Microneedling With PRP: Benefits, Side Effects, And More

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Medical News TodaySubscribeEverything you need to know about microneedling with PRP

Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D. — Written by Beth Sissons on December 23, 2019

What it is
Benefits
Side effects
Risks

Microneedling with plasma-rich platelets (PRP) uses part of the blood from the person having the procedure to rejuvenate the skin.

Microneedling is a cosmetic treatment that uses a roller with fine needles to prick the skin. This device stimulates extra collagen production, which can help heal scars and reduce signs of aging.

In this article, learn more about the procedure, including its benefits and the possible risks.

What is microneedling with PRP?

a woman receiving a Microneedling treatment with PRP — Microneedling may be more effective with the addition of PRP.

Microneedling with PRP is a cosmetic treatment that stimulates collagen production by rolling fine needles over the skin and applying platelets, which are one of the components of blood.

The addition of PRP from the blood may make microneedling more effective. The liquid in blood is plasma, while platelets are solid. Platelets help blood clot, so they are vital for healing wounds and injuries. PRP is plasma in which the concentration of platelets is higher than that of other components of the blood.

A practitioner will take a blood sample and then use a spinning tool called a centrifuge to separate the PRP from the rest of the blood.

PRP contains proteins, including growth factors and cytokines. These proteins help skin tissue repair itself.

First, a practitioner will use a microneedling tool to prick the skin, making tiny holes in the skin’s surface. They will then apply PRP to these tiny holes to encourage collagen production and cell reproduction.

Benefits

People may consider having microneedling with PRP if they want to treat certain marks or blemishes on the body or face for cosmetic reasons. Practitioners may use microneedling with PRP to treat:

acne scars
surgical scars
wrinkles and fine lines
hyperpigmentation
sun damage
large pores
uneven skin texture

The addition of PRP to microneedling may speed up the healing process and stimulate skin renewal, potentially producing better results than microneedling alone.

The authors of a 2016 study looked at the benefits of adding PRP to microneedling for acne scars.

In a trial of 50 people with acne scars, microneedling with distilled water led to a 45.84% improvement in acne scars. Microneedling with PRP improved acne scars by 62.20%. None of the participants reported any lasting side effects from the treatment.

According to a 2019 review of PRP microneedling for acne scars, various studies showed that the addition of PRP to microneedling:

improved acne scarring
provided higher patient satisfaction
decreased the amount of downtime that people needed after the procedure

Researchers still need further evidence to confirm these findings, however.

The number of treatments that a person receives will vary. People may need repeat treatments to see results from microneedling with PRP. Larger scars or burns may take longer to respond to treatment.

If people are receiving PRP microneedling treatment for signs of aging skin, they may wish to have repeat treatments.

Microneedling with PRP can also take a few weeks to show results, as the body takes time to produce collagen. As a result, people can expect to keep seeing improvements in their skin in the weeks following their treatment.

People with acne scars may notice a gradual improvement in the skin in less than 9 months.

People usually respond well to microneedling treatments and require only minimal recovery time. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, microneedling “is safe for all skin colors.”

Side effects

Recovery from microneedling is usually quick. People may experience some soreness and tenderness immediately after the treatment. The area may also have redness, and there may be some mild bruising, which usually clears within 4–5 days.

Other side effects can happen while the skin heals, including:

oozing
swelling
milia, which are white papules in the skin
a mild flare-up of acne

Taking acetaminophen can help relieve any discomfort or painful side effects.

Risks

Microneedling creates small holes in the surface of the skin. In rare cases, this can introduce bacteria into the skin and cause an infection. In some cases, it may cause cold sores from the herpes simplex virus.

PRP treatment is usually safe, however, because it uses the person’s own blood for the procedure. People should follow the aftercare instructions that their practitioner provides to reduce the risk of any complications.

If people experience any severe pain or side effects after treatment, they should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Microneedling with PRP may not be suitable during pregnancy or for people with certain conditions or other risk factors, including those who have:

used or are using isotretinoin to treat acne
active acne
skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea
a history of scarring or bruising easily
a platelet or blood disorder
had major surgery within the last 6 months
HIV
a chronic illness
an infection on the face, such as herpes

If people fall into any of these categories, they should consult with their doctor about the safety of microneedling with PRP treatment.

People can also lower their risk of side effects or complications from microneedling with PRP by seeing a board certified dermatologist.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommend that people consider the following points before undergoing a cosmetic procedure:

find out how regularly a practitioner performs the desired procedure
ask to see before and after photos of people whom the dermatologist has treated
find out what qualifications and experience a dermatologist has
check that they are board certified
discuss the likely results of the procedure

Microneedling with PRP may be more costly than microneedling alone, and some people may have good results with just regular microneedling treatment.

People can discuss potential treatment options with their dermatologist to find the treatment that best suits them.

Blood / Hematology
Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Acne scars: Diagnosis and treatment. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/diseases/acne/acne-scars-treatment
Asif, M., et al. (2016). Combined autologous platelet‐rich plasma with microneedling verses microneedling with distilled water in the treatment of atrophic acne scars: A concurrent split‐face study.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocd.12207
Hesseler, M. J. (2019). Platelet-rich plasma and its utility in the treatment of acne scars: A systematic review [Abstract].https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(18)32955-4/fulltext
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP). (2011).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/platelet-rich-plasma-prp
Ranaweera, A. (2018). Skin needling.https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/skin-needling/
Who should provide your cosmetic treatment? (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/cosmetic/safety/who-should-provide

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Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D. — Written by Beth Sissons on December 23, 2019

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