PRP Injections: What You Need to Know

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.

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).

• Average Cost:
• $1,000

• Range:
• $400 - $2,000

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 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.

• 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."

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. 

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.