You may have heard about athletes like Tiger Woods getting platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to help heal an injury. These shots, which are based on your own blood, are increasingly being used to treat sports injuries and to help wounds heal after surgery. Some doctors even use it as a cosmetic procedure to target signs of aging, such as wrinkles. But does it work? Heres what to keep in mind.

Plasma is the liquid part of your blood thats mostly made of water and protein. It lets red and white blood cells and platelets move through your bloodstream. Platelets are a type of blood cell that makes your blood clot. They also play a role in healing.

Doctors may use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on injuries or damage to tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints, and skin.

To collect plasma, a doctor draws blood from your body and uses a machine to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. Then the doctor numbs the area of your body being treated with PRP injections. Once youre numb, the doctor uses a needle to inject your plasma into the area of your body being treated.

For example, if youre being treated for a muscle injury, your doctor would inject plasma into several locations in that muscle. In some cases, doctors use ultrasound technology during injections to make sure theyre targeting the right area. PRP injections usually take about 30 minutes, though it depends on the area youre targeting.

Once platelets are in the area thats being treated, they break down and release growth factors, which are compounds that help cells repair and renew. This is thought to trigger your bodys healing process.

PRP injections are used to treat torn tendons, tendinitis, muscle injuries, arthritis-related pain, and joint injuries. Theyre becoming more common for cosmetic procedures, too. For example, dermatologists and hair replacement experts use PRP injections to treat a type of hair loss called androgenic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness, which affects men and women. And some dermatologists provide PRP treatments for the face. (You may have heard these called a vampire facial.)

More studies are needed to see what conditions PRP can work on. So far, research shows that it speeds healing after injury or surgery for certain conditions, like torn tendons. In addition to helping injured tissue heal, some studies show PRP injections curb pain and boost mobility for people with rotator cuff injuries. PRP injections appear to reduce hair loss in people with male or female pattern baldness. But its not clear whether facial PRP injections ease visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and sagging skin.

It can take several weeks for PRP injections to start working. For some conditions, particularly those affecting the hair or the skin, it may take up to 6 months to notice the full effects. For some conditions, including hair loss, you may need to repeat the procedure to maintain the results.

Youll likely need to stop taking certain medications that thin your blood, like aspirin and ibuprofen, before you get PRP injections. You may also need to take a break from certain vitamins or supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Your doctor can tell you exactly what you need to do to prepare for these shots.

PRP doesnt usually cause major side effects. But because it involves drawing blood, youll want to make sure you eat before the procedure. That will help you avoid feeling lightheaded when you get PRP injections.

After the shot, you shouldnt wash the area that was treated for 48 hours. You might notice some soreness and bruising in the area that received injections. If you feel sharp or intense pain, let your doctor know.

PRP injections may or may not be covered by your health insurance, so check your plans details. If youre getting it for cosmetic reasons -- for example, PRP injections for hair loss -- your insurance probably wont cover it. Treatment can cost $250 to $1,500 a session, and you may need several sessions to see results.

You cant get PRP injections if you have:

You should only get PRP injections from a licensed doctor.

SOURCES:

Hospital for Special Surgery: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP).

Johns Hopkins Medicine: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP).

Cedars-Sinai: Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Platelet-Rich Plasma for Cosmetic Facial Procedures Promising Results, but Evidence Has Limitations.

American Academy of Dermatology: Is platelet-rich plasma the secret to younger-looking skin?

PLOS ONE: A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for Treating Degenerative Tendinopathies: A Randomized Control Trial with Synchronous Observational Cohort.

The rest is here:
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: Purpose & Effectiveness