cell fragments that play an important role in clotting and healing.

PRP is created by processing a sample of your blood to separate its components and concentrate the platelets within the plasma. The finished product is platelet-rich plasma — not blood serum — and is prepared specifically for use during your treatment.

How is PRP prepared?

A small amount of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm and placed into a specialized collection tube. The tube is then spun in a centrifuge, which separates the blood components according to their density.

The platelet-rich portion is collected and prepared for use during your aesthetic procedure. Preparation methods and platelet concentrations can vary, which is one reason responses to PRP are not identical among patients.

How does PRP support skin renewal?

Platelets contain growth factors and other proteins involved in healing and tissue repair. These substances may support cellular activity and collagen production when platelet-rich plasma is introduced into a treatment area.

PRP is commonly paired with procedures that create a controlled healing response within the skin. The procedure stimulates renewal, while PRP may provide additional biological signals that support the recovery and remodeling process.

Research into cosmetic PRP continues and there is not yet one standardized method of preparation or treatment. Some patients notice meaningful improvement, while others experience more subtle changes or no clear additional benefit.

What concerns may benefit from PRP?

When combined with an appropriate aesthetic procedure, PRP may help support improvement in the appearance of:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Facial acne scars
• Rough or uneven skin texture
• Enlarged-looking pores
• Mild skin laxity
• Dull or aging-looking skin
• Selected surgical or traumatic scars
• Visible sun damage
• Uneven-looking skin tone
• Overall skin quality and radiance

The degree of improvement depends primarily on the procedure being performed, the concern being treated, the treatment intensity, your skin and your natural healing response.

PRP cannot produce the lifting of surgery, replace lost facial volume like a dermal filler or guarantee correction of deep scars, significant wrinkles or advanced skin laxity.

What treatments can be combined with PRP?

The Dermatology Clinic may offer PRP as an enhancement with selected procedures, including:

• MicroPen EVO microneedling
• Morpheus8
• Opus Plasma
• CO2RE CO2 laser resurfacing
• Vivace RF microneedling

Each treatment works differently and has its own indications, preparation requirements, recovery period and risks. PRP does not make every procedure appropriate for every patient.

The FDA has not cleared microneedling devices specifically for use with PRP or another topical product. This means the FDA has not reviewed the safety or effectiveness of the combined use as part of the microneedling device’s clearance. Your provider should explain the proposed combination, potential benefits, alternatives and risks during your consultation.

What happens during treatment?

Your appointment begins with an evaluation of your skin, medical history, medications, current products and treatment goals. The treatment area is cleansed and any preparation required for the primary procedure is completed.

A small blood sample is drawn and processed in a centrifuge while your skin is being prepared. Once the platelet-rich plasma is ready, your provider performs the selected microneedling, radiofrequency, laser or resurfacing treatment.

The prepared PRP is then applied to the treated skin according to the clinic’s protocol. Temporary channels or controlled injuries created by the primary procedure may allow the PRP to remain in closer contact with the treated tissue.

The appointment length depends on the procedure, the size of the treatment area and the time needed to prepare the PRP.

Is PRP treatment uncomfortable?

The blood draw may feel like a brief pinch or sting. Discomfort during the remainder of the appointment is usually related to the primary procedure rather than the PRP itself.

Depending on the treatment, you may experience:

• Pressure
• Prickling
• Scratching
• Heat
• Stinging
• Vibration
• Tenderness

Topical numbing medication or another comfort measure may be used when appropriate. Tell your provider about allergies or previous reactions to local or topical anesthetics before treatment.

When will I see results?

PRP does not create an immediate facelift or dramatic overnight change. Temporary swelling may initially make the skin appear slightly firmer or fuller, but this early effect is not the final result.

Once the initial redness and swelling resolve, the skin may appear smoother or more refreshed. Additional improvement may develop gradually over the following weeks and months as the skin heals and produces new collagen.

The timing of results depends on:

• The primary procedure
• The condition being treated
• The treatment intensity
• The number of sessions completed
• Your age and skin quality
• Your natural healing response
• Your skin-care and sun-protection habits

Some patients experience improvement after one appointment, while others require a series. PRP cannot be guaranteed to produce an additional visible benefit beyond the primary treatment.

How many treatments will I need?

The recommended schedule is usually determined by the procedure being enhanced. Microneedling and other skin-renewal treatments are often performed as a series, with enough time between appointments for healing and collagen remodeling.

Your provider will recommend the number and spacing of treatments based on your concerns, the technology being used, your response and your desired outcome.

Maintenance procedures may be recommended because aesthetic improvements can gradually change with aging, sun exposure and environmental damage.

Is there any downtime?

Downtime is determined mainly by the microneedling, radiofrequency, laser or resurfacing procedure performed with PRP. A lighter treatment may cause only brief redness, while deeper resurfacing can require a more involved recovery.

Temporary effects may include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Warmth
• Tenderness
• Tightness
• Pinpoint bleeding
• Bruising
• Dryness or flaking
• A rough or sandpaper-like texture
• Temporary darkening or lightening of the skin

The current clinic page notes that some patients may look as though they have a moderate to severe sunburn for approximately two days. Recovery can be shorter or longer depending on the primary procedure and treatment intensity.

How should I prepare for treatment?

Preparation instructions depend on the procedure being performed. Before your appointment:

• Tell your provider about all medications and supplements you take
• Discuss blood thinners and products that increase bleeding or bruising
• Report any blood, platelet, bleeding or clotting disorder
• Tell your provider if you have anemia
• Report a weakened immune system or condition that affects healing
• Tell your provider about allergies to numbing medication or skin-care products
• Report a history of cold sores or fever blisters
• Discuss recent fillers, injectables, lasers, peels or resurfacing treatments
• Avoid tanning and excessive sun exposure
• Report any active rash, infection, open wound, sunburn or significant irritation
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup when possible

Do not stop aspirin, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory medications or another prescribed treatment unless the healthcare professional who prescribed it tells you to do so.

Certain blood conditions and blood-thinning medications can affect candidacy for PRP or the primary procedure

How should I care for my skin afterward?

Follow the instructions provided for the primary procedure. Freshly treated skin may be more sensitive to sunlight, heat, cosmetics and active ingredients.

You may be advised to:

• Leave the applied PRP on the skin for the recommended period
• Cleanse the area gently
• Use only approved moisturizers or healing products
• Avoid rubbing, scratching or picking the skin
• Avoid makeup until your provider says it can be resumed
• Avoid retinoids, exfoliating acids, scrubs and irritating products
• Avoid strenuous exercise and excessive sweating temporarily
• Avoid hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms and very hot showers
• Limit direct sun exposure
• Apply an approved broad-spectrum sunscreen
• Allow dryness, crusting or flaking to resolve naturally

Products that were comfortable before treatment may temporarily sting when applied to freshly treated skin. Contact the clinic before using an unapproved product during recovery.

What are the possible risks?

Because PRP comes from your own blood, it does not carry the same risk of rejection associated with donor material. However, PRP preparation, the blood draw and the primary procedure still involve potential risks.

Possible effects include:

• Pain or tenderness
• Bleeding or bruising
• Swelling
• Irritation
• Infection
• Contamination during blood processing
• Temporary discoloration
• An unsatisfactory or limited result

Additional risks depend on the procedure performed. Microneedling, radiofrequency treatment and laser resurfacing may cause prolonged redness, pigment changes, burns, scarring, cold-sore reactivation, infection or changes in skin texture.

Sterile blood handling, single-use supplies, careful device cleaning, appropriate treatment settings and proper aftercare are essential.

What symptoms should be reported?

Contact the clinic if you develop:

• Increasing rather than improving pain
• Significant or worsening swelling
• Blistering
• Pus or drainage
• Spreading redness or warmth
• Fever
• An open sore
• Pale, gray, blue or unusually dark skin
• Persistent bleeding
• Hives or symptoms of an allergic reaction
• Another unexpected or worsening reaction

Some redness, tenderness and swelling may be expected, but symptoms that become progressively more severe should be evaluated.

Who is a good candidate for PRP?

PRP may be considered for adults who are already appropriate candidates for the selected microneedling, radiofrequency, laser or resurfacing procedure and want to add an autologous treatment enhancement.

Good candidates generally:

• Have healthy, intact skin in the treatment area
• Are in good overall health
• Have realistic expectations
• Understand that research and results vary
• Can safely undergo a blood draw
• Can follow preparation and aftercare instructions
• Understand that the primary procedure produces most of the visible effect

PRP should not be presented as appropriate for almost everyone. Candidacy depends on both the patient’s health and the procedure being combined with it.

Who may need to postpone treatment?

PRP or the accompanying procedure may need to be postponed or avoided if you:

• Have an active infection, rash or open wound
• Have an active cold sore
• Have a blood, platelet, bleeding or clotting disorder
• Have severe anemia or a significantly abnormal platelet count
• Take medication that substantially increases bleeding risk
• Have a weakened immune system
• Have a condition that interferes with normal healing
• Are experiencing an active inflammatory skin flare
• Recently underwent another procedure that has not healed
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have recently used isotretinoin
• Have a history of abnormal or raised scarring

The exact restrictions vary according to the primary procedure. Provide a complete health and medication history so your provider can determine whether treatment can be performed safely.

Can PRP be used on different skin tones?

PRP itself does not target melanin with laser or light energy. However, the primary procedure may still carry a risk of inflammation, burns or temporary and lasting pigment changes.

Treatment settings and recovery instructions should be customized according to your natural skin tone, history of post-inflammatory discoloration and the technology being used. PRP should not be assumed to eliminate the pigmentation risks associated with microneedling, radiofrequency or laser resurfacing.

What makes PRP different?

PRP is prepared from your own blood rather than manufactured as a dermal filler, medication or cosmetic serum. Its role is to complement the healing response created by another procedure.

It does not add structural volume like a filler, relax facial muscles like botulinum toxin or resurface the skin on its own. The overall result depends on the underlying treatment and how your skin responds during the healing process.

Schedule a PRP consultation

Platelet-rich plasma may provide an additional way to support skin renewal when combined with selected microneedling, radiofrequency, laser or resurfacing procedures. The Dermatology Clinic can evaluate your skin, medical history and aesthetic goals; explain the expected benefits and limitations of PRP; and determine whether it is an appropriate enhancement for your personalized treatment plan. Contact us today to get scheduled.