Reviewed by: Dr. Menna Salman, MD, MSc – Medical Doctor | Pediatric Specialist
What is PRP, and why is it gaining popularity?
Quick Summary:
- PRP is a mixture of platelets and growth factors in our blood.
- PRP is created by drawing a small amount of blood from a patient, processing it in a machine called a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the blood, and then injecting this concentrated mixture into different body parts.
- It can stimulate tissue healing and renewal.
- Research shows PRP may help in degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis, joint pain, spinal degeneration, autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, and skin/hair aging.
- PRP has minimal side effects, such as mild pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site.
What Is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a mixture of platelets in a small blood volume. It is obtained by collecting a sample of the patient’s blood, then putting it in a machine called a centrifuge that spins very quickly to separate the platelets from other cells in the blood.
Most people know platelets help stop bleeding when you cut yourself. But platelets also send out special proteins called growth factors. These growth factors may help your body:
- Fix damaged tissue
- Heal wounds
- Cut down on long-term swelling
- Slow down some diseases [1]
But how do they make PRP?
PRP comes from your own blood through a quick and safe process at a doctor’s office. It takes about 30 minutes. PRP has very little chance of rejection or allergic response because it originates from your own blood.
Here’s how it is done step by step:
- The doctor takes a small amount of blood (10-30ml) from your arm, just like a regular blood test.
- They put your blood in a machine called a centrifuge that spins it very fast for 5 to 10 minutes. This spinning breaks your blood into three layers:
- Red blood cells at the bottom
- Platelet-rich plasma in the middle
- Platelet-poor plasma at the top
- The doctor takes out the middle layer that has all the platelets and growth factors.
- Sometimes, a small amount of calcium chloride or thrombin might be given to “activate” the platelets, causing them to release growth factors before they put them back in your body [2].
- The doctor then injects the PRP where you need it. They may put it in your joints for arthritis, your scalp for hair loss, or your skin to help make it look better or reduce scars.
What Diseases is PRP used for?
Degenerative Osteoarthritis (OA):
The most common type of arthritis is called degenerative OA. Arthritis means joint swelling that causes pain, makes joints hard to use, and can lead to disability. Injecting PRP into painful joints may help improve quality of life for people with OA because PRP contains growth factors that may:
- Wake up cartilage-making cells (called chondrocytes) and help them grow and act like healthy cells to preserve normal cartilage structure [3].
- Block harmful substances that break down cartilage in arthritis [4].
- Help the joint lining make more hyaluronic acid, a natural fluid that helps joints move smoothly, which may improve how well joints bend and move [5].
A 2015 study in the journal “Clinical Medicine Insights: Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders” found that PRP worked better than hyaluronic acid shots (a common treatment) in most cases and the effects lasted longer [6].
Degenerative Spine Diseases:
Degenerative spine diseases often come from putting too much strain on your back through heavy lifting, old injuries, diving, or playing rough sports. Between the bones in your spine (vertebrae) sit spinal discs. These discs work like shock absorbers that make your back flexible and cut down on impact when you move, bend, or lift things [7].
In these spine diseases, special cells called notochord-derived cells start to die off. These cells help keep spinal discs healthy. The spine also loses cartilage-like cells that make important substances such as collagen, aggrecan, and proteoglycans. These substances support the disc. When you don’t have enough of them, your discs can’t absorb pressure well, which may cause pain, stiffness, and numbness [8].
A 2017 study in the journal “Pain Medicine” found that when doctors injected PRP into people with Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), many said they had less back pain and showed positive changes on their MRI scans. In a group of 22 patients with DDD in their lower back, a single PRP shot led to more than 50% improvement in almost half of the people in the study [9].
Rheumatic Disorders and Autoimmune Diseases:
PRP may improve quality of life with some rheumatic disorders, such as:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) – where joints wear down over time
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – where your immune system attacks your joints
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) – where too much collagen builds up in your skin and organs
A 2023 study in “Current Rheumatology Reviews” showed that people with rheumatoid arthritis had less severe symptoms and better lab test results after getting PRP compared to steroid shots [10] [11].
Vasculitis:
Vasculitis is swelling of the blood vessels that can affect arteries, veins, and tiny blood vessels throughout your body. It can happen because of infections, autoimmune disorders, or even for unknown reasons. There are different types, such as Giant Cell Arteritis, Takayasu’s Arteritis, and Behçet’s Disease.
A 2016 study in the “International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases” found that PRP may help heal wounds in patients with various forms of vasculitis, when used with other treatments like corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress the immune system [12].
Dermatology: Skin and Hair:
Skin rejuvenation:
Your skin has two main types of cells called fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Fibroblasts make collagen, which keeps your skin elastic and bouncy. Keratinocytes make keratin, a protein that makes your skin strong and waterproof.
PRP contains growth factors that may:
- Help your skin cells renew themselves faster
- Make your skin produce more collagen to improve how your skin looks and feels
- Help form new tiny blood vessels in these skin cells
PRP works very well with treatments like microneedling and laser therapy. These treatments make small channels in your skin that let the PRP go deeper where it can work better. When used together, they may speed up healing, build more collagen, and make skin tone more even.
PRP also shows promise for treating stretch marks, which happen when skin stretches too quickly during pregnancy or fast weight loss. When doctors use PRP with other treatments like ultrasound and radiofrequency, it may help these marks look better.
Hair growth stimulation:
PRP may help people with hair loss, such as male and female pattern baldness or conditions like alopecia areata (where hair falls out in patches). PRP may help hair follicles grow thicker, stronger hair by:
- Starting the active growth phase of hair (called the anagen phase)
- Increasing blood flow around hair follicles
- Protecting the cells that support hair growth
Some advanced PRP treatments mix PRP with other substances like:
- CD34+ cells to make hair thicker and better quality
- Dalteparin particles to help collagen grow and support cells
- Progesterone to block DHT, a hormone that contributes to genetic hair loss [13]
FAQ:
What is PRP treatment?
PRP therapy involves taking a small amount of your blood, spinning it to pull out the platelets, and injecting this rich mixture into injured areas. The growth factors that platelets release may help cut down swelling in ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joints.
What are the benefits of PRP treatment?
- May help your body make more collagen, which can make your skin more elastic, improve how it looks, and reduce wrinkles.
- May help athletes heal faster from injuries to tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
- May slow hair loss by waking up hair follicles and helping them grow thicker, healthier hair. This may work for hair loss problems like androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness).
- May ease joint pain and help people with arthritis move better.
- May reduce swelling because PRP has growth factors that may help control how your body responds to inflammation, which could help with autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- May help tissues grow back in osteoarthritis (OA) and other joint diseases that get worse over time. PRP may help fix damaged cartilage and connective tissues.
Is PRP treatment safe?
PRP therapy is usually safe because it uses your own blood, which lowers the chance of allergic reactions or infections. But, like any shot, there is a small risk of infection. Some people may feel temporary pain, swelling, or see bruising where the needle went in.
What is the price of PRP treatment?
The cost of PRP treatment depends on where you live, how skilled your doctor is, and what problem you’re treating. A single PRP shot usually costs between $500 and $2,500.
Does insurance cover PRP treatment?
Many insurance companies see PRP treatment as experimental and don’t pay for it. You should check with your insurance company to find out if they will cover it.
How many PRP treatments are required?
The number of PRP sessions you need depends on what’s being treated and how your body responds. For hair loss, you might need three to four treatments spaced a month apart, then maintenance visits every few months. People with joint or tendon problems might need fewer sessions, while some cases need more.
How long do PRP results last?
How long PRP treatment effects last depends on what’s being treated and your personal factors:
- Hair loss: Results may last up to a year, but you might need maintenance treatments every 6–12 months.
- Joint Pain & Injuries: PRP effects often work best between 3 and 6 months after treatment, then may slowly decrease.
- Skin Rejuvenation: Improvements in skin texture and collagen production may last several months, but you might need regular treatments to keep the results.
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