5 Reasons to Combine Microneedling and PRP
Combining microneedling with PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) enhances skin rejuvenation by utilizing your body’s natural repair processes. Here’s why this treatment duo is so effective:
Boosts Collagen Production: Microneedling creates tiny skin channels, while PRP delivers growth factors like TGF-β and EGF, promoting healthier, smoother skin.
Speeds Up Recovery: PRP reduces redness and swelling, cutting down recovery time by about two days.
Improves Skin Tone and Texture: Tackles pigmentation issues, acne scars, and uneven texture with deeper PRP penetration.
Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles: PRP amplifies microneedling’s collagen-boosting effects, improving firmness and reducing wrinkles.
Long-Lasting Results: PRP works with your body’s biology for gradual, natural improvements that can last up to nine months.
This combination addresses multiple skin concerns – from fine lines to acne scars – offering visible improvements over time. Most patients see results within weeks, with optimal effects after a series of 3–4 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
Microneedling with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)
1. Increased Collagen Production
Microneedling works by creating controlled micro-injuries in the skin, which kickstart your body’s natural healing process. These tiny channels in the skin stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. When paired with PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), the process gets a significant boost, as PRP delivers a concentrated mix of growth factors directly into these microchannels.
PRP contains several key growth factors that play a role in skin regeneration:
TGF-β: Encourages collagen production and helps regulate inflammation.
PDGF: Supports cell replication and the formation of blood vessels.
EGF: Speeds up cell turnover for faster healing.
This combination not only enhances skin regeneration but also ensures that the collagen forms in a healthy, lattice-like structure. Unlike the parallel bundles typical of scar tissue, this pattern results in smoother, more natural-looking skin [7].
SLK Clinic explains the benefits of this synergy:
“PRP growth factors stimulate tissue remodeling and when they are concentrated, they are associated with enhanced healing, upregulation of collagen synthesis, and promotion of tissue regeneration” [6].
Studies also show that this treatment thickens the epidermis and develops rete ridges – structures that support skin stem cells and maintain a healthy environment for continuous renewal.
You’ll start to see noticeable improvements within a few weeks, but the full effects typically unfold over 4–6 weeks, with continued enhancement for up to 9 months [3][4]. This gradual timeline mirrors the natural pace of collagen production, as your skin rebuilds itself layer by layer from within.
2. Faster Recovery Time
Pairing PRP with microneedling can noticeably cut down recovery time. Typically, microneedling alone leaves the skin red and swollen for about 3–5 days. However, adding PRP often reduces inflammation by approximately two days, speeding up the healing process[6].
This quicker recovery happens thanks to PRP’s powerful healing properties. Packed with concentrated proteins, PRP boosts tissue repair and calms inflammation. For instance, EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) activates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for healing, while TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor Beta) helps manage the body’s inflammatory response. The result? Less redness and swelling overall[2][9].
“PRP also accelerates healing following microneedling. In particular, it reduces redness and edema (swelling) a couple days earlier.” – SLK Clinic[6]
Most patients can get back to their regular routines within 24 hours[5][8]. To ensure smooth recovery, avoid washing the treated area until the next day, use a hyaluronic acid serum during the first week, and steer clear of harsh products like retinoids, exfoliants, or vitamin C for 3–5 days. Additionally, the skin remains extra sensitive to sunlight, so diligent sun protection is essential for 1–2 weeks[8][9].
A 2016 study highlighted that patients reported greater satisfaction and experienced less downtime when PRP was included with microneedling compared to microneedling alone[3]. This faster recovery not only makes the process more convenient but also enhances the overall skin rejuvenation results.
3. Better Skin Tone and Texture
This treatment duo goes beyond just boosting collagen – it actively works to improve skin tone and texture by tackling pigmentation issues and structural irregularities. When microneedling is paired with PRP, it offers visible enhancements in skin tone and smoothness by addressing concerns like hyperpigmentation, melasma, sunspots, and age spots. Here’s how it works: microneedling creates tiny, controlled micro-channels in the skin, allowing the PRP’s concentrated growth factors to penetrate deep into the dermis. This deep penetration enhances cellular repair processes, making it highly effective for resolving pigmentation problems and uneven texture[2][3].
On a cellular level, PRP introduces growth factors such as PDGF, TGF-β, and EGF, which speed up cell turnover and stimulate collagen production. The result? Smoother skin, minimized pores, and reduced scarring – including acne scars, surgical scars, and even keloid scars[2][3][6]. These growth factors play a key role in tissue remodeling and healthy skin regeneration, leading to a thicker, more resilient epidermis with improved structural support.
Most people notice improvements in skin tone and texture within two to three weeks after treatment. For those dealing with more severe concerns, like deep acne scars or significant sun damage, a series of sessions spaced out over time is often recommended to achieve the best possible results[4].
4. Reduced Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Microneedling paired with PRP offers a powerful combination for tackling visible signs of aging. Microneedling creates tiny, controlled micro-injuries in the skin, kick-starting its natural repair process. PRP, often referred to as a “biological fertilizer”, delivers concentrated growth factors that amplify this process. Together, they boost collagen remodeling and stimulate the production of essential collagen types (I, III, and VII), which are key to maintaining firm and youthful skin.
The micro-channels created during microneedling allow PRP’s growth factors – like TGF-β and EGF – to penetrate deeper into the skin layers that are most prone to wrinkles. This enhanced delivery system results in more noticeable structural improvements compared to microneedling alone.
Clinical research backs up these results. For instance, a 2016 study involving 50 participants found that microneedling combined with PRP led to a 62.20% reduction in wrinkles, compared to 45.84% with microneedling alone [3]. Another case from April 2016 highlights the effectiveness of this approach. Dr. Adriana Lombardi and Dr. Kristyna Lee treated a 60-year-old patient using the Eclipse MicroPen Elite and autologous PRP. After four passes at depths between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm, the patient showed significant improvements in fine lines, skin firmness, and tightening within one month [10].
“The additional growth factors and cytokines from the PRP act synergistically with the already stimulated neocollagenesis secondary to the needling, leading to more rapid collagen remodeling.” – Adriana Lombardi, MD, and Kristyna Lee, MD [10]
For the best results in reducing fine lines and enhancing skin firmness, most patients undergo 4 to 6 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart [10]. While some may notice an immediate glow, the most dramatic changes typically appear about a month after treatment, as collagen production reaches its peak. To protect the regenerating skin, it’s crucial to avoid sun exposure and use high-quality sunscreen for several weeks following the procedure [5].
5. Long-Term Results Using Your Own Biology
The beauty of combining microneedling with PRP lies in its ability to tap into your body’s natural healing processes for results that last far beyond the initial treatment. PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is derived from your own blood, making it a safe option with no risk of allergies or rejection. It starts with a simple blood draw, followed by processing the sample in a medical-grade centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. These platelets are then applied to your skin during the microneedling procedure.
The centrifuge process amplifies platelet concentration to levels 6–8 times higher than what’s naturally found in your blood [2]. These enriched platelets release growth factors like PDGF, TGF-β, and EGF, which signal your skin to ramp up cell turnover, produce more collagen and elastin, and create new capillaries. Since this approach works in harmony with your body’s natural healing cycles, the results unfold gradually as new collagen forms and your skin remodels itself from the inside out.
This partnership between treatment and biology accelerates cellular repair and regeneration, promoting healthier, more resilient skin over time.
“Modern skincare and wellness works in partnership with your body, encouraging its natural processes to restore, refresh and naturally enhance your cellular tissue.” – Julia Bifulco, Licensed Aesthetician, Bellagena Med Spa [1]
Research supports these benefits. A 2016 study involving 50 participants reported noticeable, gradual improvements that lasted up to nine months [3]. For enhancing skin elasticity, a series of three PRP treatments spaced one month apart has been shown to nearly double elasticity levels [6].
To get the most from this treatment, it’s important to prepare properly. Drink plenty of water before your blood draw, and ensure your provider uses a high-quality, closed-system centrifuge (like EmCyte) to preserve platelet purity. Most experts recommend scheduling treatments about four weeks apart, giving your body the time it needs to build fresh collagen between sessions [8].
Conclusion
Microneedling paired with PRP offers a powerful combination for achieving noticeable skin rejuvenation. Microneedling creates tiny channels in the skin, allowing PRP’s growth factors to penetrate deeply. Together, they promote collagen production, speed up recovery, improve skin tone and texture, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles – all while delivering results that look natural and last over time. This partnership between the two treatments explains why they’ve gained such popularity.
Clinical research backs up the effectiveness of this approach, showing better outcomes compared to microneedling alone. Many patients also report being more satisfied with the results and experiencing less downtime when the treatments are combined.
At Calista Aesthetics, we take a personalized approach to microneedling with PRP, tailoring each treatment to your specific skin concerns – whether it’s acne scars, fine lines, or uneven texture. During your consultation, our experts assess your skin’s condition, elasticity, and goals to create a custom plan. Typically, this involves an initial series of 3–4 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Since PRP is derived from your own blood, it works naturally with your body’s healing process, delivering gradual improvements that continue for months after your final session. This method highlights Calista Aesthetics‘ dedication to using your body’s natural abilities to achieve long-lasting skin rejuvenation.
FAQs
Microneedling gets a serious upgrade when paired with PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma). PRP delivers a concentrated mix of platelets and growth factors – like PDGF, TGF-β, and VEGF – straight to your skin. These elements kick your skin’s natural repair process into high gear, encouraging the production of collagen and elastin for smoother, firmer skin.
When used alongside microneedling, PRP speeds up tissue repair, shortens recovery time, and amplifies the rejuvenation effects. This powerful combination is a go-to for anyone looking to achieve advanced skin renewal and a healthy, radiant glow.
Recovery is generally straightforward and fast. Most people notice mild redness – much like a light sunburn – that typically subsides within a day or two. You can usually get back to your regular routine almost immediately after the procedure. When microneedling is paired with PRP, it can help speed up the healing process, making recovery even easier.
Results from microneedling with PRP often depend on factors such as your skin type, age, and daily skincare habits. Many individuals start to see smoother texture and a more even tone within just a few weeks, with improvements typically lasting for several months.
To maintain and extend these results, combining a series of treatments with a consistent at-home skincare routine is highly encouraged. Professionals, like the team at Calista Aesthetics, can help design a customized plan to suit your unique needs and goals.