In recent years, one branch of regenerative medicine has drawn growing attention for its ability to support the body’s own healing process: PRP, or Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy. From athletes dealing with overuse injuries to people exploring hair restoration or relief from joint pain, PRP has been used in many areas of care. But what exactly is PRP? How does it work? And is it the right approach for you?
Let’s break it down.
Understanding Platelet-Rich Plasma
PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. To understand what that means, it helps to first understand the basics of your blood.
Your blood is made up of several parts: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion—mostly water and proteins—that allows blood cells to move through your body. Platelets are the tiny blood cells that help with clotting, but they do more than stop bleeding. They also carry growth factors—compounds that trigger the body’s healing processes.
PRP is created by drawing a small sample of your blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets within the plasma. This creates a fluid with a much higher number of platelets than what’s typically found in blood—usually five to ten times more.
Once prepared, this platelet-rich mixture is injected into an area of the body that’s injured or inflamed, such as a joint, a tendon, or even the scalp. The goal is to use your body’s natural growth factors to promote tissue repair and regeneration.
What Happens During a PRP Procedure?
The process of receiving a PRP injection is fairly straightforward and happens in three steps:
- Blood Draw – A small amount of your blood is collected, just like in a standard lab test.
- Centrifugation – The blood sample is placed in a centrifuge. This spinning process separates the components of the blood and concentrates the platelets in the plasma.
- Injection – The PRP is injected into the affected area. Ultrasound guidance may be used to ensure precise placement, especially in joint or tendon treatments.
In some cases, local anesthesia is applied to minimize discomfort. The entire process typically takes about an hour from start to finish.
What Is PRP Used For?
One of the reasons PRP therapy is growing in popularity is because of its versatility. It’s used across several areas of medicine, including orthopedics, dermatology, aesthetics, and sports medicine.
Here are some of the most common uses:
1. Musculoskeletal Injuries
PRP is often used to support healing from injuries involving tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints. For example, it may help with:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Achilles tendonitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Muscle strains
These types of injuries can be slow to heal, and PRP is sometimes used to speed up recovery or improve tissue repair.
2. Osteoarthritis
Early studies suggest that PRP injections may relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis, especially in the knees. The therapy may help reduce inflammation inside the joint and improve joint lubrication by stimulating natural tissue repair.
Some researchers have even found PRP to be more effective than hyaluronic acid (gel shots) when it comes to long-term relief. Combining PRP with other therapies may also yield better results.
3. Post-Surgical Recovery
Initially, PRP was used to aid in healing after jaw and plastic surgery. Now it’s also used following orthopedic surgeries to promote faster recovery in soft tissue procedures, like tendon repairs or ligament reconstructions.
4. Hair Restoration
PRP is also used to help treat male and female pattern hair loss. When injected into the scalp, it may stimulate dormant hair follicles and improve blood flow, leading to new hair growth over several months.
5. Skin Rejuvenation
In the world of aesthetics, PRP is sometimes referred to as the “vampire facial.” Used with microneedling, it can improve skin tone, texture, and tightness by encouraging new collagen formation.
How PRP Works: The Healing Response
The secret behind PRP’s benefits lies in the growth factors released by platelets. These compounds play a key role in healing. Once injected, the high concentration of platelets signals the body to send repair cells to the site, triggering a chain reaction:
- Short-term inflammation helps start the healing process.
- Collagen production increases—this is especially helpful in tendons, skin, and ligaments.
- Cellular turnover improves, bringing in new, healthier cells.
- Inflammation decreases over time, relieving pain and promoting healing.
This natural healing process isn’t instant, but many people begin to notice changes within a few weeks, with continued improvement over the next few months.
What to Expect After PRP Treatment
Recovery after PRP treatment is usually mild. You may feel soreness, swelling, or slight bruising at the injection site for a day or two. These symptoms are normal and actually part of the healing response the treatment aims to trigger.
In most cases, you won’t need downtime, and you can return to regular activity soon after. However, your provider may advise avoiding strenuous exercise for a short period.
How long do the results last?
Results vary depending on what’s being treated. For joint pain or soft tissue injuries, you may notice improvement for six to twelve months, sometimes longer. For hair restoration, most people need maintenance treatments every few months to sustain results.
Are There Any Side Effects or Risks?
Because PRP is made from your own blood, it carries very few risks. There’s no risk of allergic reaction, and side effects are rare. However, as with any injection, there is a small chance of:
- Mild pain or swelling at the injection site
- Infection (very rare)
- Bleeding or bruising
- Nerve irritation
For the vast majority of people, PRP injections are well tolerated and low risk.
That said, PRP isn’t recommended for everyone. If you have certain blood disorders, active infections, or take blood thinners, your provider may advise against it.
Why PRP?
The appeal of PRP lies in its simplicity: it uses your body’s natural tools to support healing. There are no drugs involved, no synthetic chemicals, and no donor materials. Whether you’re dealing with stubborn joint pain, recovering from an injury, or looking into cosmetic treatments, PRP offers a promising option rooted in biology.
Considering PRP Therapy?
PRP therapy is continuing to grow in popularity thanks to its ability to use the body’s own healing process—without medication or surgery. Whether you’re looking for relief from joint pain, support with soft tissue healing, or an approach to hair thinning, PRP may be worth discussing with a specialist.
If you have questions or want to learn more about regenerative therapies, the team at Revive Life can help guide you in the right direction.
