top of page

PRP: Spinning the Truth? The Real Story Behind PRP

Alison Mary

Updated: Feb 4

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has gained significant attention in recent years, touted as a natural solution for various conditions, including skin rejuvenation, hair loss, and joint pain. But does PRP truly live up to the hype? Let's delve into what PRP is, examine the scientific evidence supporting its use, and explore both the potential benefits and limitations of this treatment.


What is PRP?


PRP involves drawing a small amount of a patient's blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting this platelet-rich plasma back into the patient's body. Platelets are known for their role in blood clotting and contain growth factors that are thought to promote healing and tissue regeneration.


 

How is PRP Used in Aesthetics?


In aesthetic medicine, PRP is commonly used for:


  • Facial Rejuvenation: Often referred to as the “vampire facial,” PRP is injected into the skin or applied after microneedling to improve skin tone, texture, and elasticity.

  • Hair Restoration: PRP is injected into the scalp to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair regrowth, particularly in cases of androgenetic alopecia.

  • Under-Eye Rejuvenation: Used to reduce dark circles, fine lines, and hollowness in the under-eye area.

  • Acne Scarring: PRP is sometimes combined with microneedling to enhance the healing of acne scars and promote collagen production.

  • Skin Tightening and Collagen Stimulation: PRP is believed to boost collagen and elastin production, leading to firmer, more youthful-looking skin.


 

The Evidence: What Does the Research Say?


The efficacy of PRP varies depending on the condition being treated:


  • Osteoarthritis (OA): Some studies suggest that PRP injections can alleviate pain and improve function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. A meta-analysis indicated that PRP injections were effective in reducing pain symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis, temporomandibular joint disorders, and ankle osteoarthritis. However, the same analysis found no significant efficacy in patients with hip osteoarthritis. Additionally, PRP injection therapy can effectively improve the functional activity of osteoarthritis patients and has a high level of safety for clinical applications. (frontiersin.org)

  • Tendinopathy: Research indicates that PRP injections may offer clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms for patients with tendinopathy. A systematic review and meta-analysis provided level 1 evidence supporting the efficacy of PRP in treating symptomatic tendinopathy. (bmjopensem.bmj.com)

  • Hair Restoration: PRP has been explored as a treatment for hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia. Research indicates that PRP can be beneficial for pattern hair loss, promoting hair regrowth and increasing hair density. (wolterskluwer.com)

  • Facial Rejuvenation: A review of 14 studies found that PRP injections, either alone or combined with fat grafting, led to improvements in facial skin volume, texture, tone, and a reduction in wrinkles. PRP has also been used to treat acne scars, with some studies reporting positive results. (wolterskluwer.com)


 

Limitations and Considerations


While some studies show promise, it's important to note several limitations:


  • Inconsistent Results: Not all studies have found PRP to be effective. For instance, a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial concluded that PRP and plasma were not superior to placebo for pain and function improvement in knee osteoarthritis over 24 weeks. (bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com)

  • Variability in PRP Preparations: Differences in how PRP is prepared and administered can lead to inconsistent outcomes. Factors such as platelet concentration, the presence of white blood cells, and activation methods vary across studies and clinical practices.

  • Lack of Standardisation: There is no universally accepted protocol for PRP therapy, making it challenging to compare results across studies and apply findings broadly.


 

More Scientifically Proven Anti-Aging Treatments


If you're looking for treatments backed by years of research, consider the following options:


  • CO₂ Fractional Laser – With over 20 years of clinical research, this laser technology is considered the gold standard for resurfacing, improving fine lines, and boosting collagen.

  • Sculptra – Backed by over 25 years of studies, this biostimulatory injectable promotes gradual collagen production and long-term volumization.

  • Hyperdilute Radiesse – This dermal filler, with more than 15 years of research, has been adapted for skin rejuvenation, improving elasticity and firmness.

  • PDO Mono Threads – Used for over 10 years in aesthetic medicine, these threads induce collagen synthesis over time.

  • Tretinoin (cream) – One of the most researched topical anti-aging treatments with over 50 years of data supporting its efficacy in increasing cell turnover and collagen production.

  • Microneedling with Radiofrequency (RF) – With more than 10 years of research, RF microneedling has shown to improve skin laxity, texture, and overall collagen stimulation.


 

Final Verdict: A Promising Treatment, But More Research Needed


PRP therapy presents an intriguing avenue for treatment across various medical fields. While some evidence supports its use in conditions like osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, facial rejuvenation, and hair restoration, the results are mixed, and more high-quality, standardised research is necessary to determine its true efficacy.


If you’re considering PRP, ask yourself: are you investing in a proven treatment or just getting caught in the spin cycle?


When it comes to regenerative aesthetics, you deserve results backed by real science—not just another treatment that sounds good on paper.


If after reading this, you still want to go ahead with PRP, make sure to thoroughly vet your chosen clinic. Ask for many before-and-after pictures—not just a couple—to ensure consistency in results. Be sure that the images clearly show improvements from PRP alone and that the patients haven’t also had Botox, fillers, or other treatments that could be influencing the outcome.


 


 

While PRP is hyped for collagen production, PDO threads offer a more structured approach.


Collagen supplements claim to enhance results—but do they actually work?

 



留言


bottom of page