PRP Downtime London. Can I Go Back To Work After PRP

11 Oct

PRP downtime is short. Most people are back at a desk the same day or the next morning, and back to full normal life inside a week. There is no general anaesthetic, no stitches and no reason to clear your diary. This page explains what to expect after PRP at our Marylebone clinic, hour by hour and day by day, for hair, face and joint treatment.

If you are weighing up treatment and want advice for your own situation, you can Book a free 15-minute discovery call online, WhatsApp us on +44 7961 280835, email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.

Key points

Most people return to work the same day or the next morning
Desk work is fine straight away; physical jobs need 24 to 48 hours
Swelling peaks at 24 to 48 hours and settles within a few days
Avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen for a week
Light exercise restarts after 24 to 48 hours; heavy training after 3 to 7 days

How much downtime does PRP actually involve?

Most people return to normal daily life within 24 to 72 hours. A small amount of swelling, redness or tenderness at the injection sites is normal and usually settles over a few days.

The main things that decide your downtime are the area treated, how your body responds, and the kind of work you do. Someone having scalp PRP who works from home may notice almost nothing. Someone having knee PRP who is on their feet all day will want a quieter 48 hours.

Downtime by treatment area

Downtime depends slightly on the area treated.

Hair PRP: the scalp can feel tight or tender for a day or two. There is no visible sign of treatment once you leave, and most people go straight back to work.
Under-eye and face PRP: puffiness is common for 24 to 72 hours, and light bruising is possible. Concealer can usually be worn after 24 hours.
Joint and tendon PRP: the joint can feel full or stiff for 24 to 72 hours. Walking is fine. Deep squats, running and heavy lifting wait a few days.
Intimate-area PRP: most people resume normal daily activity the same day. We give specific aftercare for intimacy and exercise.

Back to work after PRP

The day of treatment, most people feel well enough to work. There is no sedation and no grogginess, and the appointment itself takes about an hour including the blood draw, preparation and injections.

Desk or laptop work: same day is realistic for most people
Meetings and video calls: same day for hair and joint PRP; for face PRP, allow 24 to 48 hours for any puffiness to settle
Physical or on-your-feet jobs: 24 to 48 hours for joints; hair PRP usually same or next day
Driving: you can drive yourself home after the appointment

If you are coming from outside London, many patients have treatment and travel home the same day.

Driving, flying and exercise

Driving is fine straight away for hair and face PRP, and for most joint PRP. If your knee or ankle has been treated and feels stiff, wait until you can brake comfortably.

Flying is also fine. There is no medical reason to avoid a flight after PRP. If you are flying long-haul after lower-limb treatment, move around during the flight as you normally would.

For exercise, a simple rule works well: nothing that raises your heart rate hard for 24 to 48 hours, then build back over the following days. Heavy lower-body training after knee or hip PRP waits 5 to 7 days.

Hair PRP aftercare in the first 48 hours

For the first few days:

Do not wash your hair for 24 hours
Avoid touching, rubbing or massaging the scalp for 48 hours
Skip hair products such as gel, wax, spray and dry shampoo for 48 hours
Wait 72 hours before swimming, saunas and steam rooms

Most hair treatment plans involve a course of sessions. Our current pricing is £450 per session or £1,215 for a course of three.

Can you take painkillers after PRP?

Paracetamol is fine if you need it.

Avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen for about a week. PRP works by creating a controlled inflammatory response that triggers repair, and anti-inflammatories can blunt that response.

If you need regular pain relief for another condition, ask us before your appointment and we will advise.

When to get in touch urgently

PRP uses your own blood, so allergic reactions are not expected and serious problems are rare. Contact us the same day if you notice increasing pain rather than easing pain after 48 hours, spreading redness, warmth or swelling around the area, fever or feeling generally unwell, or discharge from an injection site.

Call 020 3951 3429 during clinic hours or use WhatsApp for quick questions.

Questions about downtime before you book? WhatsApp us on +44 7961 280835, email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429. We are happy to talk it through.

What does PRP cost, and is downtime-free treatment worth it?

Nationally, some clinics charge well over £1,000 for a single PRP session, and hair transplant surgery is routinely quoted between £3,000 and £15,000 with weeks of recovery. PRP sits at the other end of both scales.

Our current prices:

Initial consultation: £59 by phone (15 minutes) or £150 by video
In-person consultation: £220
PRP for hair: £450 per session, or £1,215 for a course of three
Under-eye PRP: £385 per session
Joint and tendon PRP: from £750 per session
Referral bundles: £250 video, £150 phone, £295 in person

You will always know the full cost before any treatment starts. There are no hidden fees.

Why choose The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness

The doctor does the injections: your treatment is planned and performed by a GMC-registered doctor, not delegated
Evidence-based protocols: every plan is built from your history and examination, with realistic timelines and no overpromising
87% of patients see visible hair improvement within 6 months
Transparent pricing: fixed session and course pricing with no hidden fees
Trusted by patients: 187 verified five-star reviews across our clinics

If you would like to talk it through first, call 020 3951 3429. We are happy to advise before you commit to anything.

Frequently asked questions

How soon can I go back to work after PRP?

Most people return the same day or the next morning. Desk work is fine immediately. Physical or on-your-feet jobs are usually fine within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the area treated.

Will anyone be able to tell I have had treatment?

For hair and joint PRP, usually not. For under-eye or face PRP, mild puffiness for one to three days is common, and light bruising is possible. Most people find it easy to cover after 24 hours.

Can I drive home after PRP?

Yes. There is no sedation. If your knee or ankle was treated and feels stiff, wait until you are comfortable braking before driving.

Can I take ibuprofen for the soreness?

We advise avoiding ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories for about a week, because they can interfere with the repair response PRP is designed to trigger. Paracetamol is fine.

When can I exercise again?

Light movement the same day. Raise-your-heart-rate exercise after 24 to 48 hours. Heavy lower-body training after knee or hip PRP waits about 5 to 7 days.

Is PRP worth it compared with surgery or medication?

For many people, yes. PRP offers a meaningful chance of improvement with almost no downtime, no general anaesthetic and a fraction of the cost of surgery. At your consultation we will be honest about how strong the evidence is for your specific condition.

References

PRP London Clinic. Platelet-Rich Plasma for Hair Loss: A Review of the Evidence (2026).

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in London: Modern Applications and Effectiveness (2026).

Platelet-Rich Plasma in Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Applications and Outcomes. Published 2025 in Dermatology and Therapy. Read the study at https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01542-8

Book your PRP consultation in London

If you want clear advice on downtime, results and cost for your situation, book your PRP consultation online.

Book online at thelondonprpclinic.com, WhatsApp +44 7961 280835 or call 020 3951 3429.

The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness, Unit 4, 10 Portman Square, London W1H 6AZ. Doctor-led PRP for hair loss, skin, joints and intimate health, with honest advice and transparent pricing.

PRP treatment is provided following a medical consultation. Individual results vary. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.

The Wellness Team