PRP — platelet-rich plasma — is one of the most genuinely exciting treatments in modern aesthetic medicine, and also one of the most misunderstood. The idea of injecting your own blood back into yourself can sound alarming at first. But once you understand the science behind it, the logic is compelling: using your body's own healing mechanisms to stimulate collagen, regenerate tissue and improve skin quality from within.

As a GMC registered doctor with a background in emergency medicine and a specialist interest in skin rejuvenation, PRP is one of the treatments I find most rewarding to deliver at Revitalise Aesthetics. The results are natural, progressive and — because they come from your own biology — entirely unique to you. In this article I want to answer every question I hear in clinic, honestly and in full.

What is PRP and How Does it Work?

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. To understand how it works, it helps to understand what platelets do. Platelets are tiny cells found in your blood whose primary role is to trigger healing. When you injure yourself, platelets rush to the site and release growth factors — proteins that stimulate cell repair, collagen production and new tissue formation.

PRP therapy takes this natural process and concentrates it. A small sample of your blood — similar in volume to a standard blood test — is drawn and placed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins at high speed to separate the components of the blood. This process isolates the plasma, which is then rich in platelets and growth factors at a much higher concentration than normal. This concentrated PRP is then injected directly into the treatment area, where it signals the body to begin an accelerated healing and regenerative response.

Because the treatment uses your own blood, there is no risk of allergic reaction and no foreign substances are introduced into the body. It is one of the most natural treatments available in aesthetic medicine.

What Can PRP Treat?

At Revitalise Aesthetics, we use PRP across three primary areas — each of which benefits from the treatment's regenerative properties in a distinct way.

Facial skin rejuvenation

PRP is highly effective for improving overall skin quality, tone and texture. The growth factors stimulate collagen and elastin production, which helps to firm the skin, reduce fine lines and restore a natural radiance that is difficult to achieve with topical products alone. It is particularly well suited to clients who want visible improvement without the use of dermal fillers or other injectables — a truly natural approach to anti-ageing.

Under eye rejuvenation

The under-eye area is one of the most delicate and difficult areas to treat in aesthetics. The skin here is exceptionally thin and prone to hollowing, dark circles and fine lines — all of which can make a person look tired regardless of how rested they actually are. PRP works beautifully in this area because its regenerative properties improve skin thickness, hydration and brightness, addressing the root causes rather than masking them. At Revitalise, under-eye PRP is one of our most requested treatments.

Scalp and hair restoration

PRP has strong clinical evidence supporting its use in hair loss treatment. The growth factors stimulate dormant hair follicles, encourage new hair growth and improve the thickness and quality of existing hair. We treat both male and female pattern hair loss, as well as diffuse thinning. Results develop gradually but are often genuinely transformative — particularly when treatment begins at an earlier stage of hair loss.

"PRP is one of the few treatments in aesthetics where the results are entirely created by your own body. There's something genuinely special about that — and patients always respond well when they understand the science behind it."

— Dr Amy, Revitalise Aesthetics

What Happens During a PRP Treatment?

Understanding exactly what to expect on the day of your treatment helps enormously with nerves — and the reality is considerably less daunting than many people anticipate.

Step 1 — The blood draw

A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm, exactly as it would be for a routine blood test. For most clients, this is the moment they're most anxious about — and it is invariably more straightforward than expected.

Step 2 — Centrifugation

The blood sample is placed in a centrifuge and spun at high speed for approximately 10 minutes. This separates the blood into its component layers, isolating the platelet-rich plasma.

Step 3 — Preparation of the treatment area

While the centrifuge runs, a topical numbing cream is applied to the treatment area to ensure maximum comfort during the injections.

Step 4 — Injection

The prepared PRP is drawn into a syringe and injected into the treatment area using a fine needle. The number of injection points varies depending on the area being treated — facial and under-eye treatments typically involve multiple small injections across the area, while scalp treatments are performed in a series of microinjections across the thinning zones.

The entire appointment, from arrival to aftercare discussion, typically takes between 45 minutes and one hour.

Does PRP Hurt? What is the Pain Level?

This is one of the questions I hear most in consultation — and I want to answer it honestly.

The blood draw is no different to a standard blood test. For the injections, numbing cream significantly reduces discomfort and most clients describe the sensation as mild pressure or a slight stinging — manageable and brief. The scalp can be more sensitive than the face for some clients, but the numbing cream is applied there too.

Post-treatment, the most common experience is tenderness and a feeling of pressure in the treated area, which typically settles within 24 to 48 hours. Some clients experience redness and mild swelling, particularly with facial or under-eye treatment — this is a normal inflammatory response and an expected part of the process.

I always encourage clients to flag any concerns during treatment. We go at your pace.

How Many PRP Sessions Do I Need?

This depends on your individual concerns, the area being treated and your starting point — but as a general guide:

Some clients with mild concerns see meaningful improvement from a single session. Others with more advanced concerns may benefit from additional treatments. At Revitalise, we will always give you a clear, personalised recommendation during your consultation — and we will only suggest what is genuinely appropriate for your circumstances.

When Will I See Results from PRP?

PRP is not an instant-results treatment — and understanding this is important for managing expectations. The mechanism of action is biological: your body needs time to produce new collagen, regenerate tissue and respond to the growth factors. This is a gradual process, and the timeline reflects that.

Most clients notice an initial improvement in skin hydration and radiance within two to four weeks of their first session. More significant changes in texture, firmness, tone and — for hair treatments — new growth, typically become visible at around six to eight weeks. The most noticeable and lasting results are usually appreciated after the completion of a full course of three sessions.

This gradual progression is, in many ways, one of PRP's greatest strengths. Results develop naturally over time, meaning there is no sudden visible change that announces to the world that you've had a treatment. The improvements look — and are — entirely your own.

What to Expect After Treatment

The recovery period following PRP is generally straightforward and most clients return to their normal routine the following day. That said, there are important guidelines to follow in the immediate post-treatment period.

For the first 24 to 48 hours, avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, hot baths and saunas, and any direct sun exposure. These can worsen initial swelling and may interfere with the body's early inflammatory response — which is, counterintuitively, a necessary part of the healing process that PRP relies on.

Avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen for 48 hours following treatment, for the same reason. Paracetamol is a safe alternative if you need pain relief.

Keep the treated area clean and avoid applying any active skincare ingredients — retinol, vitamin C, AHAs or BHAs — for five days post-treatment. A simple, gentle routine is all that is needed while the skin heals. Full aftercare guidance is provided at every appointment — you can also refer to our PRP treatment page for more detail.

"The recovery is one of the things patients are most pleasantly surprised by. For the majority of clients, any visible redness or swelling has settled within 48 hours — and the results that follow make it more than worthwhile."

— Revitalise Aesthetics

Is PRP Safe? What Are the Risks?

PRP has an excellent safety profile, and the fact that it uses your own blood means the risk of adverse reaction is extremely low compared to treatments that introduce synthetic or foreign substances into the body.

The most common side effects — swelling, redness and bruising — are temporary and expected. More rarely, clients may experience small lumps at injection sites, which typically resolve on their own within a few days to weeks.

As with any injectable treatment, the most meaningful risk mitigation comes from choosing a clinician with the right training and clinical background. At Revitalise, both doctors bring years of emergency medicine experience to every treatment. We understand tissue anatomy, we recognise complications early and we carry the equipment and expertise to manage them. This is the standard you should expect — and demand — from any practitioner you consider.

How to Find the Right PRP Provider in Liverpool

PRP is a medical procedure. It involves drawing blood, processing it in clinical equipment and administering injections — yet in the UK it can currently be offered by practitioners with no medical training. This is a serious concern and one that every patient should be aware of.

When choosing a PRP provider, the questions matter:

At Revitalise Aesthetics, Dr Amy and Dr Misha are both GMC registered doctors. We use medical-grade equipment. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation for every prospective patient. And we will always be honest with you — including if we believe a different treatment might serve your goals better than PRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PRP therapy?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. A small blood sample is drawn, processed in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets and growth factors, then injected into the treatment area to stimulate collagen production, tissue repair and cellular regeneration — using your body's own healing mechanisms.
Is PRP safe?
Yes — because PRP uses your own blood, the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is extremely low. The most common side effects are temporary swelling, redness and bruising. Choosing a GMC registered doctor significantly reduces the risk of complications.
How many PRP sessions do I need?
Most clients benefit from a course of three sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart. Maintenance sessions every six to twelve months are recommended thereafter. The exact number depends on your individual concerns, which your doctor will discuss during your free consultation.
When will I see results from PRP?
Initial improvements in skin hydration and radiance are typically visible within two to four weeks of your first session. More significant changes in texture, firmness and tone develop over three to six months as collagen production increases. Hair restoration results typically become visible at six to eight weeks.
Does PRP hurt?
A topical numbing cream is applied before treatment. Most clients describe the sensation as mild pressure or slight stinging during the injections. The blood draw is comparable to a routine blood test. Post-treatment tenderness typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours.
How much does PRP cost at Revitalise Aesthetics?
Our PRP treatments start from £300 per session, with courses of three available from £750. Pricing is discussed in full during your free consultation. We recommend a course for optimal results.
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Dr Amy
GMC Registered Doctor · Medical Aesthetics & A&E Doctor · Revitalise Aesthetics Liverpool · Specialist Interest: Skin Rejuvenation

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