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PRPMED KNOWLEDGE · PRE- & POST-CARE
PRP Treatment: Preparation and Aftercare for Skin and Hair
What should be discussed before PRP treatment? When is it appropriate to wash your hair, resume skincare or exercise? The answers depend on whether PRP is injected into the scalp or face, or combined with microneedling. This guide distinguishes between procedures and explains where recommendations are well supported—and where fixed timelines imply more certainty than the research provides.
Research updated: 30 August 2026For medical professionals and informed patients
This article does not replace an examination or individual aftercare instructions. Ask for a specific plan for your treatment before your appointment. Medication changes require consultation with a doctor.
Why there is no single PRP aftercare plan
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. It is prepared from your own blood. Its composition, intended application and accompanying procedures vary. A skin treatment involving a few injection sites affects tissue differently from microneedling across a larger area or a tendon injection.
Research does not provide a uniform aftercare plan either: a review of 187 studies in knee osteoarthritis found widely varying instructions. It did not investigate which timeline produces the best results. Orthopaedic protocols therefore cannot simply be used as instructions for the face or scalp. [1]
01
Preparation: what matters before your appointment
Preparation begins with your medical history, not a special cream. The more completely the clinic understands your current situation, the more accurately it can plan your treatment.
Mention medical conditions and skin changes
Report fever, current infections, inflamed areas at the treatment site and new health concerns before your appointment. Bleeding problems, abnormal blood test results, immunosuppression and a history of tumours should also be discussed. Whether treatment can proceed or should be postponed must be decided individually. A GRIIP consensus distinguishes between these situations, but concerns the musculoskeletal system and is largely based on expert opinion. It does not give blanket approval for aesthetic treatments. [2]
List all medication and products
Bring an up-to-date list of prescription medication, over-the-counter painkillers, supplements and products applied to the skin or scalp. Also mention corticosteroid treatments and any previous reactions to disinfectants or anaesthetics. If microneedling is planned alongside PRP, relevant information includes a history of herpes and current or recently completed isotretinoin treatment. [3]
Prepare for the blood draw
Before a blood draw, it is generally sensible to have eaten and had enough to drink to help prevent feeling faint. Different instructions regarding fasting or fluid intake take priority, for example when sedation is planned or certain medical conditions are present. Drinking more water has not been shown to make PRP more effective. [4]
Plan for the time afterwards
Ask in advance how to clean the area, which skincare is suitable, which painkiller might be appropriate if needed and when you may resume topical medicines. Ask whom to contact if you have questions. As visible skin reactions are possible, it may be sensible not to schedule treatment immediately before an important social event.
02
Medication: laboratory findings are not instructions to stop treatment
Some medicines affect platelet function or bleeding risk. This does not automatically mean they make PRP treatment ineffective. The active ingredient, dose, reason for taking the medicine and risks of interruption all matter.
| Medication group | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Aspirin and other antiplatelet medicines | Do not stop taking them on your own. The GRIIP knee consensus highlights the potentially serious consequences of interrupting medically necessary antiplatelet treatment. Any possible effect on PRP must be weighed against these risks. [6] |
| Anticoagulants | Medicines such as apixaban, rivaroxaban or phenprocoumon are not NSAIDs and work differently from aspirin. Discuss their use and bleeding risk with a doctor beforehand; do not change the dose or timing yourself. |
| NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen | Laboratory studies provide reasons for medical review. They do not establish a general 7- or 14-day break for skin and hair treatments. Again, do not change necessary treatment on your own. [7], [8] |
| Paracetamol | May be a pain relief option, depending on the individual situation. A small study using intravenous administration showed short-term laboratory changes; it does not demonstrate harm to PRP outcomes from usual oral use as needed. Contraindications and dose limits still apply. [9] |
A study of twelve healthy men found altered release of certain growth factors after aspirin use, depending on the activation pathway. It did not investigate treatment outcomes in skin or hair. The statement ‘aspirin makes PRP ineffective’ would therefore be unjustified. [7]
03
Which aftercare suits which procedure?
Open the relevant card. The schematic illustrations show differences between procedures; they are not injection instructions. You can open several cards at once.
PRP for the scalpInjections without additional microneedlingOpen advice
Cleansing and topical medicines
Direct comparative evidence has not established an optimal waiting time for hair washing across all PRP procedures. Ask when you may wash your hair and which products to use. The injection sites, local reaction and specific instructions are what matter—not a supposed risk of ‘washing out’ injected growth factors with shampoo.
According to its product information, topical minoxidil is intended for a healthy scalp, not inflamed, infected or painful areas. Clarify when to restart it in advance, particularly if needling is also performed. This does not establish a blanket 24- or 48-hour break. Do not change an oral treatment based on this advice about topical products. [10]
Ask the clinic: when can I wash my hair and resume my specific scalp product?
PRP injections in the faceIndividual injection sites, no resurfacing across the areaOpen advice
Local reactions and suitable skincare
Tenderness, minor swelling or bruising can occur after injections. Skincare depends on the injection sites and skin condition. Additional massage, exfoliation or active ingredients should not be added to aftercare without appropriate instructions. [4]
A cream is not suitable simply because it is marketed as ‘post-treatment’. Its formulation and intended use are what matter. In the literature reviewed here, we found no robust evidence that a specific cosmetic aftercare product generally enhances the effect of injected PRP.
Ask the clinic: which cleansing and skincare are recommended for my current skin reaction?
PRP with microneedlingAdditional disruption of the skin barrierOpen advice
Skin barrier, tolerability and combined procedures
Microneedling treats a larger skin area with many small punctures. Depth and intensity affect aftercare. The American Academy of Dermatology advises avoiding make-up for 24 hours after microneedling. This is a procedure-specific recommendation, not a general PRP timeframe or automatic permission to use make-up on skin that is still broken or very irritated. [11]
Ordinary cosmetics cannot automatically be considered suitable for freshly treated skin. The clinic must specify which products can be used and when. PRP combined with laser or radiofrequency also requires aftercare for the respective procedure; these combinations are not equivalent to PRP injections alone. [3]
Ask the clinic: what additional restrictions follow from the needling or laser protocol?
Schematic illustration, not to scale
04
Hair washing, skincare, exercise and sauna: everyday questions
Specific clinic instructions can certainly include timeframes. They should clearly match the procedure actually performed. A commonly used interval is not automatically the scientifically proven best interval.
| Topic | How to approach it |
|---|---|
| Cleansing | Ask the clinic to specify timing and products for your procedure. A blanket ‘no water for 24 hours’ rule is not sufficiently supported for all PRP applications. |
| Retinol, acids and exfoliants | Avoid further irritation when skin is irritated, and agree when to restart. We found no robust basis for a general six-week restriction after every PRP treatment. |
| Sun protection | Take care with UV exposure after skin treatments. Shade and suitable covering are particularly relevant while the skin cannot tolerate ordinary products. Use sunscreen appropriate to the stage of healing; the AAD recommends broad-spectrum protection of SPF 30 or higher for healed wounds. [12] |
| Exercise and sauna | Discuss intense exercise, heat and heavy sweating in relation to the procedure and local reaction. Orthopaedic rehabilitation plans lasting weeks do not automatically apply to scalp treatment. |
| Cooling | Neither ‘always cool the area’ nor ‘cold destroys PRP’ is a universally valid rule. Even the current tendon consensus remained uncertain about the possible effect of ice on PRP efficacy. Follow the instructions for your procedure. [13] |
05
Which reactions need medical assessment?
Mild local symptoms can occur. Their progression also matters: if pain, redness or swelling become noticeably worse, they should not simply be explained as a desirable ‘healing response’.
Seek prompt medical advice
Increasing pain, spreading redness, marked warmth, pus, fever or chills. Among other causes, these signs may indicate an infection. Contact the treating clinic or a medical service. If you have fever, chills or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek medical assessment the same day. [14]
An immediate emergency
Sudden visual disturbances after facial injections require immediate emergency medical or ophthalmological assessment. Do not wait until your next follow-up appointment. Case reports describe ocular vascular occlusions after cosmetic PRP injections; they cannot establish how frequently this occurs. [15]
06
Checklist for the treatment discussion
These questions can be answered together before your appointment. They do not replace individual medical clearance, but help avoid unclear aftercare instructions.
- Will treatment involve injections only, or also microneedling, laser or another procedure?
- Have all medicines, supplements and topical products been considered?
- Do current skin changes, infections or existing medical conditions need assessment first?
- When, how and with which product should I clean the treated area?
- Which skincare and painkiller are suitable for me if needed?
- When may I resume topical medicines, make-up, exercise and sauna visits?
- Which reactions should I expect, and which signs should I report?
- Whom can I contact if problems arise, including outside normal clinic hours?
07
Frequently asked questions about PRP preparation and aftercare
Do I need to fast before PRP?
Fasting is not generally required for a blood draw alone. Having eaten and had enough to drink can help prevent feeling faint. If the clinic gives different instructions, for example because sedation is planned, or if you have a fluid restriction, those instructions apply. [4]
Can I take ibuprofen after PRP?
Discuss pain relief with the treating clinic. NSAIDs can affect platelet function; this does not establish a universal break for all skin and hair treatments. Do not stop necessary medication on your own. [7], [8]
When can I wash my hair after PRP?
Ask for timing specific to your procedure. Direct comparative evidence has not established a washing interval that applies to every scalp PRP treatment. Additional microneedling may require different advice from individual injections.
When can I use make-up and retinol again?
That depends on the procedure and skin condition. The AAD advises avoiding make-up for 24 hours after microneedling. This does not automatically mean irritated or broken skin is ready for it. Agree individually when to restart retinol, acids and other irritating products. [11]
Is a special cream necessary after PRP?
Appropriate skincare can form part of the treatment plan, especially after microneedling. This research found no general evidence that a special cosmetic cream enhances the effect of injected PRP. Product suitability and skin condition matter more than a marketing claim.
Does more redness mean a better effect?
The intensity of redness does not reliably predict treatment success. Clearly worsening symptoms need assessment, particularly with warmth, pus or fever. Mild symptoms do not prove treatment was ineffective either. [14]
Sources and interpretation
This article is based on a targeted literature search, not a complete systematic review. Laboratory findings, clinical studies, expert consensus and general safety information are assessed separately. Linked sources may be in English. Each source's scope limits how far its findings can be applied elsewhere.
- Levine et al. (2024). Postinjection protocols following platelet-rich plasma administration for knee osteoarthritis.Review
- Eymard et al. / GRIIP (2025). Indications and contraindications to PRP injections in musculoskeletal diseases.Expert consensus
- FDA. Microneedling Devices.Safety information
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections.Patient information
- Platzer et al. (2026). Dietary Patterns and the Molecular Composition of Platelet-Rich Plasma.Original study
- Eymard et al. / GRIIP (2021). Intra-articular injections of PRP in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.Expert consensus
- Jayaram et al. (2019). Effects of Aspirin on Growth Factor Release From LR-PRP in Healthy Men.Laboratory study
- Mannava et al. (2019). The Influence of Naproxen on Biological Factors in LR-PRP.Laboratory study
- Munsterhjelm et al. (2005). Dose-dependent Inhibition of Platelet Function by Acetaminophen.Laboratory study
- axunio Pharma. Minoxidil 5% w/v cutaneous spray, solution: SmPC.Product information
- American Academy of Dermatology. Microneedling can fade scars, uneven skin tone, and more.Professional society
- American Academy of Dermatology. Minimize a scar: Proper wound care tips.Professional society
- Gremeaux et al. / GRIIP (2026). Rehabilitation and return to activity after PRP in chronic tendinopathies.Expert consensus
- Nuffield Health. Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment (PRP).Patient information
- Karam et al. (2020). Visual Loss after Platelet-rich Plasma Injection into the Face.Case series
- CDC (2024). Investigation of Presumptive HIV Transmission Associated with PRP Microneedling Facials.Investigation report