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PRPmed Knowledge · Aftercare
After PRP: which care suits the treatment?
Care after PRP treatment depends on the treated area, the skin's reaction and any combined procedures. The same rules therefore do not automatically apply to the face and scalp.
The priorities are to minimise irritation, maintain appropriate hygiene and agree on clear instructions with the treating clinic. Do not change prescribed medication yourself.
Professional information for medical practitioners, presented accessibly for patient communication. This article covers skin and scalp – not aftercare following tendon or joint injections.
PRP injections are not the same as PRP with microneedling
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, prepared from a person's own blood. For aftercare, it is particularly important to distinguish between injections at individual sites and additional treatment across the skin surface. Microneedling recommendations do not automatically apply to every PRP injection.[1][2]
This selection explains treatment types. It does not assess personal symptoms or replace an individual aftercare plan. All graphics are schematic.
What should be clarified after PRP?
The four panels can be opened individually. They provide guidance for discussion with the clinic, not a mandatory timetable.
Cleansing
When can the treated area be washed? Which product is suitable?
Cleanse gently, once the clinic's instructions for the specific procedure allow it. Do not scrub or rub vigorously with a towel.
UV & heat
Avoid intense direct sunlight and additional heat exposure while the skin remains sensitive.
Consider shade and suitable coverings. Apply sunscreen products only in accordance with the skin condition and aftercare plan.
Physical activity
Gentle everyday movement differs from exercise involving heavy sweating, friction or pressure.
Discuss returning to exercise with the clinic. Avoiding exercise for several weeks is not a general rule for PRP on skin or scalp.
Medication
Which painkillers are suitable in your case? How should prescribed medication be continued?
Do not stop or change anything yourself. This is particularly important for aspirin, other antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants.
Understanding medicationHygiene, skin protection and procedure-specific aftercare are sensible. However, for many precise time limits, direct comparative studies specifically after PRP on skin and scalp are lacking.[1][2]
Facial care after PRP: cleansing, cream and make-up
After injections alone
Mild redness, tenderness, swelling or small bruises may occur at the injection sites. Their extent and course should be consistent with the treatment.[1]
Do not massage or squeeze sensitive areas. Agree with the clinic on a gentle, low-irritation approach to cleansing and skin care. This does not imply a fixed washing ban for all PRP treatments.
After additional microneedling
The skin has been mechanically treated at numerous sites. The aftercare plan must account for this additional impact, as well as any combination with laser or other procedures.
Avoid make-up initially; the AAD recommends at least 24 hours for microneedling. The clinic determines when cleansing and skin care products are appropriate again.[2]
Which cream is suitable after PRP?
A cream must suit the skin's current condition. For irritated skin, simple products formulated to minimise irritation may be considered once approved by the clinic. The label “serum” or “aftercare” alone does not establish whether a product is suitable for freshly treated skin. Not every cosmetic product is intended for open or weeping skin.
Retinoids, exfoliants and other irritating active ingredients should not be resumed immediately after a procedure that stresses the skin without prior discussion. When the usual routine can resume depends on the procedure, the reaction and the specific product. Follow the doctor's instructions for prescribed skin treatments.
UV protection means more than sunscreen. Avoid intense direct UV exposure and seek shade. After microneedling or other procedures that stress the skin, agree with the clinic on when sunscreen products may be used. A high sun protection factor does not replace this discussion or other protective measures.[2]
Hair washing and scalp care after PRP
There is no single hourly rule for the first hair wash that applies to every PRP protocol. The treating clinic should specify when washing is allowed and whether a particular product should be paused temporarily. Additional procedures or pronounced skin reactions may require different instructions.
The first hair wash
Once washing is allowed again, wash gently, avoid vigorous rubbing and do not scratch sensitive injection sites with your fingernails. Follow the clinic's instructions for shampoo and other care products.
Tight headwear may press on sensitive areas. Pressure and friction are the relevant factors – not a blanket ban on all head coverings.
Minoxidil, styling and hair dye
Agree on a specific plan for minoxidil or other prescribed scalp products. Do not stop them yourself or resume them solely on the basis of a general online timetable.
For styling products and hair dye, the formulation and any ongoing scalp irritation may be relevant. Discuss planned use with the treating clinic beforehand.
Ibuprofen and other medication after PRP
Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can affect platelet function. Examples include ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen. However, these drugs differ in the extent and duration of their effects.[3]
This does not establish a general ban for at least 14 days after every PRP treatment. The frequently cited review by Leach and colleagues primarily examines platelet function and potential waiting periods before PRP injections. It does not demonstrate such an aftercare interval for the face or scalp.[3]
Do not stop prescribed medication yourself
This applies particularly to aspirin prescribed for vascular prevention, other antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants. The treating doctor and, where applicable, the prescribing doctor must assess benefits and risks together. An alternative painkiller should also be agreed on individually.
Tell the clinic which medications you take before treatment. Unexpectedly severe or increasing pain should be investigated rather than merely masked with additional painkillers.
When should symptoms be assessed by a doctor?
A mild local reaction can occur after injections. Whether symptoms are subsiding or increasing also matters. Using a person's own blood does not make the procedure risk-free.[1][4]
Seek prompt medical assessment
Do not simply wait and see
- Increasing redness, warmth or swelling
- Worsening or unusually severe pain
- Pus or unusual fluid discharge
- Fever, chills or feeling distinctly unwell
Contact the treating clinic on the same day if possible. If it cannot be reached, use an out-of-hours medical service or another appropriate medical facility.[4]
Immediate emergency care
Sudden visual disturbances after facial injections
If vision suddenly deteriorates or is lost, seek emergency medical help immediately. Do not wait for a routine follow-up appointment.
Severe eye complications after cosmetic PRP injections have been described in a case series. This does not allow a reliable estimate of their frequency.[5]
This overview is not exhaustive. Rapid deterioration or acute severe symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
Why fixed aftercare intervals have limited transferability
A study of PRP effectiveness does not automatically establish when hair washing, exercise or a particular cream is appropriate after treatment. This would require comparisons of specific aftercare strategies. Such direct data specifically for skin and scalp are limited.
The sources used here serve different purposes: dermatological literature provides context for the procedure; the AAD describes aftercare following microneedling; pharmacological studies examine platelet function. A patient information page provides practical warning signs. These sources should not be read as equivalent evidence for a universal PRP care plan.
Orthopaedic recommendations do not automatically apply to cosmetic treatments either. The 2026 international expert consensus concerns rehabilitation after PRP for chronic tendinopathies and is based predominantly on expert opinion. It is not an aftercare protocol for the face or scalp.[6]
Brief answers about care after PRP
When can I wash my face after PRP?
This depends on whether you had injections alone or an additional procedure such as microneedling. Follow your clinic's cleansing instructions. A general washing break of exactly 24 hours does not apply to every PRP treatment.
When can I wash my hair after PRP treatment?
The clinic should determine the timing based on the protocol used and your scalp's reaction. Once hair washing is allowed, proceed gently and avoid vigorous rubbing of sensitive areas.
How long must I avoid exercise and sauna after PRP?
There is no single evidence-based interval for all skin and scalp treatments. Discuss intense exercise, heavy sweating, heat and friction with the clinic. Rehabilitation recommendations following tendon or joint treatments cannot be transferred to these applications.
Can I apply make-up after PRP?
After microneedling, the AAD recommends at least 24 hours without make-up. For PRP injections alone, the recommendation depends on the injection sites, skin reaction and clinic instructions. A product should not be applied to open or weeping areas unless intended for that use.[2]
Do I always have to avoid ibuprofen for two weeks after PRP?
No. Such a general rule has not been established for all PRP treatments on skin and scalp. Some NSAIDs affect platelet function, which calls for an individual medical assessment. Do not stop or change prescribed medication yourself.[3]
Can appropriate care guarantee a better PRP result?
No. Aftercare aims to avoid unnecessary irritation and help identify complications promptly. It does not guarantee treatment success. Whether and to what extent a treatment works depends, among other factors, on the indication, procedure and individual circumstances.
Further reading
- Nanda S, Chauhan K, Shetty V, Dashore S, Bhatia S. Platelet-Rich Plasma in Aesthetics. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2021;12(Suppl 1):S41–S54. DOI: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_290_21.Dermatological review and professional recommendations; not a direct comparison of different aftercare intervals.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Microneedling can fade scars, uneven skin tone, and more.Patient information on microneedling, including aftercare and make-up; not universally transferable to PRP injections alone.
- Leach T, Huang B, Kramer N, Challa S, Winder RP. A Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Patients Taking Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs for Guideline Development. Cureus. 2024;16(10):e71706. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.71706.Review of platelet function and potential waiting periods before PRP injections; not evidence for a general 14-day period without NSAIDs afterwards.
- Nuffield Health. Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment (PRP).Patient information from a treatment provider; used here solely to explain potential warning signs, not as evidence of therapeutic superiority or fixed aftercare intervals.
- Karam EZ, Gan A, Muci Mendoza R, Martinez E, Perez E. Visual Loss after Platelet-rich Plasma Injection into the Face. Neuro-Ophthalmology. 2020;44(6):371–378. DOI: 10.1080/01658107.2020.1740936.Original case series on severe eye complications after facial injections. A case series does not allow a reliable estimate of frequency.
- Gremeaux V et al. Rehabilitation and return to activity after platelet-rich plasma injections in chronic tendinopathies: Consensus from international experts. PM R. 2026;18(8):843–851. DOI: 10.1002/pmrj.70087.Indication-specific expert consensus on tendinopathy; not a general recommendation for skin or scalp aftercare.
