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Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Does This Sound Like You?

Are you dealing with chronic joint pain, tendon injuries, or osteoarthritis that hasn’t responded well to conventional treatments?

Have you noticed your hair thinning progressively, and you’re looking for a natural way to stimulate regrowth without daily medications?

Are you frustrated by signs of aging–fine lines, volume loss, dull skin texture–and want to rejuvenate your appearance without synthetic fillers or invasive surgery?

Do you prefer treatments that work with your body’s natural healing processes rather than relying on pharmaceuticals?
Are you an athlete or active individual seeking faster recovery from sports injuries or wanting to optimize performance and longevity?

If any of these resonate, PRP therapy may offer a natural, effective solution tailored to your needs.

What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?

Platelet-rich plasma is exactly what it sounds like: plasma (the liquid component of your blood) that has been enriched with a higher-than-normal concentration of platelets. Platelets are best known for their role in blood clotting, but they also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors that are crucial for tissue repair and regeneration.

To create PRP, a small sample of your blood is drawn–similar to a routine blood test–and placed in a centrifuge. This device spins the blood at high speed, separating the platelets and plasma from red blood cells and other components.

The result is a concentrated solution containing 3 to 5 times the normal concentration of platelets, packed with growth factors ready to accelerate healing.

When injected into damaged tissue, PRP amplifies your body’s natural repair processes. The concentrated growth factors stimulate cell proliferation, collagen production, new blood vessel formation, and tissue regeneration–all essential components of healing.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

The Science Behind PRP: How It Works

The mechanism behind PRP lies in the growth factors released by platelets. When platelets are activated, they release a cascade of biologically active proteins that orchestrate the healing process.

Key growth factors include platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF).

These growth factors work together to recruit stem cells to the injury site, stimulate the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), promote collagen synthesis, reduce inflammation, and accelerate tissue regeneration. The result is enhanced healing in areas where the body’s natural repair mechanisms may be insufficient or slow.

Because PRP is derived from your own blood, it’s autologous–meaning there’s virtually no risk of allergic reaction, rejection, or disease transmission. This makes PRP one of the safest regenerative therapies available.

Orthopedic & Musculoskeletal Conditions

PRP therapy has the strongest evidence base in orthopedic medicine. Current research provides Level I evidence supporting its efficacy in treating osteoarthritis (particularly of the knee), lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and various muscular injuries.

For osteoarthritis, PRP injections help modulate the joint environment and reduce inflammation, providing relief from pain and stiffness. Studies show that PRP may slow disease progression and improve joint function in patients who haven’t responded adequately to conventional treatments like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or corticosteroid injections.

For tendon injuries, PRP accelerates healing by stimulating the regenerative processes that tendons need–which is particularly valuable because tendons have limited blood supply and heal slowly on their own. Research shows PRP provides superior mid-term outcomes compared to corticosteroids for conditions like De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and tennis elbow.

Hair Restoration

PRP has emerged as a promising non-surgical treatment for androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) in both men and women. Multiple meta-analyses confirm its effectiveness: one analysis of six studies found a significant increase of approximately 18 hairs per cm² after PRP treatment compared to placebo.

The growth factors in PRP stimulate inactive or dormant hair follicles into an active growth phase, increase blood supply to the hair follicle, and prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle. Clinical studies show improvements in both hair density and hair thickness, with 84% of studies reporting positive effects.

For hair restoration, PRP is typically administered in a series of 3 treatments at monthly intervals, followed by maintenance treatments 2-3 times per year. One study of 100 patients showed a 30% increase in hair density at 3 months following treatment.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Facial Rejuvenation & Skin Health

In aesthetic medicine, PRP is used for facial rejuvenation, scar treatment, and overall skin quality improvement. Studies consistently report improvements in skin texture, tone, and volume, as well as reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.

The “vampire facial”–PRP combined with microneedling–has gained popularity for its ability to stimulate collagen production and improve skin appearance naturally. Research shows significant improvements in periorbital dark circles (up to 74% improvement) and periorbital wrinkles (up to 78% patient-reported improvement) following PRP treatment.

PRP is also used to enhance outcomes in fat grafting procedures, minimize acne scarring, and improve healing after cosmetic procedures. Controlled studies suggest that 2-4 sessions of PRP combined with other treatments can help minimize scarring, improve aesthetic results, and decrease recovery time.

Sexual Health & Wellness

Emerging applications of PRP include sexual wellness treatments. For women, PRP injections (sometimes called the “O-Shot”) are used to enhance vaginal sensitivity, improve lubrication, and address certain aspects of sexual dysfunction. For men, PRP may be used to support erectile function and penile health.

While research in these areas is still evolving, early clinical evidence suggests PRP can support tissue rejuvenation and function in intimate areas, complementing other approaches to sexual health optimization.

What to Expect During PRP Treatment

PRP therapy is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that typically takes 30-60 minutes from start to finish.

Consultation: Before treatment, we discuss your medical history, goals, and whether PRP is appropriate for your specific condition.

Blood Draw: A small amount of blood (typically 15-60 mL depending on the application) is drawn from your arm–similar to a routine blood test.

Processing: Your blood is placed in a centrifuge and spun to separate and concentrate the platelets. This takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

Preparation: The treatment area may be numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort.

Injection: The concentrated PRP is carefully injected into the target area. For joint injections, ultrasound guidance may be used to ensure precise placement.

Recovery: Most patients can resume normal activities within 24-48 hours. Some tenderness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site is normal and typically resolves within a few days.

Results and Timeline

PRP works by stimulating your body’s natural healing processes, which means results develop gradually over weeks to months. For joint injections, improvements typically become noticeable within 4-6 weeks, with continued improvement over 3-6 months.

For hair restoration, new growth often becomes visible around 3-6 months after treatment. For skin rejuvenation, improvements in texture and tone may be noticed within weeks, with collagen remodeling continuing for several months.

Results are not permanent. Depending on the condition being treated and individual response, maintenance treatments may be recommended. For joint conditions, some patients benefit from repeat injections at 6-12 month intervals. For hair restoration, maintenance treatments 2-3 times per year help sustain results.

Our Approach to PRP at Halo Concierge Health

At Halo Concierge Health, PRP therapy is part of our comprehensive approach to regenerative medicine. We don’t view PRP as a standalone treatment but as one tool in a broader strategy to optimize your health and address underlying factors contributing to your condition.

Comprehensive Evaluation: Before recommending PRP, we assess your overall health, review your medical history, and determine whether PRP is the right approach for your specific situation. Some conditions may benefit more from other interventions, and we’ll be honest about what we expect PRP can and cannot achieve.

Quality Preparation: The effectiveness of PRP depends significantly on preparation technique. We use validated protocols to ensure optimal platelet concentration and viability.

Integrative Support: For optimal results, we address factors that support or hinder healing–including nutrition, inflammation, hormone balance, and lifestyle factors. PRP works best when your body has the raw materials and environment it needs to heal.

Realistic Expectations: We believe in transparency about what PRP can achieve. While many patients experience significant benefits, results vary, and PRP may not be appropriate for everyone or every condition.

Safety

PRP is considered one of the safest regenerative therapies available because it uses your own blood–there’s virtually no risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission. Common side effects include mild pain, swelling, and bruising at the injection site, which typically resolve within a few days.

Rare complications include infection (as with any injection), nerve injury, and tissue damage. We review your complete medical history before treatment and discuss any specific risks based on your individual situation. If you experience significant pain, fever, or signs of infection after treatment, contact us immediately.

FAQs

How many PRP treatments will I need?

This depends on the condition being treated and your individual response. For joint conditions, some patients experience relief after a single injection, while others benefit from a series of 2-3 treatments. For hair restoration, a typical protocol involves 3 treatments at monthly intervals followed by maintenance treatments 2-3 times per year. We’ll develop a personalized treatment plan based on your goals and response.

Is PRP painful?

Most patients tolerate PRP well. The blood draw is similar to a routine lab test. For the injection, we use local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. You may feel pressure during the injection and some soreness afterward, but significant pain is uncommon. Scalp injections for hair restoration can be more sensitive, but topical numbing cream is applied beforehand to minimize discomfort.

How long do PRP results last?

Results vary by condition and individual. For joint injections, benefits typically last 6-12 months, though some patients experience longer-lasting relief. For hair restoration, ongoing maintenance treatments are needed to sustain results. For skin rejuvenation, the collagen stimulation and tissue regeneration can provide lasting improvements, but the natural aging process continues, so periodic maintenance may be desired.

Is PRP covered by insurance?

PRP is generally not covered by insurance for most indications, as it’s often considered investigational or elective depending on the application. We’ll provide transparent pricing during your call so you can make an informed decision.

Who is not a good candidate for PRP?

PRP may not be appropriate for individuals with blood disorders, platelet dysfunction, active infections, certain cancers, or those taking blood thinners. We’ll review your medical history thoroughly to determine if PRP is safe and appropriate for you.

Do you offer telehealth calls?

Yes. We offer telehealth calls for initial evaluation and follow-up visits. The PRP procedure itself requires an in-person visit, but we can discuss your candidacy and goals remotely before scheduling treatment.

Sources & Citations

Related Pages

Medically Reviewed By: Halo Concierge Health

Last Updated: June 9, 2026

AREAS SERVED

Halo Concierge Health is located in Raleigh, NC and serves practice members throughout North Carolina and Virginia. These areas include but are not limited to Raleigh, Wake Forest, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Clayton, Rolesville, Zebulon, and Mebane with options for follow-up telemedicine appointments.

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