Your body holds powerful healing factors in your blood that can turn back the clock on aging skin and thinning hair. After your first PRP therapy session at Beauty & Fly, knowing what happens in those crucial first hours and weeks helps you relax and trust the process. Here’s what your body does behind the scenes to create those natural, rejuvenating results you’re looking for.
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How PRP Works in Your Body
Your blood contains tiny cells called platelets that normally help wounds heal when you get a cut or scrape. PRP therapy takes those same healing platelets from your own blood, concentrates them, and injects them back into areas that need rejuvenation like your face or scalp. The moment PRP enters your skin or scalp, those concentrated platelets start releasing growth factors that tell your body to begin repairing and rebuilding tissue. It’s basically like giving your body’s natural healing system a major boost in exactly the spot where you want to see improvement.
What Happens Right After Injection
The platelets don’t just sit there after your PRP therapy session. They get to work immediately, though you won’t see visible changes right away. Here’s what’s happening under your skin in those first hours and days:
- Platelets break open and release proteins called growth factors into the surrounding tissue
- These growth factors signal your cells to start multiplying and repairing
- Your body recognizes the area as needing attention and sends extra resources there
- Blood flow increases to the treated area, bringing nutrients and oxygen
The Rebuilding Process Takes Time
Your body needs weeks to create new collagen, elastin, and healthy cells. Think of it like planting seeds in a garden. You don’t see flowers the next day, but growth is happening beneath the surface. The same goes for PRP therapy, whether you’re getting it for facial rejuvenation or hair restoration.
At Beauty & Fly, Catherine Curtin uses PRP therapy for both skin rejuvenation and hair loss treatment, often combining it with other services like microneedling for enhanced results. The treatment works with your body’s natural timeline, not against it.
| Time After Treatment | What’s Happening | What You Might Notice |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | Platelets release growth factors | Redness, mild swelling |
| Week 1-2 | Cell multiplication begins | Swelling goes down, skin looks normal |
| Week 3-6 | New collagen forms | Subtle improvements in texture |
| Month 2-3 | Tissue regeneration peaks | Visible results become clear |
Why Results Appear Gradually
Your body can’t rush the process of building new tissue. Collagen production takes several weeks, and cell renewal happens in cycles. This is why most people need multiple PRP therapy sessions spaced about four to six weeks apart.
The gradual timeline actually works in your favor. Changes happen slowly enough that they look completely natural, not like you suddenly had work done. Friends might notice you look refreshed but won’t be able to pinpoint exactly what changed.
The First 24 Hours After Treatment
Your face might look like you spent too much time in the sun, and that’s actually a good sign. Right after your PRP therapy session, you’ll notice some redness and swelling in the treated area, which means your body is already responding to the treatment. The area may feel warm to the touch, almost like a mild sunburn, and you might experience some tenderness when you touch it. This is your skin’s natural healing response kicking in, and it’s completely normal. Most patients describe the sensation as manageable, not painful, just a bit uncomfortable.
The First 24 Hours After Treatment
The first day requires some patience because you’ll need to leave the treated area alone. Resist the urge to touch, wash, or apply any products to your skin or scalp right after treatment.
- Skip all makeup for at least 24 hours
- Avoid exercise, hot showers, and anything that makes you sweat
- Stay out of direct sunlight and skip the tanning bed
- Don’t wash the treated area until you get the green light
- Keep your hands away from your face or scalp
- Drink plenty of water to support your body’s healing process
Getting enough rest during this first day helps your body focus its energy on healing. At Beauty & Fly, Catherine walks you through exactly what to expect and provides personalized aftercare instructions based on whether you received facial PRP or hair restoration treatment.
Days 2-7: The Active Healing Phase
The second day usually brings good news because most of the initial redness starts fading. You’ll notice the swelling goes down significantly within the first 2-3 days, though everyone heals at their own pace. Some patients see small bruises appear, especially if they had microneedling combined with their PRP therapy, but these typically disappear within a few days. Your skin might feel a bit dry or tight during this week, which is just part of the healing process as new collagen starts forming beneath the surface.
Days 2-7: The Active Healing Phase
By day three or four, you can usually get back to your normal routine. Most activities can resume after 48 hours, including light exercise and your regular skincare routine.
Here’s what a typical week looks like:
- Day 2: Redness decreases noticeably, gentle face washing allowed
- Day 3: Swelling mostly gone, can return to work and social activities
- Day 4-5: Any bruising starts fading, skin may feel slightly dry
- Day 6-7: Most visible side effects resolved, can resume all normal activities
You’ll want to stick with gentle, hydrating products during this week. Avoid anything with harsh acids, retinol, or exfoliants until your skin feels back to normal. Catherine provides specific product recommendations based on your skin type and the treatment you received, making sure you know exactly what to use and when.
Weeks 2-12: When Results Start Showing
This is where things get interesting because the real magic happens beneath your skin’s surface. Around week three or four, your body’s collagen production kicks into high gear, and that’s when you start seeing actual changes. The first thing most patients notice is improved skin texture – their skin feels smoother and looks more refined. Fine lines start softening, and your overall complexion takes on a fresher, more even appearance. For hair restoration patients, the timeline looks a bit different, with reduced hair shedding often becoming noticeable around the six-week mark.
Weeks 2-12: When Results Start Showing
The waiting game can feel long, but your patience pays off. Peak results typically show up between 8 and 12 weeks after your session, though your skin continues improving for up to six months.
- Week 3-4: Skin texture improvements become visible
- Week 6-8: Fine lines soften, skin tone evens out
- Week 8-12: Full results emerge, collagen continues building
- Month 4-6: Results continue refining and improving
Many patients see the best outcomes with a series of treatments rather than just one session. At Beauty & Fly, Catherine often recommends 2-3 PRP therapy sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart for optimal results, especially for hair restoration or more significant skin concerns. Each treatment builds on the previous one, creating cumulative improvements that last longer and look more natural than a single session alone.
The beauty of PRP therapy is that it works with your body’s natural healing abilities. You’re not getting instant results like you would with fillers, but what you are getting is genuine tissue regeneration that looks completely natural and continues improving over time.
Your Path to Natural Rejuvenation
The beauty of PRP therapy is that it works with what you already have. Your body does the heavy lifting while you just need to be patient and follow some simple aftercare steps. The first few days might bring some redness and swelling, but most people find these side effects pretty manageable and get back to their regular routine quickly.
The waiting game is probably the hardest part. Results don’t show up overnight because your skin needs time to rebuild collagen and repair itself from the inside out. Most people start seeing changes around the 4-week mark, with the best results appearing between 8 and 12 weeks after treatment.
Here’s what makes the difference between okay results and great ones:
- Experience matters when it comes to extracting and applying your plasma correctly
- Personalized treatment plans that consider your specific skin concerns
- Proper aftercare guidance that sets you up for success
- Follow-up sessions timed right for your skin’s healing process
At Beauty & Fly, Catherine Curtin brings over 18 years of aesthetic medicine experience to every PRP therapy session. She takes the time to explain what’s happening at each stage and adjusts your treatment plan based on how your skin responds. Working with someone who understands the science behind PRP and has done thousands of treatments means you’re more likely to get the natural, gradual improvements you’re hoping for.
The journey from your first session to visible results raises a lot of questions along the way. That’s completely normal when you’re trying something new for your skin.
Common Questions About PRP Recovery
After your first PRP therapy session, you probably have a bunch of questions running through your mind. That’s completely normal, especially when you’re trying something new for your skin or hair. Most people wonder about the same things, from when they can get back to their regular routine to how long it takes before they see any changes. At Beauty & Fly, Catherine Curtin makes sure every patient knows exactly what to expect, but here are answers to the questions that come up most often.
Can I wear makeup after PRP treatment?
You should wait at least 24 hours before applying makeup to treated areas. Your skin needs time to heal from the tiny needle punctures, and makeup can introduce bacteria or irritate the area. After that first day, you can usually go back to your normal routine, but stick with clean brushes and gentle products for the first few days.
When can I exercise after my session?
Hold off on intense workouts for about 24 to 48 hours after PRP therapy. Sweating and increased blood flow can cause more swelling or bruising in the treated areas. Light walking is fine, but save the gym sessions and hot yoga classes for a couple days later.
Is it normal to not see results right away?
Yes, this is completely normal and actually expected. PRP therapy works by stimulating your body’s natural healing and collagen production, which takes time. Most people start noticing improvements around 4 to 6 weeks after their first session, with results continuing to develop over several months. The platelets in your plasma need time to do their work at a cellular level.
How many treatments will I need?
Most patients benefit from a series of 3 to 4 treatments spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart. During your consultation at Beauty & Fly, Catherine creates a personalized treatment plan based on your specific concerns and goals. Some people see great results with fewer sessions, while others might need additional treatments for optimal outcomes.
What should I do if I have concerns during recovery?
Reach out to the practice right away if something doesn’t feel right. Minor redness and swelling are normal, but if you experience unusual pain, excessive swelling, or signs of infection, contact Beauty & Fly immediately. Catherine is always available to address patient concerns and wants you to feel comfortable throughout your recovery.
Can I combine PRP with other treatments?
Absolutely. PRP therapy actually works really well when combined with other treatments like microneedling or certain laser procedures. At Beauty & Fly, Catherine often recommends combining treatments to enhance results, but the timing matters. She’ll create a treatment schedule that maximizes benefits while giving your skin adequate recovery time between procedures.