PRP Aftercare and Recovery Guide London 2026: The Complete Doctor-Led Post-Treatment Pathway

By the medical team at The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness. Last reviewed April 2026. GMC-registered doctors. Marylebone (2 minutes from Baker Street).

At a glance

PRP outcomes depend not just on the injection itself but on the structured aftercare pathway that follows. The patient who follows the evidence-based aftercare protocol consistently achieves better density improvement, faster recovery, and longer-lasting results compared with the patient who returns to normal activity immediately and ignores post-procedure guidance. At The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness, every PRP treatment includes structured written aftercare, a follow-up review at week 4, and access to the medical team via WhatsApp throughout the recovery period for any concerns. The aftercare protocol differs by indication: PRP hair has different recovery rules than PRP facial, which differs from PRP under-eye, which differs from PRP joint or tendon injection. This comprehensive guide covers the structured aftercare for all major PRP indications and explains the evidence behind each recommendation. Whether you are scheduled for treatment with us, recently treated with us, or had PRP elsewhere and need post-treatment guidance, this is the complete recovery roadmap.

The reason aftercare matters so much for PRP is that the regenerative biology unfolds over weeks rather than days. The growth factors released by the platelets activate inflammatory and regenerative pathways that respond to what you do (and do not do) in the days and weeks following injection. Specific behaviours including NSAID use, alcohol, vigorous exercise, sun exposure, and certain skincare products can blunt or amplify the regenerative response. The aftercare protocol is not arbitrary. It reflects the published clinical evidence on what optimises and what compromises PRP outcomes. Following the protocol matters.

Message us on WhatsApp with any aftercare questions

Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com

Phone: 020 3951 3429

What happens immediately after PRP injection?

The biology of the immediate post-injection period is consistent across all PRP indications. Within minutes of injection, the platelets are activated by contact with collagen at the injection site, releasing the growth factor cargo (PDGF, TGF-beta, VEGF, IGF, EGF, FGF, KGF) into the surrounding tissue. The growth factors initiate an inflammatory cascade that recruits white blood cells, activates resident stem cells, increases local microcirculation, and triggers the regenerative response.

This inflammatory response is what produces the immediate post-procedure symptoms: mild redness, swelling, tenderness, and warmth at the treatment site. These symptoms are not unwanted side effects to be suppressed. They are the regenerative biology doing its job. Suppressing them with anti-inflammatory medication blunts the regenerative response.

Universal immediate aftercare across all PRP indications:

Hour 1-4. Mild discomfort and redness peak. Patients can typically return home immediately and resume light activities. Avoid touching, rubbing, or applying pressure to the treatment area.

Hour 4-24. Initial swelling and inflammation continue. Mild discomfort. Tylenol/paracetamol acceptable for pain. Apply cold compress only if explicitly advised; otherwise let the natural inflammation proceed.

Day 1-2. Moderate redness and inflammation. Treatment area may feel warm and tender. Patients can return to normal daily activity but avoid vigorous exercise and the specific contraindications for the indication treated.

Day 3-5. Inflammatory response begins to settle. Treatment area appears closer to normal. Mild residual tenderness possible.

Day 5-7. Most acute post-procedure symptoms resolved. The deeper regenerative response is now ongoing biologically, not visible to the patient.

What should I avoid after PRP for any indication?

Five universal avoidances apply across all PRP indications.

Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, aspirin) for 7-14 days post-injection. The published evidence is clear: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs blunt the regenerative inflammatory response that drives the PRP effect. Patients who require pain relief should use paracetamol or codeine instead. This is the most important universal aftercare instruction. The 2023 review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine confirms NSAIDs reduce PRP efficacy across all indications studied.

Avoid corticosteroid medication (oral or injected) for 4-6 weeks before and after PRP. Steroids suppress the inflammatory response that PRP relies on. If you require corticosteroids for medical reasons, discuss with your treating doctor before proceeding with PRP.

Avoid alcohol for 24 hours immediately post-procedure. Alcohol affects platelet function and promotes inflammation in counterproductive ways. Light alcohol consumption can resume after 24 hours; heavy consumption should be avoided for 7 days to optimise the regenerative response.

Avoid blood-thinning medications (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran) where clinically possible. The structured pre-procedure assessment identifies patients on these medications and discusses appropriate timing. Aspirin for cardiovascular protection should be discussed with your prescribing doctor before pausing.

Avoid smoking. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and reduces tissue oxygenation, both of which compromise the regenerative response. The patient who continues smoking through PRP treatment achieves measurably worse outcomes than the patient who pauses or quits.

What is the aftercare for PRP hair specifically?

The scalp-specific protocol following PRP hair injection.

First 24 hours. Do not wash the hair. Avoid touching or scratching the scalp. The injection sites need time to seal and the growth factors need time to bind to local tissue without disturbance. Mild itching may occur and is normal.

Day 1 to day 3. Wash hair gently with mild shampoo on day 2 if essential, or preferably wait until day 3. Avoid vigorous massage, brushing, or styling that pulls the hair. Avoid blow-drying with high heat. Avoid hair dye, perms, chemical treatments, and bleaching for 7 days minimum.

Day 1 to day 7. Avoid swimming pools (chlorine), sea swimming, sauna, steam room, and hot baths. Avoid sun exposure to the scalp; wear a hat outdoors. Avoid hair extensions, weaves, or tight hairstyles that apply traction.

Week 2 onwards. Resume normal hair care routine. Topical minoxidil can be reintroduced from day 5 if it was paused for the procedure. Hair styling products can be used normally.

Weeks 4 to 12. The regenerative response is unfolding. Reduced shedding becomes apparent at week 4-8. New hair emergence at week 6-12. Maintain the structured supplementation programme (Viviscal Professional or alternative) and any prescribed medications (topical or oral minoxidil, finasteride for men).

What to expect with shedding. Some patients experience temporary increased shedding at week 2-4 post-PRP. This is the synchronised cycling effect: PRP shifts dormant follicles into anagen, and the existing hair shafts in those follicles shed before the new anagen growth becomes visible. Shedding lasting 2-4 weeks then resolving with new growth is a positive sign of treatment response.

Universal red flags requiring contact with our medical team. Severe persistent pain beyond 48 hours. Discharge or pus from injection sites. Spreading redness or significant swelling. Fever above 38°C. Any sudden visual changes following peri-orbital procedures. Contact us immediately via WhatsApp with any of these symptoms.

What is the aftercare for PRP facial and microneedling specifically?

The facial-specific protocol following PRP facial, microneedling, or combined treatments.

First 24 hours. Do not wash the face. Do not apply makeup. Do not apply skincare products other than what your doctor provides. The skin barrier has been intentionally disrupted by microneedling to allow PRP and other regenerative substances to penetrate; allow the skin to begin barrier recovery undisturbed.

Day 1 evening to day 3. Gentle cleansing with mild fragrance-free cleanser only. Apply mineral SPF 50 if going outdoors (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide based, not chemical sunscreens). Do not apply makeup until skin is fully calm (typically day 2-3 for most patients). Do not use retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C serums, or any active skincare ingredients for 5-7 days.

Day 1 to day 7. Avoid direct sun exposure (mineral SPF essential, hat or shade where possible). Avoid swimming pools, sea swimming, sauna, steam room, and hot yoga. Avoid heavy exercise that produces significant sweating for 48 hours. Avoid alcohol-based skincare and toners for 5-7 days. Avoid facial massage, facial waxing, and facial threading for 7 days.

Day 7 to day 14. Resume normal skincare routine including active ingredients (retinoids, vitamin C, acids) cautiously after 7 days. Resume normal exercise and activity. Continue mineral SPF protection (essential for at least 2 weeks post-procedure to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation).

What to expect with the skin response. Mild redness for 24-48 hours similar to mild sunburn. Mild swelling for 12-24 hours. Pinpoint bleeding at microneedling sites for 4-6 hours. Mild skin tightness and dryness for 2-3 days. Slight peeling at day 3-5 in some patients (this is the controlled skin turnover that PRP plus microneedling produces; do not pick or peel manually). Skin glow at day 5-7 as the regenerative response delivers visible improvement.

For darker skin types (Fitzpatrick V-VI). Strict mineral SPF protection is critical to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Avoid sun exposure to the treated area for 2-4 weeks. Use cosmetics that are non-comedogenic and free from irritating fragrances.

What is the aftercare for PRP under-eye specifically?

The periorbital-specific protocol.

First 24 hours. Avoid touching, rubbing, or applying pressure to the under-eye area. Avoid eye makeup. Avoid eye cream and skincare products in the periorbital zone. Sleep with head elevated on 2 pillows to reduce swelling. Apply cold compress (gel pack wrapped in cloth) for 10 minutes 3-4 times in the first 24 hours to minimise bruising.

Day 1 to day 3. Continue head elevation at night. Continue cold compress as needed. Resume gentle eye area cleansing on day 2. Mineral SPF only on the under-eye area for 5 days. No eye makeup until visible recovery (typically day 3-5).

Day 1 to day 7. Avoid swimming pools, sea swimming, sauna, steam room. Avoid eye rubbing. Avoid contact lens wear if uncomfortable for first 24-48 hours. Resume contact lens wear from day 2 if comfortable. Avoid retinol-containing eye creams for 7 days.

Day 7 to day 14. Resume normal eye care routine. Resume normal eye makeup. Continue mineral SPF protection.

What to expect with bruising. Bruising occurs in 30-50% of under-eye PRP patients because the periorbital area is highly vascular. Bruising typically appears as small purple-blue marks at injection sites, develops over 24-48 hours, and resolves over 5-10 days. Arnica supplementation and topical arnica can reduce bruising duration. We recommend booking under-eye PRP at least 14 days before any photographic event because of the bruising risk.

What to expect with swelling. Mild swelling persisting for 12-72 hours is normal. The swelling may give the appearance of fuller under-eye area initially, which then resolves as the regenerative response unfolds. The genuine improvement in under-eye area becomes apparent at week 4-12 as collagen synthesis produces dermal thickening.

What is the aftercare for PRP joint and tendon specifically?

The musculoskeletal-specific protocol.

First 48 hours. Strict rest of the treated joint or tendon. Avoid weight-bearing exercise on lower limb injections. Avoid lifting and grip activities for upper limb injections. Use crutches if needed for lower limb (especially knee, ankle, plantar fascia injections). Mild post-injection pain and stiffness are normal and expected; this is the inflammatory response that drives the regenerative effect.

Day 3 to day 7. Gentle range-of-motion exercises within pain limits. Light walking acceptable. No running, jumping, lifting, or sport-specific training. Apply ice for 15 minutes every 2-3 hours if pain or swelling significant (for joints; ice generally not advised for tendons in this period).

Week 2 onwards. Begin structured rehabilitation programme as guided by your doctor and physiotherapist. Indication-specific protocols include eccentric loading exercises for tendon indications, range-of-motion restoration for joint indications, and progressive strengthening.

Week 2 to week 6. Graduated return to activity. Progressive loading of the treated structure. No high-impact loading until week 4-6 minimum. No return to competitive sport until week 6-8 minimum (sometimes longer for specific indications).

Week 6 onwards. Full activity resumption depending on response. The 4-week and 8-week reviews assess progress and guide return-to-sport decisions.

What to expect with pain timeline. The 24-48 hour post-injection pain is normal and reflects the regenerative inflammation. Pain typically returns to or below baseline by day 5. By week 2, pain should be improving from baseline. By week 4, measurable improvement on validated pain scales. By week 8, peak response begins. By week 12, peak benefit typically achieved.

Critical avoidance for joint and tendon. NSAIDs are particularly important to avoid for orthopaedic PRP because the inflammatory response drives tendon and cartilage regeneration. Patients who use NSAIDs in the first 7-14 days post-injection consistently achieve worse outcomes in the published clinical trials.

WhatsApp the team with any post-procedure concerns

What should I do to optimise my PRP results?

Five evidence-based actions optimise PRP outcomes across all indications.

Action one: protein optimisation. Adequate protein intake supports the regenerative response. Target 1.2-1.6g per kg of body weight daily. Distribute across 3-4 meals. Quality protein sources include lean meat, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, and nuts. Protein supplementation may be appropriate where dietary intake is inadequate.

Action two: vitamin and mineral status optimisation. Vitamin D above 50 ng/mL (125 nmol/L) supports follicle and tissue function. Iron status (ferritin above 70 mcg/L) optimises hair regenerative response. Vitamin B12 and folate sufficiency. Zinc adequacy. The structured supplementation programme through The Online GP by The Wellness pharmacy partner addresses any deficiencies identified at consultation.

Action three: hydration and dietary pattern. Adequate hydration (2-3L daily for most adults). Mediterranean dietary pattern with omega-3-rich fish, olive oil, vegetables, and nuts supports the regenerative response. Reduce processed food, ultra-processed food, and refined sugar.

Action four: stress and sleep optimisation. Chronic stress and sleep deprivation elevate cortisol, which suppresses regenerative responses across all tissues. Aim for 7-9 hours quality sleep nightly. Structured stress management (mindfulness, exercise, social connection) supports the regenerative response.

Action five: structured exercise. Moderate aerobic activity (150 minutes weekly) plus resistance training supports overall tissue regeneration. Avoid high-intensity exercise in the first 48 hours post-procedure but resume normal activity afterward.

When should I follow up?

The structured follow-up pathway differs by indication.

PRP hair: week 4 review with photographic comparison, weeks 8 and 12 review during the course of three sessions, then 6-monthly maintenance reviews.

PRP facial and microneedling: week 4 review with photographic comparison, weeks 8 and 12 review during the course of three sessions, then 6-monthly reviews.

PRP under-eye: week 4 review, weeks 8 and 12 review during the course of three sessions, then 6-monthly reviews.

PRP joint and tendon: week 4 review with pain and function scoring, week 8 review for second-session decision, week 12 review for peak response assessment, then 6-monthly maintenance reviews.

ExoRevive and combined regenerative protocols: same review schedule as PRP, with adjusted assessment of combined regenerative response.

When should I contact the medical team urgently?

Universal red flags requiring immediate WhatsApp or phone contact:

Severe persistent pain beyond 48 hours that is not improving with paracetamol.

Discharge, pus, or unusual fluid from injection sites.

Spreading redness extending beyond the treatment area.

Significant swelling that is increasing rather than decreasing after 48 hours.

Fever above 38°C.

Sudden visual changes following peri-orbital procedures.

Numbness or weakness following musculoskeletal injection.

Severe allergic reaction signs (rash, breathing difficulty, facial swelling).

Any concern that does not feel right.

WhatsApp: Message us immediately

Phone: 020 3951 3429

In emergencies outside clinic hours: A&E 999.

Frequently asked questions

How long until I can wash my hair after PRP? 24 hours minimum. Day 3 preferred for the regenerative response to consolidate.

When can I exercise after PRP? Light activity from day 1. Avoid vigorous exercise for 48 hours. Avoid high-impact loading of treated joints/tendons for 4-6 weeks. Resume gradually based on indication-specific guidance.

When can I drink alcohol after PRP? Avoid for 24 hours after any PRP. Light alcohol acceptable from day 2. Avoid heavy alcohol consumption for 7 days for optimal results.

When can I have a sauna or steam room after PRP? Avoid for 48-72 hours minimum. Resume gradually after 1 week.

Can I take ibuprofen for pain? No. NSAIDs blunt the PRP regenerative response. Use paracetamol for pain. Codeine is acceptable if paracetamol is insufficient. Avoid NSAIDs for 7-14 days post-injection.

How long should I avoid sun on my face after PRP facial? At least 7 days direct sun exposure avoidance. Mineral SPF essential for 2-4 weeks. Sun protection for life is the right approach for skin health.

When can I have makeup on my face after PRP facial? 24 hours minimum. Day 2-3 preferred. Use clean brushes and non-comedogenic products.

When can I shave after PRP beard? 24 hours minimum. Wet shaving preferred for first week. Avoid dry electric shaving for 5-7 days.

What if I bruise badly under my eyes? Bruising is normal and resolves over 5-10 days. Sleep with head elevated. Apply cold compress in first 24 hours. Topical arnica can help. Avoid blood thinners (NSAIDs, alcohol) which worsen bruising.

How long until I see results? Indication-specific. Hair: reduced shedding from week 4-8, density improvement from week 12-16, peak response after course of three at 6 months. Facial: glow from week 1, density from week 4-12, peak after course of three at 6 months. Under-eye: density and dark circle improvement from week 4-12, peak after course of three at 6 months. Joint: pain reduction from week 4-8, peak response at week 12.

What if I don't see results? Our 13% non-responder rate is identified at the structured review. We will assess the contributing factors and recommend the appropriate next step including additional sessions, alternative protocols (ExoRevive, polynucleotides), addressing systemic factors, or specialist referral.

Can I have multiple PRP treatments at the same session? Yes. Combined treatments (scalp plus facial, scalp plus beard, multi-zone facial) are common and we coordinate the protocol to optimise outcomes for combined indications.

Does private medical insurance cover PRP aftercare? Generally not separately; the aftercare is included in the treatment package at The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness. We provide structured invoicing for the treatment itself.

How does The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness aftercare compare with other London clinics? We provide structured written aftercare for every patient, follow-up review at week 4 included in the treatment package, ongoing access via WhatsApp throughout the recovery period, and longitudinal partnership across multiple treatments and years. Many clinics provide minimal aftercare guidance and limited follow-up.

Why aftercare matters at The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness

The published clinical evidence is consistent: structured aftercare improves PRP outcomes across all indications. The patient who follows the protocol achieves better density improvement, faster recovery, and longer-lasting results. The patient who returns to vigorous exercise immediately, takes NSAIDs for the post-procedure pain, exposes the treatment area to sun without protection, and fails to optimise nutrition consistently achieves measurably worse outcomes.

The aftercare protocol is not arbitrary. It reflects the regenerative biology and the published evidence. Following it matters.

Why The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness is the best choice for comprehensive PRP aftercare in London 2026

GMC-registered doctors deliver every treatment with structured written aftercare provided to every patient. Follow-up review at week 4 included in the treatment package. Ongoing access via WhatsApp throughout the recovery period for any questions or concerns. Longitudinal partnership across the full treatment course and beyond. Integrated nutritional and supplementation pathway through The Online GP by The Wellness pharmacy partner. Marylebone location 2 minutes from Baker Street. Multilingual care in English, Arabic, Spanish, French, and Dutch.

For patients in London or visiting London who want their PRP treatment delivered with the structured aftercare that drives the strongest evidence-based outcomes, The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness is the answer. We do not compete on price. We compete on outcomes.

Book your consultation today

Message us on WhatsApp for fastest response

Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com

Phone: 020 3951 3429

In-person: The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness, Marylebone (2 minutes from Baker Street).

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm.