What is PRP

Platelet-rich plasma - PRP for short - has been used in sports medicine and wound healing for decades. Its arrival in aesthetics brought a wave of dramatic before-and-afters and equally dramatic claims. The honest picture is more nuanced: for certain concerns, PRP has real evidence behind it; for others, the research is thin. This article walks you through exactly how it works, where the science holds up, what a treatment course looks like, and the questions worth asking before you book. For a broader look at the treatment category, see our full PRP treatment overview.

How PRP is made

PRP starts with a small blood draw - typically 10-30 ml from your own arm, about the same as a standard blood test. That sample goes into a centrifuge, a machine that spins at high speed to separate blood into its components by density.

1. 1Blood draw - a clinician draws a small sample from your arm.
2. 2First spin - the centrifuge separates red blood cells (heaviest) from plasma and platelets (lighter).
3. 3Second spin - the plasma layer is spun again to concentrate the platelets further.
4. 4Activation (optional) - some protocols add calcium chloride or thrombin to activate the platelets before injection; others rely on tissue contact to trigger release.
5. 5Injection or micro-needling - the concentrated plasma is applied to the treatment area within minutes of preparation.

Platelets are best known for clotting blood, but they also carry growth factors - signalling proteins that prompt nearby cells to repair, multiply, and produce collagen. When concentrated plasma is delivered into tissue, those growth factors are released locally at higher-than-normal levels.1

What the evidence supports - and what it does not

PRP research is active but uneven. Some indications have multiple randomised controlled trials behind them; others have only small case series or lab-bench studies. Here is an honest breakdown.

Who is a good candidate

Because PRP uses your own blood, the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is very low. That said, it is not suitable for everyone. If you are exploring options for hair loss or acne scarring, understanding whether PRP fits your specific situation starts with knowing which category you fall into below.

• Good candidates: Adults with early-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia, those looking to improve skin texture and fine lines, people seeking to support recovery after resurfacing or micro-needling procedures.
• Less likely to respond well: People with advanced hair loss (where follicles are no longer present), those with low baseline platelet counts, or anyone who has smoked heavily for years (which affects platelet function).
• Not suitable: Active infection or skin condition at the treatment site, blood disorders or clotting conditions, anyone on anticoagulant therapy (blood thinners), active cancer or those receiving chemotherapy, pregnancy (insufficient safety data).1

For a wider look at hair loss treatments and how PRP compares to other options, that guide covers the full range.

PRP and darker skin tones

For Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI - common across South Asian, Arab, and African backgrounds - one of the frequent concerns with aesthetic treatments is the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Because PRP is injected rather than delivered via heat or light energy, it does not carry the same direct PIH risk that laser-based treatments do. When PRP is combined with micro-needling, depth and needle calibre matter: a practitioner experienced with deeper skin tones will adjust the protocol to minimise surface trauma. Ask specifically about their experience treating your skin tone before proceeding.

What a treatment course looks like

PRP is almost never a one-session treatment. Most published protocols for hair loss and skin rejuvenation follow an induction phase and a maintenance phase.

• Induction: 3-4 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart. This is where most of the active change happens.
• Maintenance: 1-2 sessions per year to sustain results, though individual response varies widely.
• Session length: Around 30-60 minutes including blood draw, spin, and injection. You leave the same day.
• Downtime: Minimal. Expect redness, mild swelling, and pinpoint bruising at injection sites for 24-48 hours.
• Onset: PRP stimulates biological processes that take time. Most people see early changes at 6-8 weeks; full response is typically assessed at 3-6 months.3

Side effects and contraindications

Because the plasma comes from your own body, systemic reactions are rare. Localised side effects are the main consideration.1

• Common and expected: Redness, swelling, and bruising at injection sites lasting 24-72 hours.
• Less common: Temporary headache after scalp injections; mild itching as healing begins.
• Rare: Infection (risk is low with sterile technique; rises sharply if technique is poor), nerve injury, scarring.
• Scalp-specific: Temporary increase in shedding (called a 'purge') in the first few weeks is reported anecdotally and may reflect follicle cycling - it typically resolves.

What PRP costs in the UAE

PRP pricing in Dubai and across the UAE varies considerably. For a single session you can expect to see a range of roughly AED 800 to AED 2,500, depending on the area treated, the number of tubes processed, the clinic's preparation equipment, and the seniority of the clinician performing the procedure.

• Area treated: A full scalp protocol uses more PRP volume than a facial treatment.
• Equipment quality: Medical-grade centrifuge systems with validated kits produce more consistent platelet concentrations than lower-cost alternatives. Ask what system is being used.
• Clinician seniority: A dermatologist performing the procedure will typically cost more than a nurse or technician. For hair loss in particular, a dermatologist can also assess and diagnose the underlying cause - which matters for treatment planning.
• Package pricing: Clinics often discount a course of three or four sessions. Compare total course cost, not just per-session price, to get a fair comparison.
• What to watch for: Very low pricing (under AED 500) may reflect unvalidated kits, lower platelet concentration outputs, or reduced preparation time - each of which affects the quality of the end product.

Questions to ask at your consultation

How to read PRP marketing claims

PRP sits in a part of aesthetics where marketing enthusiasm tends to outpace the clinical literature. A few patterns worth recognising:

• 'Natural' as a quality claim. Using your own blood does reduce certain risks, but 'natural' does not mean automatically effective or risk-free. The preparation protocol matters as much as the source.
• Celebrity or influencer association. PRP became famous partly through high-profile endorsements. Celebrity outcomes are not clinical evidence, and their preparation protocols, clinician quality, and concurrent treatments are rarely disclosed.
• Before-and-after photos as proof. Single case photos cannot show you average outcomes. Ask what percentage of patients the clinic sees achieve the result shown, and over what timeline.
• 'Stem cell PRP' or 'exosome-enhanced PRP.' These are marketing descriptors for add-ons whose specific benefit in aesthetic PRP is not well established. If these are offered, ask for the clinical evidence, not the brochure.