What does a PRP facial actually do?

Medically reviewed by the medical team at The Wellness. Last reviewed November 2026.

A PRP facial uses plasma from your own blood to improve the quality of your skin. It can help with texture, fine lines, dullness and mild acne scarring. The change is gradual and subtle, and builds over a course of sessions. It will not lift loose skin or replace lost volume. At The Online GP by The Wellness, a doctor looks at your skin first and tells you whether it is the right treatment for what bothers you.

Key points

  • Sometimes called a vampire facial, it uses platelet-rich plasma from a small sample of your blood.

  • The plasma goes into the skin through microneedling or very fine injections.

  • It improves skin quality rather than changing the shape of your face.

  • Most people have a short course of sessions, a few weeks apart.

  • Your skin usually looks red for a day or two afterwards.

How does it work?

We take a small blood sample and spin it to concentrate the platelets. The plasma then goes into your skin, either during microneedling or through tiny injections across the face. Platelets carry growth factors that are thought to support collagen and repair, which is why the effect builds slowly rather than overnight.

What can it do, and what can it not?

It suits skin that looks tired, uneven or textured, and it can soften fine lines and mild scarring. It is not the right treatment for loose skin or lost volume.

The research is encouraging but still young. A 2026 randomised trial on the skin around the eyes found PRP improved fine wrinkles and pigmentation over three sessions. Most studies are small, so we will be clear with you about what to expect.

Ask a doctor on WhatsApp whether a PRP facial suits your skin.

What is the day like?

We take your blood sample and prepare it while your skin is cleansed and numbed. The whole visit takes about an hour.

Afterwards your skin looks a bit like mild sunburn for a day or two. Most people carry on as normal, keeping make-up off and staying out of strong sun for a short while.

How does it compare with other skin treatments?

Profhilo works on hydration, and exosome treatments work in a different way again. Which suits you depends on your skin and what you want to change. If it is the area under your eyes, our guide to under-eye PRP and PRF covers that.

Book a skin consultation on WhatsApp.

What happens when you book?

We start with your skin, not with the treatment.

  1. Message us on WhatsApp and tell us what you would like to improve.

  2. A doctor looks at your skin and tells you whether a PRP facial will help.

  3. On the day, we take a small blood sample and prepare it while your skin is numbed.

  4. The doctor applies or injects the plasma across the area.

  5. You go home with aftercare advice and a plan for any further sessions.

Not sure it is right for your skin?

Send us a photo in natural light and tell us what you would like to change. A doctor will tell you whether a PRP facial will help, or whether something else would do more. The cost of your plan is confirmed before anything is booked.

Send your photo on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

Does a PRP facial hurt?

Your skin is numbed first, so most people feel only mild discomfort.

How long does redness last after a PRP facial?

Most redness settles within a day or two.

How many PRP facial sessions will I need?

Many people have a short course a few weeks apart. The doctor advises on the number that suits your skin.

When will I see results?

Results build gradually over weeks to months as your skin responds.

Sources

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Can PRP or PRF help dark circles under the eyes?

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How many PRP sessions do you need for hair, and how long do results last?