What happens when one of the oldest and most effective cosmetic skin treatments joins forces with a newer, groundbreaking treatment that’s exploded in popularity in the last few years?
You get a game-changing duo that takes skin rejuvenation to the next level.
We’re talking about microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). These treatments are already impressive on their own, but they work much better together.
In this article, we’ll break down what microneedling and PRP are, why they pair so well, and what you can expect before, during, and after your microneedling with PRP treatment.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling, sometimes called collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses tiny, sterilized needles to create tiny holes in the top layer of your skin.
Yes, needles are involved, but it’s not a painful treatment, and it requires little to no downtime. The treatment itself is actually very short and simple.
A specialized device with fine needles is gently moved across the skin’s surface, creating controlled micro-injuries. These micro-injuries trigger the body’s wound-healing process, resulting in increased collagen and elastin production.
The procedure is commonly used to address various skin concerns, including:
- Fine lines and wrinkles: The holes created help stimulate and boost collagen production, leading to smoother skin and reduced fine lines and wrinkles.
- Acne scars and other types of scarring: Microneeding helps improve the texture of scars by breaking down old scar tissue and promoting the formation of new, healthy tissue.
- Stretch marks: In a similar way that it helps smooth scars, microneedling may also effectively diminish the appearance of stretch marks.
- Enlarged pores: Pore size is largely genetic, which means there isn’t much you can do to drastically minimize large pores if they’ve been passed down to you. However, microneedling is one of the best treatments for reducing pore size, giving the skin a more refined appearance.
Microneedling is generally safe for most skin types. However, you should always book a consultation with a reputable med spa to determine if the procedure is suitable for your specific skin concerns and to ensure proper technique and sterilization practices are followed.
At Relive Health, we use the latest microneedling technology and evidence-based techniques to deliver safe, effective treatments tailored to your skin’s unique needs. Our board-certified aestheticians understand that microneedling isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment—they take a customized approach to address your specific skin concerns and maximize your results.
What is PRP?
PRP, or Platelet-Rich Plasma, is a modern treatment that utilizes your body’s natural healing process to improve your skin. It uses the power of your own blood to promote cell regeneration, which can lead to smoother, healthier skin.
The process starts with a small blood draw, just like a routine lab test. Your blood is then spun in a centrifuge, separating the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of your blood. This concentrated serum, packed with growth factors, is then applied to the treatment area.
PRP offers a range of powerful benefits for your skin, including the potential to:
- Stimulate Collagen Production: PRP helps kickstart collagen production, which is key for maintaining youthful, firm skin.
- Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles: As collagen rebuilds, your skin should be much smoother. You might even see a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Improve Skin Texture and Tone: PRP helps promote cell turnover. This could lead to more even skin texture and a healthy glow.
- Minimize the Appearance of Scars: Thanks to its ability to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration, PRP shows promise in reducing the appearance of scarring.
- Safe and Natural: Since PRP uses your own blood, the risk of allergic reactions or complications is minimal. It’s a natural treatment that works with your body to enhance your skin.
Using your body’s own healing power, PRP rejuvenates the skin in a way that is both effective and gentle. It’s a perfect option for anyone looking for natural skin improvement without the use of synthetic substances.
What is Microneedling with PRP?
Microneedling with PRP combines two of the most effective and popular treatments in skin rejuvenation, approaching the process from different angles for ultimate results.
Microneedling creates tiny micro-channels in your skin, stimulating your body’s natural healing response and encouraging collagen and elastin production. Then, the PRP derived from your own blood is applied to the treated areas to accelerate the healing process and enhance skin regeneration from within.
By pairing these two treatments, you’re amplifying the benefits of each. The microneedling allows the PRP to penetrate deeper into the skin, making it more effective at rejuvenating and repairing. The result is smoother, firmer skin with improved texture, tone, and elasticity.
Benefits of Microneedling with PRP
Together, microneedling and PRP address a wide range of skin concerns—leaving your complexion looking refreshed and radiant. By combining these two powerful treatments, you’re getting a comprehensive approach to skin rejuvenation that amplifies the results of each individual procedure.
Here are a few of the many benefits of this combo:
Safe and Natural
Microneedling with PRP uses your body’s own natural healing processes. There are no synthetic fillers or foreign substances—just your own blood and collagen-boosting treatments, making this combination one of the safest and most natural ways to rejuvenate your skin.
Treats Multiple Skin Concerns Simultaneously
Most people don’t only have one skin concern. From fine lines and wrinkles to acne scars and pigmentation issues, microneedling with PRP is a combined approach that can target multiple skin concerns in one session.
Enhanced Collagen Production
Microneedling stimulates your skin’s natural collagen production, while PRP accelerates the healing process and further boosts collagen synthesis. This combo should result in firmer, more youthful-looking skin with improved texture and elasticity.
Targeted Skin Healing
Microneedling creates micro-channels in the skin, allowing the PRP (which is rich in growth factors) to penetrate deeply. This process can potentially speed up skin regeneration, helping to repair skin damage, reduce scarring, and promote smoother, healthier skin.
Decreased Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Microneedling encourages collagen production, and PRP helps heal and rejuvenate your skin. This combination can potentially minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving you smoother, more youthful skin.
Improved Skin Tone and Texture
Microneedling triggers the skin’s natural exfoliation process, and PRP has skin renewal properties. This powerful combo can help even out skin tone and texture. Whether you’re dealing with acne scars, sun damage, or uneven pigmentation, the two treatments work together to reveal a more radiant complexion.
Boosted Hydration
Microneedling helps your skin absorb PRP, which contains hydrating elements that improve skin moisture levels. Once your skin heals, you’ll be left with plump, dewy, more hydrated skin.
Accelerated Healing
Microneedling can cause mild redness and swelling, but the recovery process is accelerated when paired with PRP. PRP’s growth factors reduce inflammation and promote faster healing, allowing you to get back to your daily routine sooner.
Improved Pores
The collagen stimulation from microneedling, coupled with the healing effects of PRP, helps tighten the skin, which could help in temporarily reducing the appearance of pores for a smoother, more refined complexion.
What to Expect During a Microneedling with PRP Procedure
While every med spa may have slight variations in their approach, here’s a general breakdown of what to expect during your microneedling with PRP treatment.
Step 1: Consultation and Assessment
Before anything begins, you’ll meet with your provider for a consultation. They’ll assess your skin, discuss your concerns, and determine if microneedling with PRP is the right treatment for you. Be prepared to go over your medical history and any medications you’re currently taking to ensure there are no contraindications.
Also, if you hope to have treatment on the same day, make sure to schedule your consultation at least two weeks after other aesthetic treatments, such as Botox and dermal fillers. These products need time to settle before undergoing any treatment involving pressure or massage.
Step 2: Preparation and Blood Draw
Once you’re cleared to proceed, the first step involves drawing a small sample of your blood. This is a quick and simple process. The blood will then be placed in a centrifuge, which separates the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from the rest of the blood components. This concentrated PRP is what will be applied to your skin during the microneedling process.
Step 3: Numbing Your Skin
A topical numbing cream can be applied to the area of your face or body being treated to ensure comfort. This numbing agent typically takes about 20-30 minutes to take full effect and will help minimize any discomfort during the microneedling procedure.
Step 4: Microneedling Procedure
Once you’re comfortably numb, the microneedling process begins. A specialized hand-held medical device will be used to create tiny microchannels in your skin. This is done in a controlled pattern, and the depth of the needles can be adjusted based on your skin concerns and goals.
While you may feel some mild vibration or pressure, it’s not painful. The numbing cream should make this process comfortable.
Step 5: Application of PRP
After the microneedling portion is complete, the PRP will be applied to the treatment area. This is the relaxing part and feels like a light, soothing massage.
Step 6. Post-Treatment Care
Once the microneedling with PRP treatment is finished, your provider will apply a soothing serum or moisturizer to your skin to help calm any redness or irritation. You will then be sent home with aftercare instructions (which we’ll discuss in more detail next).
Other than a little bit of swelling and redness that might make you want to lay low for a bit, most people experience minimal downtime after microneedling with PRP treatment and can go back to work and resume normal activities.
Microneedling with PRP Aftercare
Immediately after the procedure, you may experience mild redness and swelling, similar to a sunburn. This should subside within a few days. A few days later, you may notice slight flaking or peeling as your skin renews and sheds dead cells.
It’s important to follow a few key aftercare instructions during this healing time to ensure the best results and promote proper healing. Your provider will give you specific aftercare instructions to follow, but here are some general guidelines:
- Avoid sun exposure for at least 24-48 hours after your treatment, and always apply a high-quality sunscreen when heading outside. Protecting your skin from UV rays will help prevent irritation and pigmentation changes.
- Refrain from wearing makeup for the first 24 hours to allow your skin to breathe and heal without any potential blockage or irritation.
- Avoid sweating excessively for the first few days. This means skipping intense workouts or any activities that could cause you to sweat heavily, as sweat can irritate your freshly treated skin.
- Skip harsh skincare products like retinols, exfoliators, and acid-based products for a few days to avoid unnecessary irritation. Stick to gentle, hydrating skincare for optimal healing.
- Moisturize regularly to keep your skin hydrated and support its natural healing process. Look for a calming, fragrance-free moisturizer.
- Avoid touching the treated area to minimize the risk of infection. Your skin is more sensitive right after the treatment, and keeping it clean will reduce any chances of irritation or contamination.
It might not seem important, but following these steps helps ensure your skin heals properly, which is crucial to achieving the best results from your microneedling with PRP treatment.
When Will I See Results From Microneeding with PRP?
This type of in-office medical aesthetic treatment isn’t like a hydrafacial, where you only need one session and walk away with instantly radiant, dewy, glowing skin.
You will likely need 3-4 sessions for optimal collagen production and long-term results, and your skin will probably be a little red and irritated for a few hours, maybe even a day or two.
It typically takes a few weeks to see the results from each treatment; as it takes time for collagen production to kick into high gear. And again, you will likely need a series of at least 3-4 treatments to see long-term results.
But trust us, the results are worth the wait! Once your series of treatments is complete, your skin should be smoother, brighter, and more youthful.
The results also last longer than other popular aesthetic treatments. The combination of treatments creates lasting changes to the skin’s structure, improving its overall health and appearance.
How Long Do Results from Microneeding with PRP Last?
The results of microneedling with PRP are not forever, but it’s also not a quick fix. This specific combo offers long-lasting benefits that improve the overall health and appearance of your skin over time.
While you may notice an immediate glow and smoothness within a few weeks, the true magic happens as collagen production ramps up and continues to improve the texture and tone of your skin in the months that follow.
Microneedling with PRP stimulates deep layers of the skin, so you’ll continue to see improvements long after the procedure. Typically, results can last anywhere from several months to a year, depending on your individual skin concerns and how well you maintain your results.
To make the most of your results and address other skin concerns you might have, you should consider incorporating microneedling with PRP into a personalized skincare routine that’s tailored to your unique needs.
After a skin analysis, your provider might recommend additional in-office treatments, like Botox or dermal filler, a deeper laser for more dramatic results, and maintenance facials, such as the Hydrafacial, to keep your skin refreshed and rejuvenated. They will likely also suggest a medical-grade skincare routine to follow at home.
We wish one treatment could address all your skin concerns, but that’s not how skin rejuvenation works. We see this a lot with our clients who come in for neurotoxins and dermal filler. While they are great at smoothing fine lines and restoring volume, they don’t tackle skin texture or overall skin health. You need consistency and, most likely, a comprehensive approach that includes multiple medical aesthetic treatments to see the best benefits.
Final Thoughts
Microneedling and PRP each offer excellent stand-alone benefits, but when combined, they create a more powerful treatment for enhanced, all-around skin rejuvenation. Plus, getting both in one treatment session not only saves you time but can also be more cost-effective.
If you’re looking for a smoother, healthier, and more youthful complexion, with long-term improvements in skin texture, tone, hydration, and overall appearance—this combination is for you!
At all of our Relive Health clinics nationwide, we have board-certified medical professionals who are experts in aesthetics and highly experienced in microneedling with PRP treatments.
Experience the benefits for yourself—book your appointment today and take the first step toward healthier, more radiant skin!
