Is PRP Safe? Side Effects, Risks, and What You Need to Know
You have heard PRP can help your hair, skin, or joints. The results sound promising. But injecting something into your body raises understandable questions.
Is PRP actually safe? What are the real risks? What side effects should you expect?
Here is honest, transparent information to help you decide.
Why PRP Is Considered Safe
The fundamental safety advantage of PRP is simple. It comes from you.
Your blood is drawn, processed to concentrate platelets, and injected back into your own body. There is no foreign substance being introduced. No synthetic chemicals. No donor tissue.
This autologous nature eliminates the most serious risks associated with many medical treatments. There is no possibility of allergic reaction to the PRP itself. No risk of disease transmission. No chance of rejection.
Your body recognises PRP as self because it is self.
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Common Side Effects
Most PRP side effects are mild and temporary. They relate to the injection process rather than the PRP itself.
Pain at injection site: Some discomfort during and immediately after injection is normal. This typically resolves within hours to days. Pain medication is rarely needed.
Swelling: Mild swelling at the treatment area is common, particularly with joint injections. This usually peaks at 24-48 hours and resolves over several days.
Bruising: Some bruising may occur, especially with facial treatments or joint injections. This resolves naturally over one to two weeks.
Redness: For facial PRP and scalp treatments, temporary redness is expected. This typically fades within one to three days.
Temporary increased pain: Particularly with joint injections, some patients experience increased discomfort for a few days before improvement begins. This likely reflects the inflammatory healing response being initiated.
These effects are normal parts of treatment and resolve without intervention.
Rare Complications
Serious complications from PRP are uncommon but possible.
Infection: Any injection carries theoretical infection risk. Sterile technique minimises this. Signs of infection include increasing redness, warmth, swelling, and fever. Seek medical attention if these occur.
Nerve damage: Extremely rare. Using proper anatomical knowledge and imaging guidance for deeper injections minimises this risk.
Scar tissue: Possible with repeated joint injections. Following appropriate treatment protocols reduces this risk.
No improvement: While not a complication per se, PRP does not work for everyone. Some patients see minimal benefit despite proper treatment.
Who Should Not Have PRP
Certain conditions make PRP inadvisable.
Active infection: Do not have PRP while fighting infection. Wait until fully recovered.
Blood disorders: Conditions affecting platelet function may make PRP ineffective or inadvisable.
Certain cancers: PRP stimulates cell growth. Discuss with your oncologist if you have current or recent cancer.
Blood thinning medications: May need to be paused before treatment. Discuss with your prescriber.
Pregnancy: Generally avoided as a precaution, though PRP is unlikely to be harmful.
These are discussed during consultation to ensure PRP is appropriate for you.
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How We Maximise Safety
Our approach prioritises your safety at every step.
Medical-grade equipment: We use advanced centrifuge systems designed specifically for PRP preparation. Consumer-grade systems produce inferior PRP.
Sterile technique: Every step from blood draw to injection follows strict sterile protocols.
Imaging guidance: For joint injections, ultrasound ensures accurate needle placement, reducing complications.
Proper patient selection: We assess whether PRP is appropriate for you before recommending treatment. Not everyone is a suitable candidate.
Realistic expectations: Honest discussion about what PRP can and cannot do prevents disappointment and unnecessary treatment.
Comparing PRP Safety to Alternatives
For hair loss, alternatives include medications with potential systemic side effects and surgery with operative risks.
For skin rejuvenation, alternatives include laser treatments with burn and pigmentation risks.
For joint pain, alternatives include steroid injections that may weaken tissue and surgery with significant recovery time.
PRP is generally among the safer options for each indication. Its primary limitation is not safety but whether it will be effective enough.
Questions to Ask Your Provider
When considering PRP anywhere, ask about their experience and training, what equipment they use, what protocols they follow, and how they handle complications.
Providers who cannot answer these questions clearly may not be the right choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PRP cause cancer? No evidence suggests PRP causes cancer. However, PRP stimulates cell growth, so it is generally avoided in people with active cancer.
Can I have PRP if I take blood thinners? Often yes, but this needs individual assessment. Some blood thinners may need to be paused. Discuss with your prescriber first.
What happens if I react badly to PRP? True allergic reaction is essentially impossible since PRP is from your own blood. If concerning symptoms develop after treatment, contact the clinic immediately.
Is PRP regulated? PRP is a medical procedure. It should only be performed by appropriately trained and registered practitioners. In the UK, clinics should meet CQC standards.
How do I know if my clinic is safe? Look for medical qualifications, transparent pricing, willingness to answer questions, and honest discussion of limitations.
Informed patients make better decisions.
