Regenerative Medicine · PRP
PRP Therapy: What It Treats and What the Evidence Shows
How it works
How PRP Works
A small blood sample is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, which contain growth factors. The resulting platelet-rich plasma is injected into the target area — a joint, the scalp, or the skin — to support repair and stimulate cellular activity.
Because PRP is derived from your own blood and minimally processed, it carries a low risk of allergic or immune reaction.
Where evidence is strongest
Where the Evidence Supports PRP
Evidence is most supportive for knee osteoarthritis and certain tendon injuries (such as tennis elbow), where PRP may reduce pain and improve function for some patients. In dermatology, PRP is used for hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) and skin rejuvenation (the 'vampire facial'), with reasonable supporting evidence for hair.
Results vary between individuals and protocols, and PRP is not a guaranteed fix — it's one tool a physician may use among others.
Where it's weaker
Where Claims Outrun Evidence
PRP is marketed for a wide range of conditions where the evidence is thin or mixed. As with the broader regenerative field, honest framing means distinguishing the uses with real support from those sold on hope.
Regulatory status
PRP's Regulatory Status
Because PRP uses your own blood with minimal manipulation, it is regulated differently from manufactured stem cell or exosome products. It is widely and legally used, but it is not FDA-approved as a proven treatment for specific diseases — an important distinction from a clinic claiming it 'cures' a condition.
Cost
What PRP Costs
PRP typically costs $500–$2,500+ per session depending on the area treated and the number of sessions, and it is generally not covered by insurance. Hair and joint protocols often require a series of treatments.
Frequently asked
Common questions
Does PRP therapy actually work?
Evidence is most supportive for knee osteoarthritis, certain tendon injuries, and hair loss, where PRP helps some patients. Results vary by individual and protocol, and it is not a guaranteed treatment. Many marketed uses have weaker evidence.
Is PRP safe?
PRP has a strong safety profile because it uses your own blood with minimal processing, carrying low risk of allergic or immune reaction. The main risks are minor — bruising, soreness, or infection at the injection site.
Is PRP FDA-approved?
PRP is regulated differently from manufactured cell products because it uses your own blood, and it is widely and legally used — but it is not FDA-approved as a proven cure for specific conditions. Be cautious of clinics claiming otherwise.
How much does PRP cost?
Typically $500–$2,500 or more per session depending on the area and number of sessions, and it's generally not covered by insurance. Hair and joint treatments often require a series.
What's the difference between PRP and stem cell therapy?
PRP concentrates platelets and growth factors from your own blood and is widely used with a good safety record; most stem cell therapies marketed commercially are unapproved and investigational, with FDA safety warnings. They are not equivalent.
References
Sources
- 1.Platelet-rich plasma for osteoarthritis and tendinopathy — evidence review — peer-reviewed (e.g., AJSM / Cochrane), 2023.
- 2.Regenerative Medicine Therapies — consumer information — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2026.
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