Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy – A Breakthrough in the Field of Regenerative Medicine
PRP is the one regenerative treatment you can actually watch being made. A small amount of your blood goes into a tube, the tube is spun, and a few minutes later your blood has separated into layers you can see. The layer that matters is a thin band of plasma packed with platelets.
This page takes you inside that tube. Once you know what each layer is, it becomes much easier to understand why two providers’ “PRP” can be very different products, and whether it suits the problem you have.
Start here
What brings you to PRP?
What Happens Inside the Tube
After your blood is spun in a machine called a centrifuge, it settles into layers by weight. Heavy red cells sink to the bottom and light plasma rises to the top. This is what you would see.
Clear, straw-coloured fluid with few platelets. Usually removed and thrown away.
Plasma just above the cells, holding most of the platelets. Platelets carry growth factors, the signals your body uses to start healing.
White blood cells and more platelets. Whether this band is included changes the product, as you will see in the recipe card.
The heaviest part of your blood. Not used.
PRP contains no stem cells. It is your own blood, concentrated, so it works by sending healing signals to the area, not by rebuilding tissue. See how stem cell products differ
The PRP Recipe Card
There is no single standard recipe for PRP. Each provider makes a few choices, and each choice changes what goes into your body. Ask your provider to fill in this card.
Why this matters. Studies of PRP often use different recipes, which is one reason results vary from study to study. Two PRP injections with the same name can be quite different, so compare recipes, not just prices.
Where PRP Is Used in the Body
PRP is offered for many problems, but the evidence is not the same for each. Find the area that concerns you.
Knee osteoarthritis
Some of the more consistent evidence. Several trials suggest PRP may ease pain for some people with mild to moderate knee arthritis
Other options. Exercise and physiotherapy, weight management, pain relief, steroid or hyaluronic acid injections, and knee replacement for advanced disease
Read more Osteoarthritis
Tennis elbow, Achilles and other tendon problems
Mixed results. Some studies show benefit, others show little difference from other injections
Other options. Rest, physiotherapy with loading exercises, bracing, and sometimes surgery
Read more Elbow
Rotator cuff problems, sometimes alongside surgery
Mixed. Used both on its own and to support healing after repair surgery
Other options. Physiotherapy, steroid injection, and surgical repair for full tears
Read more Joints
Pattern hair thinning
Some studies suggest it may help thinning hair, usually as a course of sessions with top-ups. It does not regrow hair where follicles are gone
Other options. Minoxidil, prescription medicines, and hair transplant surgery
Skin rejuvenation, acne scars
Small studies only. Results are hard to compare and often combined with microneedling or laser
Other options. Standard skin treatments from a dermatologist
Sexual health, fertility, wound healing and more
Mostly early or experimental. Be careful with offers that promise results here
Other options. Treatments from the relevant specialist
Read more Erectile Dysfunction
Is PRP a Good Fit for You
PRP may be worth discussing if
- You have early to moderate joint wear or a long-standing tendon problem
- Physiotherapy and simple treatments have not helped enough
- You want to try a less invasive option before considering surgery
- You understand results vary and are not guaranteed
PRP may not be right if
- You have a low platelet count or a blood or bone marrow disorder
- You have an infection, especially near the treatment area
- You have an active cancer, or advanced “bone on bone” joint damage
- You take blood thinners. Do not stop them yourself; discuss this with your doctor first
Your PRP Session From Start to Finish
Before
Your provider may ask you to pause anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen for a period before and after, because they can dampen the response. Follow their exact advice.
The draw
A blood sample is taken from your arm, like a routine blood test.
The spin
Your blood is spun and the PRP layer is collected. This usually takes only minutes.
The injection
The area is cleaned and often numbed. The PRP is injected, ideally with ultrasound guidance.
After
Soreness for a few days is common. Most people go home the same day, with advice on rest and activity.
Any change is usually gradual, over weeks rather than days, because PRP works by triggering a healing response. Your provider should tell you when they will review how you are doing.
Side Effects and Warning Signs
Because PRP comes from your own blood, allergic reactions and rejection are not expected. The risks come mainly from the injection itself.
- Common: pain, swelling, stiffness or bruising at the injection site for a few days.
- Less common: infection, bleeding, or irritation of a nearby nerve.
- Linked to poor practice: contamination if the kit or the room is not sterile.
Contact a doctor promptly if you develop a fever, or the area becomes hot, red, increasingly swollen or more painful after the first few days.
Questions Patients Ask Us
Is PRP the same as stem cell therapy?
No. PRP is concentrated platelets from your blood. It contains no stem cells. Some providers combine the two, which makes it a different treatment.
Does PRP rebuild cartilage?
There is no reliable evidence that PRP rebuilds worn cartilage. Where it helps, it is mainly with pain and function.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the problem and the provider’s protocol. Joints are often treated with one to a few injections; hair usually needs a course followed by top-ups.
Is PRP approved?
In many countries the machines used to prepare PRP are approved, but that does not mean every use of PRP has been proven. Ask your provider what evidence supports it for your problem.
Compare Your PRP Recipe Before You Book
A PlacidWay patient coordinator can help you ask providers how they prepare their PRP, so you can compare like with like.
Request InformationReferences
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Review Report on PRP for Knee Osteoarthritis
- Platelet-Rich Plasma in Orthopaedic Applications, Evidence-Based Recommendations for Treatment
- PubMed, Randomized Trials of Platelet-Rich Plasma
- ClinicalTrials.gov, Registered Studies of Platelet-Rich Plasma
This page is for general information and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified doctor about your condition and treatment options.
Who stands behind this article
Health content should never be anonymous. Here are the people who wrote and checked it, with credentials you can verify independently.
Usama
Patient Care Writer
This author specializes in global healthcare trends and medical education. By focusing on evidence-based practices and a patient-first approach, they provide accessible resources to help readers understand their international treatment options with clarity.
Stem Cell Therapy, Longevity & Regenerative Medicine Specialist
Dr. Alejandro Fernando is a Mexico City-based physician and medical content reviewer focused on stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine, cellular therapy and longevity medicine. His reviewer profile lists medical and postgraduate training related to regenerative medicine, cellular therapy and stem cell biology.
How this article was checked
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