Platelet Rich Plasma, known as PRP, uses a concentrated sample of your own platelets to help reduce pain and accelerate healing in soft-tissue and joint conditions. It’s a minimally invasive option that can lessen inflammation, speed tissue repair, and improve mobility with few side effects. Ideal for patients seeking nonsurgical pain relief and faster recovery from chronic tendinopathies, joint pain, and procedure-related discomfort.

A PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection is a therapeutic treatment derived from your blood. Platelets are a component of your blood. They contain special proteins called growth factors that have healing properties. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood. At Rewind Advanced Aesthetics, Dermatology, Concierge Medicine, and Trichology by Formula Health in Lexington, Kentucky, this is part of regenerative medicine.

A practitioner prepares PRP by processing a sample of your blood in a machine. It separates the platelets and concentrates them in the plasma.

A PRP injection has five to 10 times as many platelets as a normal blood sample would. A practitioner will inject this platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into diseased or injured tissues. The growth factors in the platelets may aid in improving your symptoms. They can also lead to faster wound healing. Platelet-rich plasma injections can ease the pain of osteoarthritis and can even treat skin conditions and hair loss.

How long does a PRP injection take?

If you’re getting a therapeutic PRP injection to treat a joint or injury, the whole process takes about an hour. If you’re having a PRP injection for pain management or a cosmetic procedure, such as microneedling for a PRP facelift or hair loss treatment, extra steps may prolong the procedure. Your healthcare provider can tell you what to expect.

What should I expect after my PRP injection?

PRP treatment will typically cause some swelling and pain at first. This is because it stimulates a healing process similar to what happens after an injury. Swelling and pain are signs of inflammation, which is the beginning of the healing process. These symptoms may last for a day or two after your treatment.

How long does PRP treatment take to work?

It can take a few weeks to see or feel the initial results of the treatment, like pain relief or cosmetic improvement. It might take several months for injured or diseased tissues to fully heal, or for new hair to grow. Some people may need more than one PRP treatment to achieve the results they’re looking for.

How long do the effects of PRP treatment last?

The effects of a PRP injection may last from six months to a year or longer, depending on the condition being treated. During this time, your symptoms should continue to improve for several months. Besides providing pain relief, platelet-rich plasma should improve your overall condition as time goes on.

Some providers combine PRP shots with other therapeutic injections, like cortisone shots or gel shots for arthritis. For additional information, please book a free consultation or call Rewind Aesthetics, Concierge Medicine, Dermatology, and Trichology by Formula Health in Lexington, Kentucky, at (859) 800-4771.

Citations for Patients:
1. “Platelet-Rich Plasma: An Overview,” *Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology*.
2. “Autologous PRP: Its Role in Pain Management,” *Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine*. (Restricted. Access Required)
3. “Minimally Invasive Procedures in Dermatology,” *International Journal of Dermatological Innovations*.
4. “The use of platelet-rich plasma in management of musculoskeletal pain: a narrative review,” *U.S. National Institutes of Health*.
5. “PRP injections are used for a range of conditions from musculoskeletal pain and injuries to cosmetic procedures,” *The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System*