Are there side effects with a facial rejuvenation treatment using platelet-rich plasma (PRP)?

With regard to platelet rich plasma treatments for the face, one of the questions we like to answer for our patients is would there be any possible side effects? One side effect is the procedure could be slightly uncomfortable. We use a very tiny gauge needle that injects the platelets at the exact depth required so that the discomfort that you feel during this series of injections is very minimal.

The only other real side effect to be aware of would be problems with bleeding or bruising. We certainly wouldn’t want you to be on a blood thinner while you’re doing this procedure. If you had the opportunity to stop taking your blood thinner about 48 hours before the procedure, that would dramatically reduce the risk of bleeding and bruising.

If you are not able to stop taking your blood thinner, it would be recommended that you not have this kind of procedure. The amount of bleeding or bruising that a person would have who is not on any blood thinner will be very trivial.

I have had the treatment done myself and I found that just on the outside corners of the eyes, I had a couple of little tiny red dots just after the procedure and they were gone by the next morning. You could consider any type of activities the day after your treatment, including social activities where you want to look your best. You might even find that the benefit from the treatment is apparent the very next day.