Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is the ultimate "DIY" medical treatment. By harnessing your body’s own natural healing cells, we can concentrate the "growth factors" found in your blood and inject them exactly where they are needed—whether that is a thinning scalp, a creaky knee, or a dull complexion. In 2026, PRP is no longer "experimental"; it is a frontline tool for regenerative medicine.
1. What is it? Any common name for this procedure?
PRP is a concentrated preparation of your own blood that contains a high volume of platelets. While platelets are famous for clotting blood, they are also "sacks" full of growth factors (like PDGF and VEGF) that signal the body to repair tissue, grow new blood vessels, and stimulate stem cells.
- The Process: 1. Draw: A small amount of blood is taken from your arm.
2. Spin: It is placed in a centrifuge to separate the heavy red blood cells from the "liquid gold" plasma.
3. Inject: The concentrated platelets (usually $3\times$ to $5\times$ the baseline concentration) are injected into the target area.
- Common Names: PRP, "Vampire Facial" (when used with microneedling), Liquid Gold, or Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP).
2. Common Symptoms for Medical Consultation
PRP is usually sought out when the body’s natural healing process has stalled or needs a "boost":
- Thinning Hair: Noticing more hair in the drain or a widening part (early-stage balding).
- Joint "Grinding" or Pain: Persistent knee, shoulder, or hip pain that hasn't responded to physical therapy.
- Tendon Tenderness: Pain in the elbow (Tennis Elbow) or heel (Achilles tendonitis) that hurts with movement.
- Skin Aging: Fine lines, hollow under-eyes, or a loss of skin "snap" (elasticity).
- Slow-Healing Wounds: Chronic ulcers that refuse to close.
3. List of Associated Diseases
PRP is used across multiple specialties to treat chronic inflammatory and degenerative conditions:
- Androgenetic Alopecia: Male and female pattern baldness.
- Osteoarthritis: Particularly of the knee and hip (Stage I-III).
- Lateral Epicondylitis: Commonly known as Tennis Elbow.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Chronic heel pain.
- Rotator Cuff Tears: Small to medium partial tears in the shoulder.
- Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Aiding in skin regeneration.
4. List of Screening Tests for This Procedure
Since we are using your blood, we need to make sure your blood is "healthy" enough to do the job:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Specifically checking your Platelet Count. If your baseline platelets are too low (thrombocytopenia), PRP won't be effective.
- Infectious Disease Screen: Checking for Hepatitis and HIV, as these can affect the quality of the plasma and safety of the processing.
- Inflammatory Markers (CRP/ESR): To ensure you don't have an active systemic infection that could be "spread" or worsened by the injection.
- Liver Function Test (LFT): To ensure proper protein synthesis, which affects growth factor quality.
5. Am I Eligible for This Procedure?
- The "Platelet Bank" Rule: You must have a healthy platelet count.
- Non-Smokers: Smoking significantly impairs the "potency" of your growth factors. Many doctors find that PRP is 50% less effective in active smokers.
- Ineligible (Contraindications):
- Active Cancer: Particularly blood or bone cancers.
- Systemic Infection: You cannot have an active fever or sepsis.
- Heavy Blood Thinner Use: If you are on high-dose anticoagulants, the risk of deep bruising (hematoma) at the injection site is too high.
- Pregnancy: Usually avoided due to a lack of long-term safety data in this specific population.
6. Pre and Post Care for This Procedure
Pre-Care (The "No-NSAID" Rule):
- Stop Anti-Inflammatories: You must stop Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), Aspirin, and Naproxen (Aleve) for 7 days before the procedure. PRP relies on inflammation to start the healing process. If you block inflammation with meds, you "kill" the PRP's effectiveness.
- Hydrate: Drink at least 2 liters of water the day before to make the blood draw easier and the plasma more "fluid."
Post-Care:
- The "Wait" Period: Do not use NSAIDs for at least 2 weeks after the injection. Use Paracetamol (Tylenol) for pain instead.
- Activity: For joint/tendon injections, "relative rest" for 48–72 hours is required. No heavy lifting or running.
- Skin/Hair Care: For "Vampire Facials," avoid makeup for 24 hours. For hair, do not wash your scalp or use harsh chemicals for 48 hours.
- Sun Protection: The injected area may be sensitive; keep it covered or use SPF 50+.
7. Days Required for Hospitalization
PRP is a 100% outpatient office procedure.
- Procedure Time: 45 to 90 minutes (including blood draw, centrifuge time, and injection).
- Recovery Room: None required.
- Hospital Stay: 0 days. You can drive yourself home immediately after.
Disclaimer: As per doctor’s advise, the number of sessions (usually a series of 3) and the interval between them (4–6 weeks) will be modified based on your specific condition and how your body responds to the first "dose."
8. Benefits of This Procedure
- Zero Rejection Risk: Because it is your own tissue (autologous), there is no risk of an allergic reaction or "rejection" like there is with synthetic fillers or animal-derived products.
- Minimally Invasive: It provides a middle-ground option for patients who aren't ready for surgery but find that "gel shots" or physical therapy aren't enough.
- Regenerative, Not Just Masking: Unlike steroid shots (cortisone) which simply hide pain and can weaken tendons over time, PRP aims to actually repair the underlying damage.
- Versatility: One technology can treat a receding hairline, a sports injury, and "crow's feet" with equal efficacy.
- Long-Lasting Results: While it takes longer to work (4–6 weeks), the results from PRP often last much longer (12–18 months) than temporary anti-inflammatory treatments.
