PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy is an advanced regenerative treatment that uses your body's own healing properties to address various cosmetic and medical concerns. By concentrating platelets from your blood and reinjecting them into target areas, this procedure stimulates collagen production, accelerates healing, and rejuvenates tissues naturally.
What is PRP Therapy?
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy is a regenerative treatment that harnesses your body’s natural healing abilities to rejuvenate tissues and stimulate cellular renewal. The procedure begins with a small blood sample, similar to a routine blood test. This sample is then processed in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets, which contain growth factors and bioactive proteins essential for tissue repair and regeneration. The resulting platelet-rich plasma contains 5-10 times the normal concentration of platelets and growth factors. When injected into specific areas, this concentrated solution activates your body’s own stem cells, stimulates collagen production, and accelerates healing processes. PRP therapy is versatile and can address multiple cosmetic concerns including facial rejuvenation, hair restoration, scar improvement, and skin texture enhancement.
The PRP Procedure
A PRP treatment session typically takes about 45-60 minutes. The procedure begins with a small blood draw, usually from your arm, similar to a routine blood test. The collected blood is then placed in a specialized centrifuge that spins at precise speeds to separate the different blood components, isolating the platelet-rich plasma. While your blood is being processed (approximately 10-15 minutes), the treatment area is cleansed and, if needed, a topical numbing cream may be applied for your comfort. Once prepared, the concentrated PRP is carefully injected into the target areas using very fine needles or applied topically following micro-needling, depending on your specific treatment goals. For facial rejuvenation, injections are placed strategically to address wrinkles, volume loss, or texture concerns. For hair restoration, multiple small injections are administered across the scalp in thinning areas. The procedure is minimally invasive with little to no downtime, allowing most patients to return to their regular activities immediately.
Results and Applications
PRP therapy produces gradual, natural-looking improvements that develop over time as your body’s regenerative processes are activated. Most patients begin to notice changes within 3-4 weeks after treatment, with results continuing to improve for up to 3-6 months. For optimal outcomes, a series of 2-3 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart is typically recommended, followed by maintenance sessions as needed. PRP has numerous applications in cosmetic medicine, including: Facial rejuvenation (often called the ‘Vampire Facial’ when combined with microneedling) to improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and enhance overall skin quality; Hair restoration to stimulate dormant hair follicles and improve hair thickness and growth; Scar improvement to remodel scar tissue and improve appearance; Under-eye rejuvenation to address hollowing and thin skin in the tear trough area; Neck and décolletage rejuvenation to improve crepey skin texture. Because PRP uses your own blood components, there is minimal risk of allergic reaction or rejection, making it a safe option for most patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
PRP therapy involves minimal discomfort for most patients. The procedure begins with a blood draw, similar to a routine blood test, which typically causes only mild, momentary discomfort. For the treatment itself, we apply a topical numbing cream to the target area 20-30 minutes before the procedure to minimize sensation. During the injections, you may feel slight pressure or a mild pinching sensation. For facial treatments combined with microneedling, patients generally report feeling a vibrating sensation with minimal pain due to the numbing cream. Hair restoration PRP treatments involve multiple small injections across the scalp, which most patients tolerate very well. Any discomfort during the procedure is temporary and typically subsides immediately afterward. Most patients find the minimal discomfort well worth the regenerative benefits and natural results that PRP therapy provides. If you’re concerned about pain, please discuss this with us during your consultation so we can ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
The number of PRP sessions required depends on your specific concerns, treatment area, and individual response to therapy. For most applications, we typically recommend an initial series of 3 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart to achieve optimal results. For facial rejuvenation, this initial series is often sufficient, with maintenance treatments recommended every 6-12 months to sustain and enhance the improvements. Hair restoration with PRP typically requires a more intensive approach, with 3-4 initial treatments followed by quarterly maintenance sessions in the first year, then biannual sessions thereafter for continued results. Scar improvement may require 3-5 sessions depending on the scar’s age, type, and size. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your specific concerns and develop a customized treatment plan, adjusting the number and frequency of sessions based on your progress and response to the therapy. Many patients see cumulative improvements with each session as the regenerative processes are repeatedly stimulated and enhanced.
PRP therapy produces results that typically last 12-18 months, though this varies depending on the treatment area, your age, overall health, and lifestyle factors. The regenerative effects of PRP work by stimulating your body’s natural processes, with results developing gradually and lasting longer than many other non-surgical treatments. For facial rejuvenation, most patients enjoy improvements for 12-18 months before considering maintenance treatments. Hair restoration results may be more variable, with some patients maintaining improvements for 12-24 months with proper maintenance sessions. Factors that can extend your results include following a good skincare regimen, protecting your skin from sun damage, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, staying well-hydrated, avoiding smoking, and minimizing alcohol consumption. Regular maintenance treatments scheduled before the full effect diminishes can help sustain and build upon your initial results. Many patients incorporate annual or biannual PRP sessions into their regular aesthetic maintenance routine for continued benefits.
One of the major advantages of PRP therapy is the minimal downtime involved. Most patients are able to return to their normal daily activities immediately after treatment. For facial PRP treatments, you may experience mild redness, similar to a light sunburn, for 24-48 hours. Some swelling or bruising at injection sites is possible but typically resolves within 1-3 days. If your treatment is combined with microneedling, the recovery period may include 2-3 days of more noticeable redness and possible micro-crusting as your skin heals. For scalp PRP treatments addressing hair loss, there is essentially no visible downtime, though the scalp may feel tender for 1-2 days. We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise, excessive heat (saunas, hot showers), and direct sun exposure for 24-48 hours after treatment. Makeup should be avoided for 24 hours after facial treatments to allow injection sites to heal properly. Most patients find they can schedule PRP therapy without significant disruption to their work or social calendar.
PRP therapy has an excellent safety profile since it uses your body’s own blood components, eliminating risks of allergic reactions or transmissible diseases associated with donor tissues. The autologous nature of PRP (meaning it comes from your own body) makes it a very safe option for most patients. The procedure is performed under sterile conditions with FDA-cleared devices specifically designed for producing PRP for medical use. Potential side effects are generally mild and temporary, including injection site reactions such as redness, swelling, or bruising that typically resolve within a few days. While rare, risks may include infection, injury to blood vessels or nerves, or tissue damage at injection sites. These complications are extremely uncommon in the hands of qualified medical professionals. PRP is contraindicated for patients with certain blood disorders, platelet dysfunction syndromes, critical thrombocytopenia, hemodynamic instability, sepsis, or acute and chronic infections. During your consultation, we’ll review your medical history thoroughly to ensure PRP therapy is a safe option for you.
Key Benefits
Utilizes your body's own natural healing mechanisms.
Minimal risk of allergic reactions or complications since it uses your own blood.
Stimulates collagen production for improved skin texture and elasticity.
Versatile applications for facial rejuvenation, hair restoration, and more.
Natural-looking results that develop gradually.
Minimal downtime compared to more invasive procedures.
Can be combined with other treatments for enhanced results.
Potential preventative benefits against future signs of aging.
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Ready to take the next step? Schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Shikha Bansal today.