PRP therapy uses a concentrated portion of your own blood — rich in platelets and the growth factors they carry — to stimulate your body's natural healing response in a targeted area. Because it comes from your own body, rejection risk is essentially zero. It has been used in sports medicine, orthopedics, dermatology, and aesthetic medicine for over two decades.

Platelets are tiny blood cells packed with growth factors — signaling proteins that tell your body to repair damaged tissue, build new blood vessels, and reduce inflammation. When PRP is injected into an injured joint, thinning scalp, or aging skin, it delivers a high concentration of these signals right where they are needed. This jumpstarts the repair process and can extend or amplify what your body would do naturally on its own, just more slowly.

PRP is always prepared fresh at the time of treatment from a small blood draw (usually 10–60 mL). The blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma layer, which is then either injected directly (joints, scalp, tendons) or applied topically during microneedling (skin). Leukocyte-rich PRP (with white blood cells) and leukocyte-poor PRP (without) are two common preparation variants — the optimal choice depends on the condition being treated. Concentration, activation method (with or without thrombin/calcium chloride), and centrifugation protocol vary by clinic and can meaningfully affect results.

• Joint pain and osteoarthritis (knee, hip, shoulder)
• Tendon injuries and tendinopathy
• Hair loss (androgenetic alopecia)
• Muscle strains and sports injuries
• Chronic low back pain
• Skin aging and texture
• Post-surgical recovery support
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Sexual wellness (O-Shot / P-Shot)

• May slow progression of early-stage cartilage degradation in knee osteoarthritis
• May reduce re-injury risk by supporting more complete tendon healing

• Lean red meat and organ meats — Rich in zinc and B12, both essential for platelet production and healthy platelet function — supporting the biological system PRP relies on.
• Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) — Omega-3 fatty acids support a balanced inflammatory response and healthy platelet membrane function, creating a better environment for growth factor activity.
• Leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard) — Provide vitamin K, folate, and antioxidants that support collagen synthesis and tissue repair — the same processes PRP stimulates.
• Eggs — Contain protein, biotin, and vitamin D — all important for tissue regeneration and the cellular repair processes that PRP growth factors initiate.
• Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries) — High in antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress in healing tissue, helping the repair process initiated by PRP proceed more efficiently.

• Soreness and tenderness at the injection site (very common, 1–5 days)
• Swelling and mild inflammation at the injection site
• Bruising at the blood draw or injection site
• Temporary increase in pain in the first 24–72 hours (part of the inflammatory healing response)
• Skin redness (especially with scalp or facial PRP)
• Itching at the injection site
• Dizziness or lightheadedness during blood draw (vasovagal response)
• Infection at the injection site (rare, related to technique)
• Nerve injury (rare, depending on injection location)
• No response or insufficient improvement (outcome is not guaranteed and varies by individual and preparation protocol)

• Recommended daily: Not a daily supplement — PRP is administered as a series of clinic injections. Typical protocols: Orthopedic/joint conditions: 1–3 injections spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Hair restoration: 3–4 monthly sessions, then maintenance every 6–12 months. Skin/aesthetic: 1–3 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart. Volume per injection typically ranges from 3–8 mL depending on the treatment area.
• Best time of day: No specific time requirement — scheduling is based on clinic availability. Morning appointments may be preferred to allow monitoring throughout the day after the procedure.
• With or without food: Eat a light meal and stay well hydrated before your appointment to support blood draw comfort and platelet quality. Avoid fasting before PRP.
• Time to effect: Initial improvement often felt at 4–6 weeks; full benefit typically at 3–6 months depending on the condition
• How long to take it: Most conditions benefit from an initial series of 2–3 injections, followed by reassessment. Maintenance injections (every 6–12 months) are often recommended for ongoing conditions like osteoarthritis and hair loss. Results from a single series may last 12–18 months for joint conditions.