What is PRP Therapy?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is a regenerative aesthetic treatment that uses a concentration of the patient’s own platelets to stimulate healing and rejuvenation. A small amount of blood is drawn, processed to extract the platelet-rich portion, and then injected or applied to the skin.
Although PRP is considered safe and natural, since it uses the patient’s own blood, it still involves skin injury, especially when combined with microneedling or injections, to allow the plasma to penetrate and activate tissue repair.
Conditions Treated:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne scars
- Dull or uneven skin tone
- Hair loss (especially androgenic alopecia)
- Under-eye dark circles and volume loss
- Skin laxity or signs of aging
Types of PRP Application:
- Injectable PRP: PRP is injected directly into targeted areas (e.g., face, scalp).
- PRP with Microneedling: PRP is applied topically after microneedling to enhance absorption and healing.
- PRP for Hair Restoration: Injected into the scalp to stimulate hair follicles and promote growth.
How the Wound Happens:
PRP therapy causes minor wounds intentionally, either through microneedling or injections. These small punctures are essential to trigger the body’s natural healing response, which PRP then enhances.
However, complications may occur due to:
- Improper technique
- Unsterile equipment
- Patient skin sensitivity
- Reactions to the needling or injection process
This may result in:
- Redness and swelling
- Bruising or pinpoint bleeding
- Localized skin irritation or inflammation
- Small injection site wounds
What Happens If Not Treated:
If the small wounds from PRP therapy are not cared for properly:
- Infections may develop at injection or microneedling sites
- Skin irritation could worsen, leading to prolonged redness or bumps
- Hyperpigmentation or post-inflammatory discoloration may appear
- Scarring is rare but possible with improper aftercare or aggressive needling
