PRP Injections: What It Is and What the Evidence Shows
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides PRP Injections?
An orthopedic surgeon, a doctor who treats bones and joints, may use PRP injections for injuries. A dermatologist, a medical doctor who treats skin, hair, and nails, may use them for hair loss. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. Blood is mainly a liquid called plasma. Blood also contains small solid parts called red cells, white cells, and platelets. Platelets contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors that are very important in the healing of injuries. PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in blood. The amount of platelets can be 5 to 10 times greater than usual.
What people use it for
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says PRP is effective in treating chronic tendon injuries, especially tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is a very common injury of the tendons on the outside of the elbow. PRP is also used as a hair loss treatment.
How to prepare
Several things can influence how well PRP works. They include the following.
- The area of the body being treated
- Your overall health
- Whether the injury is acute, such as from a fall, or chronic, an injury developing over time
- How the PRP is prepared, including the cellular makeup of the material that is injected
What happens during it
Blood is first drawn from you. The platelets are separated from the other blood cells by spinning the blood. This process is called centrifugation. These platelets are then injected into the injured site. For hair loss, the entire procedure takes about 10 minutes.
Recovery
After an Achilles tendinitis injection, pain at the area of injection may increase for the first week or two. It may be several weeks before you feel a benefit. For hair loss, the procedure usually does not require any downtime.
What the research shows and safety concerns
It is not exactly clear how PRP works. AAOS says current research studies to back up the claims in the media are lacking. AAOS says more scientific evidence is needed to know whether PRP is truly effective in other conditions. In surgery to repair torn rotator cuff tendons, the results so far show little or no benefit from PRP. AAOS says the risks of PRP are minimal. There may be increased pain at the injection site. Infection, tissue damage, and nerve injuries appear to be no more common than with cortisone injections. The American Academy of Dermatology says studies show that PRP can be a safe and effective hair loss treatment. For female-pattern hair loss specifically, the early findings show promise, but more studies are needed.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have bleeding that will not stop, trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, or fainting.
Who performs it
An orthopedic surgeon may use PRP for injuries to bones, joints, and tendons. A dermatologist may use PRP for hair loss. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails.
Common questions
What is in a PRP injection?
A PRP injection contains plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in blood. Platelets contain proteins called growth factors that are very important in the healing of injuries.
Does PRP work?
PRP appears to work for some problems, such as certain chronic tendon injuries. For broken bones, it has shown no significant benefit so far.
Is PRP made from my own blood?
Yes, PRP is made from a small amount of your blood.
Can PRP injections help with hair loss?
Yes, the American Academy of Dermatology says studies show that PRP can be a safe and effective hair loss treatment, but more studies are needed for female-pattern hair loss. You will need to return for repeat injections. Most patients return once a month for 3 months and then once every 3 to 6 months.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance.
Sources
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
- American Academy of Dermatology - Hair loss: Diagnosis and treatment
- American Academy of Dermatology - Thinning hair and hair loss: Could it be female pattern hair loss?
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
