PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

What is PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma)?

PRP therapy uses a concentrated portion of your own blood — rich in platelets and the growth factors they carry — to stimulate your body's natural healing response in a targeted area. Because it comes from your own body, rejection risk is essentially zero. It has been used in sports medicine, orthopedics, dermatology, and aesthetic medicine for over two decades.

How does PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma) work?

Platelets are tiny blood cells packed with growth factors — signaling proteins that tell your body to repair damaged tissue, build new blood vessels, and reduce inflammation. When PRP is injected into an injured joint, thinning scalp, or aging skin, it delivers a high concentration of these signals right where they are needed. This jumpstarts the repair process and can extend or amplify what your body would do naturally on its own, just more slowly.

What forms does PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma) come in?

PRP is always prepared fresh at the time of treatment from a small blood draw (usually 10–60 mL). The blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma layer, which is then either injected directly (joints, scalp, tendons) or applied topically during microneedling (skin). Leukocyte-rich PRP (with white blood cells) and leukocyte-poor PRP (without) are two common preparation variants — the optimal choice depends on the condition being treated. Concentration, activation method (with or without thrombin/calcium chloride), and centrifugation protocol vary by clinic and can meaningfully affect results.

Where it comes from:

PRP was first used in the 1970s in cardiac surgery and oral/maxillofacial procedures. It gained widespread attention in the late 1990s and 2000s when professional athletes began using it for faster recovery from sports injuries. Since then, it has expanded into hair restoration, aesthetics, and regenerative orthopedics, becoming one of the most studied autologous biologic therapies in modern medicine.

What does PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma) help with?

• Joint pain and osteoarthritis (knee, hip, shoulder): PRP injected into arthritic joints delivers concentrated growth factors that help reduce inflammation and may slow cartilage breakdown. Many people with knee osteoarthritis report meaningful pain relief and better mobility lasting 6–12 months after a series of injections, with results often comparable to or better than cortisone or hyaluronic acid shots for certain patients.
• Tendon injuries and tendinopathy: Tendons have poor blood supply and heal slowly on their own. Injecting PRP directly into a damaged tendon floods it with repair signals that encourage new tissue growth and collagen remodeling. This is one of the best-studied uses of PRP, particularly for patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, and tennis elbow.
• Hair loss (androgenetic alopecia): PRP injected into the scalp stimulates dormant hair follicles by delivering growth factors that promote follicle cell activity and blood supply to the roots. Most patients see noticeable improvements in hair density and thickness after 3–4 monthly sessions, with maintenance treatments recommended every 6–12 months.
• Muscle strains and sports injuries: PRP is widely used by athletes to accelerate recovery from muscle tears and ligament sprains. The concentrated growth factors help coordinate the repair process more efficiently, potentially shortening recovery time compared to rest alone — though the benefit varies depending on injury severity and location.
• Chronic low back pain: When injected into damaged spinal ligaments, discs, or facet joints, PRP aims to kickstart repair in tissue that typically receives little blood flow and heals poorly. Emerging research shows promising pain reduction in people with chronic discogenic or facet-related back pain, though this remains a developing area.
• Skin aging and texture: Applied to the skin during microneedling (sometimes called the 'vampire facial'), PRP boosts collagen production and skin cell renewal. Users typically see improvements in fine lines, pore size, skin tone, and overall radiance over 2–3 months following treatment.
• Post-surgical recovery support: Surgeons in orthopedics and oral surgery have used PRP at the surgical site to support faster tissue healing and reduce post-operative inflammation. Evidence in this area is mixed across specialties, but it remains a practical adjunct in some procedures.
• Rotator cuff injuries: PRP is used for partial rotator cuff tears to reduce pain and support tendon healing without surgery. Results are most consistently positive for partial thickness tears, and PRP is often explored as an alternative or delay strategy before considering surgical repair.
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow): Tennis elbow is one of the conditions with the strongest evidence for PRP. Injecting PRP into the painful tendon attachment point at the elbow has shown durable pain relief lasting 12+ months in multiple studies — outperforming cortisone injections in long-term follow-up.
• Sexual wellness (O-Shot / P-Shot): PRP injected into genital tissue is used to improve sexual function — addressing issues like reduced sensitivity, urinary stress incontinence in women, and erectile function in men. Evidence is still early-stage and largely based on small studies, but the approach is gaining interest as a non-pharmaceutical option.

What can PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma) help prevent?

• May slow progression of early-stage cartilage degradation in knee osteoarthritis
• May reduce re-injury risk by supporting more complete tendon healing

Which foods are rich in PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma)?

1. Lean red meat and organ meats: Rich in zinc and B12, both essential for platelet production and healthy platelet function — supporting the biological system PRP relies on.
2. Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel): Omega-3 fatty acids support a balanced inflammatory response and healthy platelet membrane function, creating a better environment for growth factor activity.
3. Leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard): Provide vitamin K, folate, and antioxidants that support collagen synthesis and tissue repair — the same processes PRP stimulates.
4. Eggs: Contain protein, biotin, and vitamin D — all important for tissue regeneration and the cellular repair processes that PRP growth factors initiate.
5. Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries): High in antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress in healing tissue, helping the repair process initiated by PRP proceed more efficiently.

Practical Tips:

PRP itself is not found in food — it is a clinical procedure using your own blood. However, eating a diet that supports healthy platelets, collagen production, and tissue repair can enhance the environment in which PRP works. Focus on protein-rich whole foods, anti-inflammatory fats, and antioxidant-rich produce in the weeks around your treatment. Avoid alcohol and NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) for at least a week before and after PRP, as these can interfere with platelet activity.

What are the side effects of PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma)?

• Soreness and tenderness at the injection site (very common, 1–5 days)
• Swelling and mild inflammation at the injection site
• Bruising at the blood draw or injection site
• Temporary increase in pain in the first 24–72 hours (part of the inflammatory healing response)
• Skin redness (especially with scalp or facial PRP)
• Itching at the injection site
• Dizziness or lightheadedness during blood draw (vasovagal response)
• Infection at the injection site (rare, related to technique)
• Nerve injury (rare, depending on injection location)
• No response or insufficient improvement (outcome is not guaranteed and varies by individual and preparation protocol)

Good to know:

PRP is considered very safe because it uses your own blood, eliminating the risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission. Most side effects are localized, mild, and temporary. Serious complications are rare but can occur if sterile technique is not followed or if injections are performed incorrectly.

How much PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma) should you take?

• Recommended daily: Not a daily supplement — PRP is administered as a series of clinic injections. Typical protocols: Orthopedic/joint conditions: 1–3 injections spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Hair restoration: 3–4 monthly sessions, then maintenance every 6–12 months. Skin/aesthetic: 1–3 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart. Volume per injection typically ranges from 3–8 mL depending on the treatment area.
• Best time of day: No specific time requirement — scheduling is based on clinic availability. Morning appointments may be preferred to allow monitoring throughout the day after the procedure.
• With or without food: Eat a light meal and stay well hydrated before your appointment to support blood draw comfort and platelet quality. Avoid fasting before PRP.
• Time to effect: Initial improvement often felt at 4–6 weeks; full benefit typically at 3–6 months depending on the condition
• How long to take it: Most conditions benefit from an initial series of 2–3 injections, followed by reassessment. Maintenance injections (every 6–12 months) are often recommended for ongoing conditions like osteoarthritis and hair loss. Results from a single series may last 12–18 months for joint conditions.