Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative treatment that uses a patient’s own biological material to promote healing. The therapy has gained popularity across various medical and aesthetic fields because it harnesses the body’s natural capacity for repair. This process involves isolating and concentrating specific components from a small sample of the patient’s blood. Reintroducing this concentrated mixture into an injured or aging area stimulates a localized regenerative response.
Defining Platelet-Rich Plasma
Platelet-Rich Plasma is an autologous blood product, meaning it is derived from the patient’s own body, which eliminates the risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission.
PRP refers to plasma, the liquid portion of blood, that contains a significantly higher concentration of platelets than is found in whole blood. While a normal platelet count ranges between 150,000 and 350,000 cells per microliter, a PRP preparation generally contains a concentration three to ten times greater than the baseline level.
Platelets are known for their role in blood clotting, but they also serve as a reservoir for regenerative compounds. Within each platelet are alpha-granules, which store and release a complex mixture of over 1,500 different proteins and bioactive factors upon activation. These substances include growth factors like Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). These signaling proteins are the primary mechanism by which PRP influences healing and regenerative processes.
How PRP is Prepared
Preparation begins with a standard venipuncture to draw a small volume of the patient’s whole blood, typically between 10 and 60 milliliters. This sample is collected into specialized tubes that contain an anticoagulant, such as acid citrate dextrose (ACD). The next step is differential centrifugation, which separates the blood components based on their different densities.
The blood sample is placed into a centrifuge, a machine that spins at high speeds, often involving a two-step process. The initial, or “soft,” spin separates the heavier red blood cells from the plasma, which contains the lighter platelets and white blood cells. The plasma layer, known as the supernatant, is then carefully transferred to a second tube for a “hard” spin at a higher speed. This second spin concentrates the platelets into a small pellet at the bottom of the tube, leaving a layer of platelet-poor plasma above it. The technician then harvests the concentrated platelet-rich plasma layer for use, creating the final product that is ready for injection.
Common Applications of PRP Therapy
PRP therapy is used in sports medicine and orthopedics to treat various musculoskeletal injuries. It is frequently used for chronic conditions like tendinopathy (painful degeneration of a tendon) and for ligament sprains. The concentrated plasma is injected directly into the affected joint, tendon, or ligament to stimulate the repair process in tissues with a limited blood supply. Patients with osteoarthritis, a condition involving cartilage breakdown, may also receive PRP injections to reduce pain and inflammation within the joint space.
Beyond injury treatment, PRP has found significant utility in aesthetic and dermatological applications. One of the most common cosmetic uses is for hair restoration, where the plasma is injected into the scalp to stimulate dormant hair follicles. This treatment is believed to increase hair thickness and density for individuals experiencing pattern baldness or thinning. In skin rejuvenation, PRP is often combined with procedures like microneedling, where the concentrated plasma is applied topically to the skin to encourage collagen production and improve skin texture and tone.
How PRP Works in the Body
Once concentrated Platelet-Rich Plasma is introduced into the target tissue, the platelets become activated and release their growth factors and signaling proteins. This surge of biological signals initiates a complex healing cascade at the injection site. The released factors, such as Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1), act as chemical messengers that recruit local reparative cells, including fibroblasts and stem cells, to the area.
The growth factors then stimulate these cells to proliferate and differentiate, leading to tissue regeneration. Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) and other proteins promote the synthesis of new extracellular matrix components, like collagen, which provides structural support to the repairing tissue. Factors like Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) encourage angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, which improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. By concentrating these natural biological signals, PRP amplifies the body’s intrinsic ability to heal and remodel damaged tissue.