PRP Micro-Needling: How It Works and What to Expect
What PRP micro-needling is
PRP micro-needling combines two treatments: professional micro-needling and platelet-rich plasma prepared from your own blood. It is sometimes called a vampire facial, though that name says more about marketing than about the procedure.
Micro-needling
A device with fine needles creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin. Those injuries trigger a healing response that stimulates production of new collagen and elastin. The evidence for micro-needling in acne scarring and skin texture is reasonably well established.
PRP
Platelet-rich plasma is prepared from your own blood. A small draw is taken at your appointment and spun in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets and the growth factors they contain. That concentrate is applied to the skin during treatment, entering through the channels the needles create.
Because the material comes from your own body, the risk of reaction to a foreign substance is substantially reduced. That is not the same as no risk — the procedure itself carries risks including infection, prolonged redness, and post-inflammatory pigment change, particularly in darker skin tones.
Being straightforward about the evidence: micro-needling alone has good support. Whether adding PRP meaningfully improves on micro-needling alone is less settled — studies suggest benefit, but they are generally small and results are mixed. It is a reasonable addition, not a transformation.
What it addresses
- Acne scarring and textural irregularity
- Fine lines
- Enlarged pores
- Uneven tone
- Early skin laxity
What happens at your appointment
- Blood draw — comparable to routine lab work.
- PRP preparation — your sample is centrifuged while you wait.
- Treatment — micro-needling is performed with PRP applied to the skin throughout.
- Afterward — redness and sensitivity resembling mild sunburn, generally settling within 24 to 72 hours.
How many sessions
Most patients need three to six sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. Results build gradually as collagen remodels, which takes months rather than weeks.
Pricing
- Single session — $649
- Package of 3 — $1,797
- Package of 6 — $2,994
Who it is not for
It is not appropriate for everyone, including patients on blood thinners, with active skin infection or active acne in the treatment area, certain blood or immune conditions, or a history of keloid scarring. Pregnancy is generally a contraindication. A consultation is required so we can review your history.
Book a consultation
Call (951) 898-8515 or visit us at 2083 Compton Ave Suite 101, Corona, CA.
PRP micro-needling is a cosmetic procedure and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All procedures involving skin penetration carry risks including infection, prolonged redness, and pigment change. Not appropriate for everyone. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed. A consultation is required prior to treatment.