Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses your body’s own healing properties to rejuvenate skin, restore hair growth, and support women’s health, all without surgery or downtime. At The Ottawa Clinic, our team can help you explore whether PRP is the right fit for your goals, from a natural refresh to targeted relief for specific health concerns.
- What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
- PRP Therapy Benefits
- PRP Therapy Candidates
- PRP Treatment Process
- PRP Therapy Recovery
- PRP Therapy Safety
- How Long PRP Injections Last
- PRP Therapy Cost
PRP Therapy at a Glance
- Potential Benefits: PRP therapy stimulates hair growth, improves skin texture and firmness, and supports women’s health through the PRP-Shot, addressing sexual discomfort and vaginal rejuvenation.
- Candidates: Good candidates are generally healthy patients looking for a non-surgical way to improve hair density, skin quality, or address specific women’s health concerns. Certain blood disorders or active infections may affect candidacy.
- Procedure: Treatment begins with a quick blood draw, which is spun in a centrifuge to isolate the plasma. The plasma is then injected into the treatment area. The entire process usually takes under an hour.
- Recovery: There is little to no downtime. Mild redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site typically resolves within a day or two, and most patients return to their normal routine immediately.
- Longevity: Initial improvements often appear within a few weeks, with full results developing over three to six months. A series of sessions is typically recommended, followed by periodic maintenance treatments.
- Providers: Our dermatologist, Dr. Chloé Ward, performs PRP therapy at The Ottawa Clinic, tailoring each treatment plan to the patient’s individual goals.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma is derived from your own blood. A small sample is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets, which are rich in growth factors that support tissue repair and regeneration. Once isolated, this plasma is injected into the treatment area, where it stimulates collagen production, improves circulation, and encourages the body’s natural healing response. Because PRP comes from your own blood, the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is minimal.
What Are the Benefits of PRP Therapy?
PRP therapy is a versatile treatment with applications across several areas of aesthetic and medical care, including hair restoration, facial rejuvenation, and women’s health.
Hair Loss
Many patients turn to PRP for hair loss, as the growth factors help stimulate dormant follicles and improve circulation to the scalp. Over a series of sessions, this can lead to noticeably thicker, fuller hair and a reduction in shedding. PRP is often combined with other hair restoration treatments to maximize results, and most patients see continued improvement over several months as new growth cycles take hold.
Facial Rejuvenation
Others use PRP for facial rejuvenation, where the growth factors stimulate collagen production to improve skin texture, tone, and firmness. Over time, this can soften fine lines, even out skin tone, and restore a healthier, more radiant glow. PRP is often paired with microneedling to enhance absorption and results, and many patients return periodically to maintain their refreshed appearance.
Women’s Health
PRP also plays a role in women’s health through the PRP-Shot, a quick and comfortable in-office treatment used to rejuvenate the vagina and labia majora. Because PRP is derived from your own blood, its high concentration of growth factors helps increase vascularization and generate healthy new tissue. Many patients turn to the PRP-Shot to reduce sexual discomfort, improve natural lubrication, and support overall rejuvenation.
Am I a Candidate for PRP Therapy?
Good candidates for PRP therapy are generally in good overall health and looking for a non-surgical way to improve hair density, skin quality, or address specific women’s health concerns. Because PRP uses your own blood, most patients are eligible. That said, certain blood disorders, active infections, or some medications may affect candidacy. The best way to know if PRP is right for you is a consultation, where your provider can review your medical history and goals to determine whether PRP, or a combination of treatments, will give you the best results.
What Does PRP Treatment Involve?
PRP treatment begins with a quick blood draw, similar to routine bloodwork. The sample is placed in a centrifuge and spun for several minutes to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. Once prepared, the plasma is injected directly into the treatment area, whether that’s the scalp, face, or another target site. A topical numbing agent is often applied beforehand to keep you comfortable. The entire process, from draw to injection, usually takes under an hour, and most patients describe the sensation as mild and well tolerated.
What Can I Expect in My PRP Therapy Recovery?
PRP therapy involves little to no downtime, which is one of its biggest appeals. After treatment, you may notice mild redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site, similar to what you’d expect after any injection. These effects typically resolve within a day or two.
Most patients return to their normal routine immediately, though we recommend avoiding strenuous exercise, direct sun exposure, and harsh skincare products for a short period afterward. Results build gradually as collagen production increases and tissue repair takes place, so patience is part of the process.
Is PRP Therapy Safe?
Yes, PRP therapy is considered safe when performed on ideal candidates. Because PRP is created from your own blood, it carries a very low risk of allergic reaction, rejection, or disease transmission compared to treatments using synthetic materials. As with any injection, there’s a small risk of bruising, swelling, or infection at the injection site, but serious complications are rare. To ensure the safest experience, PRP therapy should always be performed by a qualified, experienced provider using proper sterile technique.
How Long Do PRP Injections Last?
Results vary depending on the treatment area and individual response, but most patients see initial improvements within a few weeks, with full results developing over three to six months as collagen rebuilds. For hair restoration, a series of sessions is typically needed, followed by periodic maintenance treatments to sustain results. For facial rejuvenation, effects generally last several months to a year, and many patients choose to return for touch-up sessions to maintain their results long term.
How Much Does PRP Therapy Cost?
The cost of PRP therapy depends on the treatment area, the number of sessions needed, and whether it’s combined with other procedures. Because pricing is tailored to your specific goals, the most accurate way to get a cost estimate is through a personalized consultation. Our team can walk you through pricing, session recommendations, and any available financing options so you can make an informed decision about your treatment plan.
Ready to Learn More About PRP Therapy in Ottawa?
If you’re curious whether PRP therapy could help you meet your hair, skin, or health goals, our team is here to help. Schedule a consultation today at The Ottawa Clinic to discuss your options and build a treatment plan tailored to you.