PRP Side Effects and Recovery: What to Expect After Your Treatment
PRP is one of the safest cosmetic treatments available because it uses your own blood, with serious complications occurring in less than 0.1% of cases. Common side effects are mild and temporary, typically resolving within 24-72 hours. At The Wellness, we've performed over 2,500 PRP procedures with zero serious adverse events.
Understanding what to expect after PRP treatment helps you prepare properly and distinguish normal healing from concerning symptoms. In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything you need to know about side effects, recovery timeline, and aftercare.
Why PRP is Exceptionally Safe
PRP's safety profile is superior to most cosmetic treatments for one fundamental reason: it uses your own biological material.
No foreign substances: Unlike fillers, Botox, or medications, PRP contains nothing synthetic. Your body recognises the injected material as "self."
No allergic reactions: Allergies require exposure to foreign proteins. Since PRP is derived from your own blood, allergic reactions are essentially impossible.
No rejection: Immune rejection occurs when the body attacks foreign tissue. With autologous (self-derived) material, this cannot happen.
Minimal infection risk: With proper sterile technique, infection risk is extremely low since no external biological material is introduced.
Common Side Effects (Normal and Expected)
Scalp Tenderness
How common: 80-90% of patients
Severity: Mild
Duration: 24-72 hours
Description: The scalp feels sensitive to touch, similar to mild sunburn
Management: Avoid touching or pressing on the scalp. Paracetamol can help if needed. Does not require treatment.
Mild Swelling
How common: 30-40% of patients
Severity: Mild
Duration: 24-48 hours
Description: Slight puffiness around the injection sites, sometimes extending to forehead
Management: Resolves spontaneously. Cold compress can provide relief. Sleep with head slightly elevated if desired.
Redness at Injection Sites
How common: 50-60% of patients
Severity: Mild
Duration: Hours to 24 hours
Description: Pinpoint redness where injections were placed
Management: No treatment needed. Resolves quickly.
Pinpoint Bruising
How common: 20-30% of patients
Severity: Mild
Duration: 3-7 days
Description: Small bruises at some injection sites
Management: Concealer can cover if needed. Arnica cream may help speed resolution. Avoid blood-thinning supplements before future treatments.
Headache
How common: 15-20% of patients
Severity: Mild
Duration: Hours to 24 hours
Description: Mild headache following treatment
Management: Paracetamol provides relief. Stay hydrated. Usually resolves by next day.
Itching
How common: 10-15% of patients
Severity: Mild
Duration: 24-48 hours
Description: Mild itching at treatment sites (sign of healing)
Management: Avoid scratching. Does not require treatment.
Concerned about potential side effects? Discuss with our team via WhatsApp
Uncommon Side Effects
Prolonged Swelling
How common: 2-5% of patients
Severity: Moderate
Duration: 3-5 days
When to contact us: If swelling persists beyond 3 days or is increasing.
Temporary Hair Shedding
How common: 5-10% of patients (usually minimal)
Severity: Mild, temporary
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Explanation: Some patients experience brief increased shedding as follicles transition. This "shock loss" is temporary and followed by new growth. It's actually a sign that follicles are responding.
Infection (Very Rare)
How common: <0.1% of patients
Severity: Potentially serious if untreated
Signs: Increasing redness, warmth, pus, fever, worsening pain after 48 hours
What to do: Contact us immediately if you suspect infection. Early treatment resolves the issue quickly.
Recovery Timeline
Day 0 (Treatment Day)
What to expect:
Scalp tenderness
Mild redness at injection sites
Possible slight swelling
What to do:
Avoid touching your scalp
Do not wash your hair
Avoid strenuous exercise
Stay hydrated
Day 1
What to expect:
Tenderness continuing but may be reducing
Any swelling typically peaks
Redness fading
What to do:
Gentle hair wash is now permitted
Avoid vigorous exercise
No swimming
Continue avoiding scalp touching
Days 2-3
What to expect:
Significant reduction in tenderness
Swelling resolving
Possible mild bruising becoming visible
What to do:
Resume most normal activities
Gentle exercise okay
Normal hair washing
Days 4-7
What to expect:
Most side effects resolved
Any bruising fading
What to do:
Full return to normal activities
All exercise permitted
Swimming okay
Weeks 2-4
What to expect:
All side effects resolved
Possible reduced shedding (encouraging sign)
No visible improvement yet (normal)
Aftercare Instructions
First 24 Hours
DO:
Keep the scalp dry
Sleep with head slightly elevated if swollen
Take paracetamol if needed for discomfort
Stay hydrated
DON'T:
Wash your hair
Touch or rub your scalp
Exercise strenuously
Drink alcohol
Take blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen)
Days 2-7
DO:
Wash hair gently with mild shampoo
Pat dry rather than rub
Resume normal activities gradually
Use sun protection if spending time outdoors
DON'T:
Use harsh hair products
Apply heat styling tools to scalp
Swim in chlorinated pools
Have scalp treatments (massage, chemical treatments)
Weeks 2-4
DO:
Resume all normal activities
Use your regular hair products
Continue any prescribed medications (minoxidil, etc.)
Protect scalp from excessive sun exposure
DON'T:
Have chemical hair treatments (colour, perm) until week 2+
Worry about not seeing results yet (too early)
What Could Affect Your Recovery
Factors that may increase side effects:
Blood-thinning medications or supplements (more bruising)
Alcohol consumption around treatment (more bleeding, bruising)
Smoking (impairs healing)
Immune-compromising conditions
Very vigorous exercise immediately after
Factors that support smooth recovery:
Following aftercare instructions
Good hydration
Adequate sleep
Avoiding blood thinners when possible
Non-smoking status
When to Contact Us
Contact us promptly if you experience:
Fever (over 38°C)
Increasing pain after 48 hours (rather than decreasing)
Increasing redness or warmth spreading
Pus or discharge from injection sites
Severe or persistent headache
Allergic reaction symptoms (extremely rare)
Don't hesitate to reach out. We'd rather reassure you about normal healing than have you worry unnecessarily or miss a genuine concern.
Safety at The Wellness
Our safety protocols include:
Sterile technique: Single-use equipment, proper disinfection
Qualified practitioners: GMC-registered physicians only
Medical-grade equipment: Properly maintained and calibrated
Full medical history review: Identifying contraindications before treatment
Aftercare support: Direct contact line for post-treatment concerns
Track record: Over 2,500 procedures with zero serious adverse events
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PRP painful?
Most patients rate discomfort 3-4 out of 10. We use topical numbing to minimise sensation. It's generally more uncomfortable than painful.
Can I drive home after PRP?
Yes. There's no sedation and the treatment doesn't affect your ability to drive.
Can I go to work the next day?
Yes. Most patients return to work immediately or the next day. Minor redness is typically the only visible sign.
Will PRP interfere with other medications?
PRP doesn't interact with medications. However, blood thinners can increase bruising. Discuss your medications during consultation.
What if I have an important event?
Schedule PRP at least 1 week before important events to allow any bruising to resolve.
Is PRP safe if I have autoimmune conditions?
Generally yes, since PRP is your own tissue. However, we assess each case individually as some conditions affect platelet function.
Is PRP safe long-term?
There's no evidence of long-term adverse effects from PRP. The treatment has been used safely for over two decades across various medical applications.
Book Your Safe PRP Treatment
At The Wellness, patient safety is our absolute priority. We combine rigorous protocols with experienced practitioners to deliver effective treatment with minimal risk.
Ready to begin safely? Contact us on WhatsApp
Medically reviewed January 2026
Last updated: January 2026
