A PRP session, step by step
Visit length depends on the preparation and the method; at Delight Dermatology Clinic in Seoul, a face PRP visit takes about 30–45 minutes. Redness, swelling and bruising are common after facial PRP, and in one trial all local reactions had resolved within two weeks.[1] Skin changes are judged over weeks; hair changes are measured over months.[2]
Written by the Seoul PRP editorial team and medically reviewed by a Korean Board-Certified Dermatologist (AAD International Fellow · ASLMS member). Last reviewed: .
What happens during a PRP appointment?
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Consultation | The doctor checks your goal, your skin or scalp, your medicines and your medical history, and confirms the plan and price. |
| Photos and numbing | Baseline photos are taken. For the face, numbing cream is often applied; ask which comfort options are available for the scalp. |
| Blood draw | A small sample is taken from your arm; the amount depends on the system and the area. |
| Spinning | The centrifuge separates the blood, and the platelet-rich plasma layer is collected. |
| Treatment | PRP is placed with many small injections, or spread over the skin during microneedling. |
| Finish | The skin is cleaned and soothed, and you receive aftercare instructions. |
Scalp visits are often shorter: the American Academy of Dermatology describes the hair procedure as taking about 10 minutes and usually needing no downtime (AAD hair loss treatment page, checked 18 October 2026). If you tend to feel faint during blood tests, say so at the start, and eat a normal meal beforehand.
What does skin look like after PRP?
Straight after treatment you will see pinpoint marks and small raised bumps where the PRP went in. In a controlled face trial, the common reactions were redness, swelling and bruising; they were linked to the injections rather than to the plasma, and all resolved within two weeks.[1]
Bruises show more easily on thin under-eye skin and can take several days to fade. Leave a margin before photos, meetings or events. After scalp PRP, hair hides most marks, and the AAD notes that the procedure usually needs no downtime.
What aftercare helps in the first week?
These are the aftercare instructions of Delight Dermatology Clinic in Seoul; follow the sheet your own clinic gives you.
- First 24 hours: leave the area alone. No makeup, rubbing or heat on the treated skin, so no sauna, jjimjilbang hot rooms or hot yoga.
- First week: no alcohol and no strong sun; use sunscreen every day.
- Pain relief: paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the usual choice. Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen dampen platelet activity, so ask before taking them.[3]
- Scalp: ask when you can wash your hair and when to restart topical treatments.
Seek emergency care immediately for any sudden change in vision after facial injections. Contact the clinic promptly for spreading redness, increasing warmth or pain, or pus.
When will I see results from PRP?
| Use | First signs | When to judge the result |
|---|---|---|
| Skin texture and tone | Over several weeks | Several weeks after a session; reassess after the course |
| Acne scars with microneedling | Over weeks to months | After the full course |
| Pattern hair loss | Less shedding within the first few months | 3–6 months, compared with baseline photos |
Results are easy to misjudge. In the controlled face trial, participants rated their PRP-treated cheek as smoother six months after a single treatment, while dermatologists scoring photos found no difference from saline.[1] Take your own photos in the same light, at the same angle and without makeup before each session, so that you and the doctor compare like with like. For hair, the AAD notes that people may notice they are losing less hair within the first few months (AAD).
Can I go sightseeing or fly after PRP?
PRP has no long recovery, so it fits a short trip. Keep the first day quiet, with no sauna and little sun, and leave alcohol for the second week. Book the session early in your stay, so that any bruising can fade and you have time for a check-up visit before you leave. Photos for social media are better planned for later in the trip.
Because PRP is given as a course, ask at the first visit how the next sessions will work if you live abroad. The session planning article covers spacing, missed sessions and maintenance.
Does PRP hurt?
Expect stinging from the injections. Numbing cream on the face and a steady technique keep it short, and the blood draw feels like a routine blood test.
When can I wear makeup after PRP?
Wait at least 24 hours, and longer if microneedling was part of the treatment. Follow the clinic’s exact instructions for your skin.
Can I exercise after PRP?
Light walking is fine on the day. Skip saunas and hot yoga for at least the first 24 hours, and ask the clinic before returning to hard workouts.