PRP platelet-rich plasma – how does it work and what does it help with?

Content author: medicine. Piotr Rak, surgeon · Editorial work: Editorial team of Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej · Medical review: lek. Piotr Rak · Date of creation: 07.08.2026 · Date of review: 07.08.2026 · Updated: 07.08.2026

The article is of an educational nature and does not replace a medical consultation or qualification for the procedure, which requires an examination. Increasing pain, swelling, redness spreading beyond the injection site, fever or discharge of pus after the procedure require urgent contact with a doctor. Skin lesions of unclear nature should first be diagnosed and not subjected to aesthetic treatments.

The most important information at a glance

• PRP is plasma with an increased concentration of platelets, obtained from the patient's own blood by centrifugation.
• Platelets contain growth factors - signaling proteins that trigger repair processes in the body after tissue damage.
• The treatment is autologous, so no foreign material is introduced and there is no risk of an allergic reaction to the preparation.
• PRP is not a filler. It does not add volume, does not shape the face contour and does not fill deep wrinkles.
• It affects the quality of the skin: hydration, color, tension and density. The effect builds gradually over weeks.
• The standard is a series of treatments, usually several sessions spaced several weeks apart, followed by maintenance treatments.
• The most common aesthetic applications are the facial skin, eye area, neck, cleavage, hands and supporting the treatment of hair loss.
• PRP differs from PRF, i.e. platelet-rich fibrin, in the method of preparation and the rate of release of growth factors.
• The procedure requires medical qualification. Contraindications include, among others, blood diseases, coagulation disorders, active infection and cancer.
• The effectiveness of PRP depends on the indication. The data is stronger in some areas, limited in others - and that's how it should be presented to the patient.

Find out more about the specialist

Doctor. Piotr Rak is a surgeon at the Island of Friendly Medicine in Gdańsk. He deals with surgical procedures and aesthetic medicine procedures. In regenerative treatments, qualification is particularly important: assessing whether the patient's problem actually concerns the quality of the skin, or rather a loss of volume or laxity - because this determines whether PRP is the right choice.

Schedule a consultation

What is platelet-rich plasma?

Blood consists of plasma and morphotic elements: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Platelets are mainly associated with clotting, but their role is broader. When tissue damage occurs, platelets accumulate in that place and release growth factors - signaling proteins that trigger healing: they stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen, influence the formation of new vessels and attract cells involved in repair.

PRP uses this mechanism in a controlled manner. A plasma fraction with a higher platelet concentration than in peripheral blood is obtained from the patient's blood and administered to the areas where we want to stimulate repair processes. Therefore, we do not introduce any medicinal substance from the outside - we provide a concentrated signal that the body knows.

The nature of the effect results directly from this. PRP does not work immediately because it does not take up any space in the tissue and does not fill anything. It starts a process that takes time - and this means that the result is assessed after weeks, not after leaving the office.

How is the preparation made?

The entire procedure takes place during one visit and usually takes several dozen minutes, most of which is preparation of the preparation. The material is not stored or prepared in advance - it is created from blood collected on the same day and administered immediately after centrifugation.

It is worth knowing that the name PRP covers preparations with different compositions. Centrifugation kits and protocols are not identical, and the obtained plasma may contain more or less platelets and a different admixture of leukocytes. This is one of the reasons why PRP research results tend to be mixed - they compare products that are not the same thing.

What PRP works for and what it doesn't

This is the most important part of this article, because most disappointments after the treatment come from expectations that PRP could never meet.

What you can expect:

• improvement of skin hydration and smoothness,
• evenness of skin tone and improvement of the so-called freshness of the skin,
• improvement of the tension and density of thin skin, especially around the eyes,
• reduction of fine wrinkles resulting from dehydration and loss of firmness,
• supporting the healing and improving the quality of scars, including acne scars,
• supporting the treatment of hair loss as part of a broader therapy plan.

What you should not expect:

• filling of deep wrinkles - PRP does not add volume,
• reconstruction of the lost volume of the cheeks or temples,
• modeling of the face oval and lifting drooping tissues,
• removal of facial wrinkles that result from muscle activity,
• effect visible immediately after the treatment,
• permanent result after a single session,
• replacement of skin disease treatment or hair loss diagnosis.

Fair note about evidence: the effectiveness of PRP is not equally documented in all indications. In some applications, such as supporting the treatment of some forms of hair loss or improving skin quality, there is more data. In others they are limited or ambiguous. A reliable qualification involves telling the patient which group his case belongs to - and not presenting PRP as a universal method.

Applications in aesthetic medicine

Facial skin. The most common indication. PRP is used for gray, dehydrated, tired skin, with fine wrinkles and uneven skin tone - where the problem is the quality of the skin, not its quantity. It is also sometimes combined with other treatments as part of a broader plan.

Eye area. The skin of the eyelids is the thinnest on the body and loses density early. This is the area where the improvement in skin quality can be clearly noticed. However, two situations must be distinguished: thin, sagging skin around the eyes, which PRP can affect, and dark circles resulting from loss of volume or bulging fat tissue - which PRP will not change.

Neck and cleavage. The skin of these areas is thin, poor in sebaceous glands and heavily exposed to the sun, which is why it ages faster than the face. This is a common area of ​​treatments to improve skin quality.

Hands. The backs of the hands show age, and the skin there can be thin and dry. PRP improves its quality, but it will not rebuild the lost subcutaneous tissue - other methods are used for this purpose, described in the article about fat tissue transplantation.

Scars. PRP is sometimes an element of the treatment of acne and post-treatment scars, usually in combination with other methods, not on its own.

Hair. Scalp treatments are used to support the treatment of hair loss. Key condition: diagnosis first. Hair loss may result from iron deficiency, thyroid disease, hormonal disorders, stress, medications or a previous illness - and then the procedure will not replace the treatment of the cause.

Other uses of PRP beyond aesthetics

Although patients associate PRP mainly with aesthetic medicine, platelet-rich preparations are also used in other areas - usually as an element of treatment, not as a stand-alone method.

• Orthopedics and sports medicine - in selected cases of degenerative changes in joints and overload injuries of tendons, after orthopedic qualification.
• Treatment of chronic wounds - as a healing support in difficult-to-heal wounds.
• Surgery and dentistry - as an element supporting tissue healing after procedures.
• Urology and gynecology - in the area of ​​regenerative treatments, where, however, scientific data remains limited.

In each of these areas, the same principle applies: qualification by a specialist appropriate for a given problem, and PRP does not replace determining the cause of the ailment or treating the underlying disease.

PRP and other treatments - what is the difference

Practical conclusion: PRP and filler do not compete with each other because they address different problems. If your skin is thin, gray and dehydrated – PRP may be appropriate. If your temples and cheeks have sunken - you need volume, which PRP cannot provide. For some patients, it makes sense to combine both approaches in one plan.

What does the treatment look like and how many sessions are needed?

The visit begins with qualifications: interview, skin assessment and discussion of expectations. Then, blood is taken, the preparation is prepared and it is administered to the selected area, usually after applying local anesthesia in the form of a cream. The procedure itself takes a short time - most of the time is spent preparing the material.

PRP is performed in a series. A single treatment rarely produces a noticeable effect because the mechanism of action is based on the gradual stimulation of repair processes. The standard is several sessions spaced several weeks apart, followed by maintenance treatments at longer intervals. The number of sessions, intervals and maintenance plan are determined individually by the doctor, depending on the skin condition, age and purpose of the treatment.

Immediately after the procedure, redness, slight swelling and small puncture marks, sometimes bruising, are typical. They usually disappear within a few days. During this time, it is usually recommended to avoid make-up during the first day, avoid the sauna, swimming pool and intense exercise, sun protection and gentle care. Detailed recommendations are provided by the doctor performing the procedure.

Contraindications and possible side effects

The fact that the material comes from the patient does not mean the procedure is risk-free. Each injection disrupts the continuity of the skin.

Contraindications or situations requiring deferral include:

• active infection at the site of administration or skin lesions of unclear nature,
• blood diseases and coagulation disorders,
• thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction,
• anticoagulant treatment requiring modification,
• active cancer,
• severe anemia,
• decompensated chronic diseases, including diabetes,
• pregnancy and breastfeeding,
• acute inflammation or systemic infection,
• unrealistic expectations of the effect.

Possible side effects include redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising at the injection sites, transient lumps, less often infection of the injection site, vasovagal reaction during blood collection and lack of expected effect. All of these issues should be discussed before signing informed consent.

Most common myths

• "PRP will fill my wrinkles." No. PRP does not add volume. Other methods are used to fill the grooves.
• "It's a vampire facelift, so it lifts your face." No. The catchy marketing name does not reflect the mechanism - PRP does not lift sagging tissues.
• "Since it's your own blood, there's no risk." No. Autologous material eliminates the risk of reaction to a foreign preparation, but not the risk associated with injection.
• "The effect is visible immediately." No. Immediately after the treatment, mainly redness and swelling are visible, and the effect lasts for weeks.
• "One treatment is enough." No. The standard is a series of sessions followed by maintenance treatments.
• "The effect is permanent." No. The skin continues to age, so maintenance treatments are needed.
• "PRP will stop hair loss without tests." No. First, you need to determine the cause of hair loss, because the procedure will not replace the treatment of the underlying disease.
• "All PRP is the same." No. Preparations vary in composition depending on the kit and centrifugation protocol.

Gray, thin and dehydrated skin - is PRP a good choice?

It depends on whether the problem is skin quality or volume loss. During the consultation, we will assess the skin and propose a method appropriate to the actual cause of the changes.

Regenerative treatments at the Island of Friendly Medicine in Gdańsk

At the Island of Friendly Medicine doctor. Piotr Rak consults with patients interested in aesthetic medicine treatments, including regenerative procedures using autologous preparations. The visit includes an assessment of the skin, discussion of expectations and selection of a method corresponding to the actual problem.

Part of a reliable qualification is to indicate when PRP is not the right choice - for example, when the patient expects a volume effect or when the problem requires dermatological or internal medicine diagnosis first. The current scope of treatments, availability of dates and prices should be confirmed during registration.

Make an appointment Lipotransfer

What to ask the doctor during the consultation?

• Is my problem skin quality or volume loss?
• Is PRP the right choice for me or will another method be better?
• What effect can I realistically expect and what cannot?
• How many sessions do you expect and at what intervals?
• When will we evaluate the effect and how will I know if it has worked?
• Will maintenance treatments be needed and how often?
• What does the skin look like immediately after the treatment and how long does it take to return to its normal appearance?
• Are the medications I take a contraindication?
• What side effects are possible in my situation?
• Is it worth combining PRP with another treatment?
• For hair loss: what tests should I do first?
• What will we do if the effect is unsatisfactory?

FAQ - Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

What is PRP?

This is plasma with an increased concentration of platelets, obtained from the patient's own blood by centrifugation. Platelets release growth factors that stimulate natural repair processes in the tissue.

Does PRP fill wrinkles?

No. PRP does not add volume and does not act as a filler. It affects the quality of the skin: hydration, color, tension and density. Deep furrows require other methods.

When can you see the effect?

Not immediately after the procedure. The mechanism is based on the gradual stimulation of repair processes, therefore the effect is assessed after weeks, usually after completing a series of treatments.

How many treatments are needed?

The standard is a series of several sessions spaced several weeks apart, followed by maintenance treatments. A specific plan is prepared by the doctor, depending on the condition of the skin and the purpose of the treatment.

Does the procedure hurt?

Local anesthesia in the form of a cream is usually used. The sensations depend on the area and individual sensitivity. After the procedure, tenderness and injection marks may occur.

Is PRP safe?

The material comes from the patient, so there is no risk of an allergic reaction to the preparation. However, the procedure itself remains an injection and is associated with local risk, therefore it requires qualifications and sterile conditions.

How is PRP different from PRF?

PRP is plasma with concentrated platelets, usually prepared with an anticoagulant, releasing growth factors quickly. PRF contains a fibrin mesh that is released gradually over many days.

Does PRP help with hair loss?

It is sometimes used to support the treatment of selected forms of hair loss. The condition is earlier diagnosis, because the cause may be iron deficiency, thyroid disease, hormonal disorders or the effect of drugs.

Is the effect permanent?

No. PRP does not stop the skin aging process, so the effect obtained requires maintenance with subsequent treatments at longer intervals.

Can PRP be combined with other treatments?

Yes, PRP is sometimes part of a broader treatment plan, for example when working on scars or in combination with volume-replenishing methods. The doctor decides on the appropriateness and order.

Who cannot have the procedure performed?

Contraindications include, but are not limited to, blood diseases and coagulation disorders, thrombocytopenia, active cancer, active infection, severe anemia, pregnancy and breastfeeding. A complete evaluation is performed by a physician.

Who performs such treatments at WMP?

On the WMP website, MD. Piotr Rak is described as a surgeon performing surgical procedures and aesthetic medicine procedures. The scope and availability of treatments are confirmed by registration.

Sources

• Island of Friendly Medicine, lipotransfer - fat tissue transplantation: https://www.wyspamedycynyPrzyjaznej.pl/pl/lipotransfer-blog
• DermNet, Platelet-rich plasma: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/platelet-rich-plasma
• DermNet, Androgenetic alopecia: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/androgenetic-alopecia
• NHS, Cosmetic procedures - what to consider before treatment: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/
• NHS, Dermal fillers (soft tissue fillers): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/
• NHS, Hair loss: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/
• NHS, Iron deficiency anemia: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/
• British Association of Dermatologists, information for patients: https://www.bad.org.uk/patient-information-leaflets/
• FDA, Consumer update on unproven regenerative and stem cell therapies: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-warns-about-stem-cell-therapies