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.Â
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.Â
Platelet-rich plasma injections are believed to have a host of benefits. They're used to:Â
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.
Pros
Cons
The price you pay will depend on your provider’s location, their credentials, and the extent of your treatment plan.Â
PRP injections are elective procedures, so healthcare insurance plans won’t cover the cost.
Most providers offer monthly payment plants or accept third-party financing options like CareCredit, to help make treatments like this more affordable.
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.
The PRP injection photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
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.Â
“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.Â
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.
Here’s what you can do before and after your treatment, to help minimize side effects and maximize the benefits.
Studies have found that the benefits of PRP injections usually last for 6 to 9 months.Â
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.
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.Â
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.
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.Â
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.
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.
Updated September 12, 2023