Platelet-rich plasma uses a concentrate of a person's own platelets, injected or applied with microneedling, to prompt skin to rebuild collagen. Clearest benefits are modest gains in texture, firmness, thickness, and satisfaction; results fade over months. Evidence is mixed and low-certainty. Side effects are mild and brief; the main serious danger is unsafe blood handling at unlicensed providers. (Full Review)

Protocol

Treatment Course

~3 sessions, 3–4 weeks apart

Range 1–8; maintenance every 6–12 months

Delivery Method

Injection or microneedling

Intradermal micro-injections or topical PRP with microneedling; often combined

Preparation

Chairside, ~10–60 mL blood

Centrifuged (single or double spin), optionally activated with calcium chloride

Time to effect

Visible Changes

Several weeks to a few months

Gradual, as new collagen forms

Results Assessed

After a series of sessions

Assessed ~4–6 weeks after a session and at series end

Durability

Typically lasts months

Not permanent; maintenance sessions needed to sustain

Benefits

Medium: Improved skin texture and fine lines; increased patient satisfaction

Low: Greater skin thickness and elasticity; reduction of under-eye dark circles and periorbital aging; enhanced recovery and results when combined with lasers or microneedling

Speculative: Improvement of skin pigmentation and photodamage; skin hydration

Contraindications

Active bloodborne infection

Platelet or bleeding disorders (uncontrolled)

Low platelet count (below ~100–150 ×10⁹/L)

Active skin infection or cancer at treatment site (active cutaneous malignancy)

Ongoing anticoagulation that cannot be paused

Pregnant or breastfeeding

Key Interactions

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (aspirin, NSAIDs, clopidogrel, warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban)

Corticosteroids (oral or injected; prednisone)

Supplements with antiplatelet or blood-thinning effects (fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, garlic, ginger, high-dose curcumin)

Other aesthetic procedures (microneedling, fractional laser resurfacing)

Risk & Side Effects

High: Injection-site reactions: pain, bruising, swelling, and redness

Medium: Bloodborne infection from unsafe practice; infection, inflammation, and skin nodules

Low: Vascular occlusion and visual complications; post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Speculative: Disappointing or absent cosmetic benefit

Monitoring

Marker	Target	Why
Platelet count	200–400 ×10⁹/L	Confirms enough platelets for a potent preparation and safe procedure
Hemoglobin / hematocrit	Hgb ~13–15 g/dL (women), ~14–16 g/dL (men)	Identifies anemia that can affect blood draw tolerance and healing
Coagulation (PT/INR, aPTT)	INR ~0.9–1.1 (off anticoagulants)	Flags bleeding tendency that raises bruising and bleeding risk
HIV / hepatitis B & C screen	Non-reactive	Establishes baseline infection status and informs safe handling
Fasting glucose / HbA1c	Glucose 70–85 mg/dL; HbA1c <5.4%	Poorly controlled blood sugar impairs wound healing and skin repair

Cadence: Baseline screening before starting; clinical and photographic assessment ~4–6 weeks after a session, at end of the initial series, then every 6–12 months at maintenance visits

Qualitative Assessment

Self-perceived improvement in skin smoothness, firmness, and overall freshness
Visible softening of fine lines and improved skin texture on standardized photos
Reduced under-eye darkness or improved periorbital appearance, where treated
Overall satisfaction with the result relative to cost and downtime
Absence of persistent redness, nodules, or pigmentation changes

Platelet-Rich Plasma for Skin Rejuvenation

Protocol

Benefits

Risk & Side Effects

Monitoring

Qualitative Assessment