Q: What are the pros and cons of PRP injections?

Pros Platelet-rich plasma treatment can regenerate tissues, rejuvenate skin, and stimulate new hair growth. Topical applications of PRP can also enhance the results of other cosmetic treatments. The plasma comes from your own body, so there’s little to no risk of an allergic reaction. Downtime is minimal and side effects are typically mild, with just a few days of bruising, swelling, and redness at the injection site. Due to its versatility, PRP can be combined with most other skin rejuvenation treatments, to enhance overall results. Cons As with any injection, you may have some soreness and inflammation at the injection site for a few hours after your PRP treatment. Results aren't permanent; you'll need maintenance treatments to continue seeing the benefits. The frequency of repeat treatments varies, but it’s commonly done twice a year, which can get expensive over time. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has questioned whether PRP is an effective treatment for certain concerns. Recent, well-designed clinical trials have shown no benefits of PRP treatment for three common sports injuries when compared to a placebo (more on that below).

Question 1

What is PRP injection therapy?

Accepted Answer

PRP injection therapy has a variety of advantageous medical and cosmetic uses, from helping restore damaged skin and treating musculoskeletal injuries to reducing hair loss and dark circles.

A PRP injection treatment starts with drawing a patient’s own blood and processing it in a centrifuge, so only the enriched cells remain. Called platelet-rich plasma (PRP), this concentration of enriched cells contains proteins called growth factors, which are intimately involved with the stimulation of cell reproduction and repair.

PRP is injected into a targeted area—typically injured or damaged tissue, ligaments, or skin—or applied topically to promote healing and rejuvenation, such as after microneedling or laser skin treatments.

“PRP has become an important part of regenerative aesthetics, which is an exciting and quickly growing area of cosmetic treatments,” says Dr. Vu Ho, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Plano, Texas.

Related: PRP: 10 Terms That Define the Procedure

Question 2

What is PRP treatment good for?

Accepted Answer

Platelet-rich plasma injections are believed to have a host of benefits. They're used to:

Accelerate new skin cell turnover and boost collagen production
Combat hair loss and thinning
Improve sexual health for men and women with treatments called a P-Shot and O-Shot, respectively
Treat under-eye discoloration or dark circles. “PRP for aging under-eyes is one of the more effective treatments for this challenging area,” notes Dr. Ho.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy can also be combined with other cosmetic procedures—like laser resurfacing or fat transfer—to enhance results. It’s often applied topically after microneedling for a Vampire Facial, or injected with hyaluronic acid dermal fillers for a Vampire Facelift.

Question 3

What are the pros and cons of PRP injections?

Accepted Answer

Pros

Platelet-rich plasma treatment can regenerate tissues, rejuvenate skin, and stimulate new hair growth.
Topical applications of PRP can also enhance the results of other cosmetic treatments.
The plasma comes from your own body, so there’s little to no risk of an allergic reaction.
Downtime is minimal and side effects are typically mild, with just a few days of bruising, swelling, and redness at the injection site.
Due to its versatility, PRP can be combined with most other skin rejuvenation treatments, to enhance overall results.

Cons

As with any injection, you may have some soreness and inflammation at the injection site for a few hours after your PRP treatment.
Results aren't permanent; you'll need maintenance treatments to continue seeing the benefits. The frequency of repeat treatments varies, but it’s commonly done twice a year, which can get expensive over time.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has questioned whether PRP is an effective treatment for certain concerns. Recent, well-designed clinical trials have shown no benefits of PRP treatment for three common sports injuries when compared to a placebo (more on that below).

Question 4

How much do PRP injections cost?

Accepted Answer

The price you pay will depend on your provider’s location, their credentials, and the extent of your treatment plan.

PRP injections are elective procedures, so healthcare insurance plans won’t cover the cost.

Most providers offer monthly payment plans or accept third-party financing options to help make treatments like this more affordable.

Question 5

Do PRP injections work?

Accepted Answer

PRP treatments have not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but PRP has long been used in sports medicine and regenerative medicine, as well as orthopedics. Sports injuries are often related to soft tissue (such as rotator cuff) traumas, and many providers believe that PRP can speed the healing process for injuries like torn tendons and sprains.

So far, the scientific evidence on how well PRP injections work is mixed.

In a 2018 study, researchers noted that “PRP injections in the lower-eyelid region are a safe, efficient, virtually pain-free, simple, and rapid treatment option for an area with otherwise limited treatment alternatives.”
PRP therapy may help ease joint pain and discomfort from various forms of tendonitis, like tennis elbow or patellar tendinopathy. However, three reputable clinical trials published in JAMA in 2021 found that PRP treatment doesn’t appear to be an effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis, ankle osteoarthritis, or Achilles tendonitis.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), "Treatment with PRP could hold promise, however, current research studies to back up the claims in the media are lacking. Although PRP does appear to be effective in the treatment of certain chronic tendon injuries and low- to moderate-grade knee osteoarthritis, the medical community needs more scientific evidence before it can determine whether PRP therapy is truly effective in other conditions."

Question 6

PRP injection before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The PRP injection photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Question 7

What happens during a PRP treatment?

Accepted Answer

Plasma contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (or thrombocytes) that contribute to essential growth functions and healing processes, including blood clotting and wound healing. When these platelets are isolated and injected into a treatment area, they stimulate your body’s reparative cell production.

“The human body possesses an amazing ability to heal and repair itself, and now PRP allows us to harness this powerful process to achieve aesthetic outcomes in unique ways,” notes Dr. Ho.

To prepare a PRP injection, the patient’s blood is extracted and run through a centrifuge, which concentrates the platelets. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected directly into the injured area or tissue that’s in need of rejuvenation.

You may experience some bruising, soreness, and swelling at the injection site for several days afterward, but you should be able to resume your normal activities immediately, without needing any recovery time off work.

Question 8

How can you maximize your results?

Accepted Answer

Here’s what you can do before and after your treatment, to help minimize side effects and maximize the benefits.

Drink lots of water on the day of your treatment and stay especially well hydrated during the week after.
Avoid taking a shower for six hours after your injection. A temperature change, either hot or cold, can inhibit the body’s desired response to the PRP.
Don’t put any makeup, lotions, or creams on the injected area for at least six hours.
Avoid vigorous exercise or strenuous activity for three days after PRP injections.
Also avoid direct sun exposure on the treatment area for three days afterward.
Try to avoid drinking alcohol or smoking for at least three days before and after your treatment. Alcohol and nicotine reduce platelet activation, which could diminish your results.
Taking acetaminophen immediately following treatment is fine, but avoid anything that acts as an anti-inflammatory, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Question 9

How long do PRP injections last?

Accepted Answer

Studies have found that the benefits of PRP injections usually last for 6 to 9 months.

The longevity of results will vary from person to person and depend in part on the frequency of injections, the concentration of PRP, and the treatment area.

During your consultation, ask your provider how long they would expect your results to last, given the specifics of your situation.

Question 10

How painful is a PRP injection?

Accepted Answer

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most pain, PRP injections should clock in at 2-3 if your provider applies a topical numbing cream in advance.

The coagulant used to isolate the platelets may cause burning when injected, but numbing creams and a local anesthetic can help, especially in sensitive areas like the genitals.

Question 11

What are the side effects of PRP injections?

Accepted Answer

Your body recognizes its own platelets, so they're unlikely to cause any major adverse reactions. Side effects are minimal and tend to result from the injections themselves.

Some bruising, swelling, and tenderness are normal and expected after PRP treatments, but they should resolve on their own within a few days.

In very rare cases, patients have had nerve injury or tissue damage due to poor injection technique. Worldwide, there have been 7 documented cases of vision loss or impairment due to vascular occlusion (blood vessel blockage) from PRP injections. While this side effect is extremely rare, it's still worth discussing with your provider.

This is a low-risk procedure, but it’s still important to find a qualified, experienced provider with a demonstrated history of safe, effective treatment.

Question 12

How soon will you see PRP therapy results?

Accepted Answer

Most people need 3 PRP injection treatments, spaced about a month apart, for optimal results.

Follow-up treatments are often recommended every 6 months after that to maintain results.

PRP INJECTIONS

Vu Ho, MD

Mari Malcolm

Vu Ho, MD

Mari Malcolm

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Vu Ho, MD

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