PRP may give a modest improvement in skin texture and fine lines for some people, but the evidence is still limited. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) describes PRP for younger-looking skin as an unproven treatment, and a 2024 overview of 13 systematic reviews found the evidence too weak for firm conclusions. Side effects reported in studies are usually mild and short-lived. Individual results vary, and no one can promise a specific outcome.
What PRP is and how it is prepared from your own blood
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. Platelets are tiny parts of your blood that help it clot and help wounds heal, and they carry growth factors. The idea behind PRP for the face is that concentrating those platelets and placing them in the skin may encourage the skin to repair and renew itself.
The AAD describes the process in three steps:
- A small amount of blood, about 2 to 4 tablespoons, is drawn from your arm.
- The blood is spun in a machine called a centrifuge, which separates out and concentrates the platelets.
- The platelet-rich portion is placed back into the skin of the face, either by injection or with microneedling.
According to the AAD, the whole appointment takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Because PRP comes from your own blood, it is sometimes described as "natural," but that doesn't tell you whether it works. That is a question for the research.
What systematic reviews and randomized trials report
Several reviews have pulled together the published studies on PRP for facial rejuvenation. Here is what the more recent ones found.
- A 2024 overview of systematic reviews in the journal Blood Transfusion (Cruciani and colleagues) looked at 13 reviews published between 2015 and 2023. Only one of them combined results statistically for facial rejuvenation. Pooling three randomized controlled trials, it found that people who had PRP added to another treatment reported higher satisfaction than those who did not. The authors rated the certainty of that evidence as low.
- The same 2024 overview found that reviews of PRP combined with laser treatment described better satisfaction and skin elasticity and less redness, but rated that evidence as very low certainty. Combination studies also can't show how much of any change came from PRP itself.
- A 2023 review in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery (Neiva-Sousa and colleagues) included 16 clinical trials with 586 participants. In five of the eight studies that compared PRP with a placebo, both patients and doctors reported benefit. In two studies, the improvement was mostly reported by the patients themselves, while outside evaluators looking at photos saw a much smaller effect.
- A 2021 systematic review in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (Xiao and colleagues) looked at 36 studies with 3,172 patients in total and concluded that the clinical evidence is very limited.
Studies have measured wrinkles, skin texture, elasticity, redness and pigmentation, along with how satisfied people feel. Across the reviews, the clearest signal is in patient satisfaction. Objective measurements of texture, fine lines and tone are less consistent.
Where the evidence is weak
Reviewers keep pointing to the same problems:
- Small studies. In the 2021 review, the typical study included only about 28 patients.
- Few controlled trials. The 2024 overview found that most of the underlying studies had no comparison group.
- No standard recipe. Studies prepared PRP in different ways, used different numbers of treatments, and followed patients for different lengths of time.
- Subjective outcomes. When patients and doctors know who received PRP, ratings of improvement are more open to bias.
The AAD adds that the ideal number of sessions, the spacing between them, the amount injected and the long-term safety are all still unknown. It also notes that the FDA treats PRP as a medical device rather than a drug, so it has not had to go through the large studies required for new drugs.
"Unproven" does not mean PRP doesn't work for anyone. It means the research hasn't yet shown clearly who benefits, how much, or with which method. The 2024 overview called for blinded randomized controlled trials to settle the question.
Is PRP safe?
In the studies reviewed, side effects were generally mild and temporary: pain or burning at the injection site, redness, swelling and tenderness. The AAD says mild pain, bruising and swelling typically clear within a few days.
The AAD notes that the main risks relate to handling: infection if the blood sample isn't kept sterile, and the need for careful procedures so that you receive only your own blood. Long-term side effects are not known.
The AAD also says PRP is not recommended for people with:
- hepatitis C
- HIV or AIDS
- any blood cancer
- heart disease that requires a blood thinner
- skin cancer in the area to be treated
If you take a blood thinner, don't stop it on your own. Mention it at your consultation and ask the doctor who prescribed it about any questions.
What realistic expectations look like
The AAD says that most patients who see results have three or more treatments, and that full effects appear over a few weeks to months rather than right away. The changes described in the studies above are modest, so it helps to go in with realistic expectations. Some people notice a change and some do not; individual results vary.
Is PRP right for you? Talking it through at a consultation
Bay Ridge Dermatology offers PRP for facial rejuvenation, along with complimentary cosmetic consultations. A consultation is the place to talk about what you hope to change, whether PRP is a reasonable fit given the evidence above, and how many sessions would be planned for you. There is no obligation to book treatment. If you decide to go ahead, treatment is a separate cost, and cosmetic treatments are not covered by insurance.
You can read more about our cosmetic dermatology services and about Dr. Evangeline Perez, a board-certified dermatologist with more than 20 years of experience.
If you would like to ask your questions in person, you can book online or call (347) 497-4984.
This article is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own skin, see a dermatologist.