What to Expect During Your Microneedling PRP Procedure

PRP Injection Procedure in R2 Medical Clinic

Microneedling with platelet-rich plasma is an anti-aging procedure that allows individuals to improve skin health with the use of the body’s own repair mechanisms. Microneedling has been around for some time and has proven to be very effective. The addition of PRP was made popular by Kim Kardashian.

What Is Microneedling with PRP?

Microneedling with platelet-rich plasma is a cosmetic procedure that uses a device with 11-42 micro-needles to stimulate very mild inflammation to the skin.  Inflammation is the core process of healing that leads to increases in collagen production. 

Micro-needling is then followed by the application of PRP, growth proteins, obtained from the patient to stimulate healing.  Think fertilizer after aeration of your grass.  This will decrease sunspots, mild skin imperfections reduce wrinkling or sagging. and makes your skin appear to be youthful and radiant.

The Process of Microneedling with PRP

Microneedling with PRP utilizes the patient’s own cells to repair skin texture and restore a youthful appearance. During a microneedling procedure, the medical professional will take a blood sample from the patient, then use a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the blood cells.   PRP is the plasma portion of blood that contains platelets and growth factor proteins that are very important in healing injuries. The platelet-rich plasma is then applied to the skin after the microneedling procedure.  This begins to stimulate collagen production and skin cell healing.

In many cases, the practitioner applies topical anesthesia to the patient’s skin to reduce discomfort during the procedure.

What To Expect from Microneedling

Some individuals may experience discomfort during the procedure, but pain is uncommon due to the topical anesthesia.

A small amount of blood rises to the surface of the skin, which is wiped away at the end of the procedure.

Upon completion, some patients may feel mild soreness/swelling or see some reddening of the skin. Mild skin irritation is also possible, but this side effect is usually very short-lived (24-48 hours).

It’s acceptable to take acetaminophen to relieve discomfort following the procedure.  Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and naproxen are avoided because these will decrease inflammation and thus decrease the effects of PRP and the healing process.

How Long Do the Effects Last?

The effects following the first round of microneedling with PRP typically last between four and six weeks.  Some proceed with follow up sessions for optimal results.

Because the surface of the skin constantly changes, microneedling with PRP procedures may be appropriate on a regular schedule. Microneedling with platelet-rich plasma is a highly-effective procedure that improves the health and appearance of the skin using the patient’s own healing cells. Utilizing platelet-rich plasma shows significant benefits over microneedling alone, and the procedure is presenting advanced healing capabilities for patients who hope to improve skin health.