Microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combines controlled microscopic skin punctures with a concentrated preparation of your own blood platelets. Microneedling stimulates the skin's natural repair process and collagen production, while PRP provides growth factors that may support healing and skin rejuvenation.
The treatment is designed to improve skin texture, tone, and overall appearance with gradual, natural-looking results. Your plan is tailored to your skin and goals.
Benefits of treatment
- Improves skin texture — softens the look of enlarged pores, rough texture, and acne scars
- Supports collagen production — may help soften fine lines and improve firmness and elasticity
- Enhances skin radiance — promotes a smoother, more even-looking complexion
How it works: a small amount of blood is drawn from your arm and processed in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. A professional microneedling device then creates controlled microchannels in the skin, and PRP is applied to the treated skin or administered by injection, depending on your treatment plan. The procedure typically takes 45–75 minutes, depending on the area treated and whether topical numbing is used.
Frequently asked questions
What are the possible risks and side effects?
Redness, swelling, bruising, and discomfort; dryness, peeling, or temporary sensitivity; acne or rosacea flare-ups; infection; cold sore reactivation; pigment changes; prolonged irritation or delayed healing; and, rarely, scarring. PRP is prepared from your own blood, which minimizes the risk of an allergic reaction to the plasma itself, but infection or complications related to blood collection, processing, or treatment can still occur.
Is this treatment right for me?
Microneedling with PRP may be appropriate for adults seeking improvement in skin texture, mild fine lines, acne scars, or overall skin quality. It may not be appropriate with active skin infections, open wounds, certain inflammatory skin conditions, bleeding disorders, impaired wound healing, or a history of abnormal scarring. Your provider will assess your medical history and skin before treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
A series of approximately 3 treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart is often considered, depending on your skin concerns and how your skin responds. Maintenance treatments may be recommended, and results are not permanent.
How should I prepare before the treatment?
Arrive with clean skin, free of makeup and skincare products, well hydrated, and having eaten a regular meal. Avoid tanning, sunburn, and irritating exfoliating products beforehand. Tell your provider about all medications, supplements, allergies, skin conditions, and any history of cold sores, and do not stop prescribed medications — including blood thinners, aspirin, or anti-inflammatory medications — without guidance from your prescribing clinician. Let your provider know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, immunocompromised, or prone to abnormal scarring.
What does aftercare involve?
For the first 24 hours, avoid makeup, strenuous exercise, excessive sweating, saunas, and swimming, and do not touch, rub, or pick at the treated skin. For 48–72 hours, avoid direct sun exposure, retinoids, exfoliating acids, scrubs, waxing, and chemical peels on the treated area. Use a gentle cleanser and a provider-approved moisturizer, and resume active skincare products gradually once redness and irritation have resolved.
What should I expect after treatment?
Temporary redness, warmth, mild swelling, tightness, sensitivity, and pinpoint bleeding can occur, and the skin may feel like a mild sunburn for 1–3 days. Seek medical advice promptly if you experience worsening pain, increasing redness or warmth, spreading swelling, pus, fever, or blistering.
When will I see results?
Redness and sensitivity gradually subside over the first few days, early improvements in texture and radiance may become noticeable at 2–6 weeks, collagen remodeling can bring further improvement over 1–3 months, and results may continue to develop over 3–6 months. A series of about 3 treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart is often recommended, with maintenance as needed. Results are not permanent — natural aging continues, and individual results vary.