Frequently Asked Questions

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is an advanced regenerative medicine treatment that uses concentrated growth factors from your own blood to accelerate natural tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and stimulate cellular regeneration.

Because PRP is 100% autologous (derived from your own body), it offers a safe, natural alternative to surgery or cortisone shots with virtually no risk of allergic reaction.

How PRP Therapy Works

Blood Draw: A small sample of your blood is drawn, similar to a routine lab test.

Double-Spin Concentration: The sample is processed in a specialized centrifuge to isolate and concentrate the platelets—yielding up to ~10 or higher concentration of growth factors than baseline blood.

Targeted Delivery: The concentrated plasma is precisely injected into damaged tissue, joints, or skin, triggering your body’s natural healing cascade.

Common Applications for PRP

Orthopedics & Joint Pain: Knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears, tendonitis, and ligament sprains.

Hair Restoration: Stimulates dormant hair follicles to reverse thinning and promote thicker growth.

Aesthetic Rejuvenation: Enhances facial collagen production, improves skin tone, and smooths fine lines. And also can rejuvenate wrinkles around eyes. 

While Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is exceptionally safe because it uses your own blood, it is not suitable for everyone. Candidates are evaluated based on their underlying medical conditions, current medications, and platelet health.

Absolute Contraindications (Who Should Avoid PRP)

Low Platelet Count or Blood Disorders: Severe thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction syndrome, or anemia.

Active Cancer or Malignancy: Especially bone cancer, blood cancers, or active tumors in the treatment area.

Active Systemic or Local Infection: Any active infection in the body or specifically at the intended injection site.

Severe "Bone-on-Bone" Osteoarthritis: While PRP works exceptionally well for mild-to-moderate joint degeneration, end-stage cartilage loss yields less predictable results.

Temporary or Relative Exclusions

Blood-Thinning Medications: Patients on anticoagulants (like Coumadin, Plavix, or Eliquis) or high-dose NSAIDs who cannot safely pause them under medical supervision prior to treatment.

Pregnancy or Breastfeeding: PRP is typically postponed during pregnancy and nursing as a precautionary measure.

Recent Cortisone/Steroid Injections: Steroids suppress the inflammatory healing response triggered by PRP; patients typically need to wait aroung 4 weeks after a cortisone shot before receiving PRP.

Patients typically notice initial pain relief from a PRP injection in a joint or tendon within 3 to 5 weeks.

However, Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy is a biological process, not an instant masking agent like cortisone. The timeline for maximum benefit depends on the tissue type: structural tendon remodeling typically takes longer, while significant functional improvement and pain reduction in osteoarthritic joints can be observed for months.

PRP Joint & Tendon Recovery Milestones

This timeline assumes a double-spin PRP preparation (up to 11x concentration) which is essential for initiating meaningful tissue repair in weight-bearing joints and complex tendons.

Weeks 1–3 (Inflammatory Healing Phase): PRP growth factors activate, triggering a necessary inflammatory healing cascade. Mild soreness and stiffness at the injection site are normal. Avoid anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs).

Weeks 4–6 (Initial Functional Gain): Tissue repair is underway. Patients often report reduced joint grinding (crepitus), improved range of motion, and decreased tendon tenderness.

Months 2–4 (Peak Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Joints): This is often when patients with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis (knees, hips, shoulders) notice the most profound reduction in pain, allowing for a return to normal daily activity and low-impact exercise.

Months 3–6+ (Peak Tendon Remodeling & Strength): Collagen matrix remodeling in tendons (Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff) continues to mature. Measurable gains in structural strength and capacity are achieved during this period, often enhanced by customized physical therapy.

A typical Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) procedure is a fast, safe, in-office treatment that takes around 60 minutes from start to finish. ( Done by our Doctor at SD PRP)

Step-by-Step Procedure Workflow

Targeted Blood Draw (5–10 Minutes): A small sample of your blood (typically 30 to 60 mL) is drawn from your arm, similar to a routine blood test.

Double-Spin Centrifugation (15–20 Minutes): Your blood is placed in a specialized, high-grade centrifuge for a precise two-stage separation process. The first spin separates red and white blood cells; the second spin isolates and concentrates pure platelets to ~11x baseline levels.

Site Preparation & Numbing (10 Minutes): The target area (joint, tendon, scalp, or face) is thoroughly cleansed, and local anesthetic or topical numbing cream is applied to maximize your comfort.

Precision Injection (20–25 Minutes): Your concentrated PRP is drawn into a sterile syringe and precisely injected into the targeted tissue— guided by ultrasound imaging to ensure exact placement directly into the injured area or joint space.

Post-Procedure: You can return home immediately following your treatment. Most patients resume light, normal daily activities the same day.

At SD PRP Clinic, we utilize the EmCyte  PurePRP® SP system—an advanced, FDA-cleared, closed-system technology that employs a precise double-spin centrifugation technique.

Unlike basic single-spin kits used at many standard clinics, our specialized double-spin protocol isolates pure growth factors while virtually eliminating inflammatory red blood cells (RBCs) and granulocytes.

Why Our Double-Spin PurePRP® Technique Delivers Superior Results:

Ultra-High Platelet Concentration (~11x Baseline): While single-spin systems typically yield only ~1.5x platelet concentrations, our EmCyte system achieves therapeutic concentrations ~11  times above baseline blood levels, delivering a massive dose of growth factors directly to the damaged tissue.

Red Blood Cell (RBC) Elimination: Red blood cells cause cellular oxidation and significant post-injection pain and inflammation. Our system removes >99% of red blood cells, leading to a cleaner, far more comfortable treatment and recovery process.

Leukocyte-Optimized Formulations: We can customize the white blood cell concentration based on your specific treatment area—optimizing for anti-inflammatory joint repair, tendon healing, hair restoration, or aesthetic rejuvenation.

FDA-Cleared Medical Safety: Using an FDA-cleared, closed-system kit ensures sterile processing, maximum biological purity, and optimal clinical safety for every patient.

Ultrasound-Guided Injection Precision: Using real-time, high-definition musculoskeletal ultrasound, we visualize your joint structures, tendons, or nerves during the procedure. This guarantees 100% accurate needle placement directly into the targeted pathology—maximizing pain relief and tissue healing while avoiding surrounding blood vessels or nerves.

The Clinical Advantage: Published orthobiologic research demonstrates that clinical outcomes in joint, hair, and soft tissue repair are directly correlated with platelet dose and pure plasma concentrations. Our high-yield double-spin protocol ensures you receive maximum regenerative potential in every session.

The main difference between single spin and double spin PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is the centrifugation process and PRP Kits , which dictates the final platelet concentration and clinical efficacy:

Single Spin PRP: Uses a single centrifugation cycle, lower amount of blood, typically achieving a lower platelet and growh factor concentration (~ 1.5x  baseline blood levels). While faster to prepare, it also contains a higher proportion of red and white blood cells, which can trigger unwanted inflammation.

Double Spin PRP: Uses a precise two-stage centrifugation process to separate red blood cells first, then concentrate pure platelets. And larger amount of blood is used. This yields a therapeutic concentration ~12 x higher than baseline blood levels, dramatically improving clinical outcomes for hair restoration, skin rejuvenation, and joint and tendon therapy.

Key Takeaway: Double spin PRP is widely considered the gold standard in regenerative medicine because higher platelet concentrations deliver a denser concentration of growth factors directly to the targeted tissue. At SD PRP Clinic, we always use DS PRP and high quality PRP Kits to separate platelets and growth factos.

Yes, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is highly effective for patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis, patellar tendinitis, and chronic ligament strains who want to avoid or delay invasive knee surgery. Clinical studies show that high-concentration PRP can significantly reduce inflammation, improve joint mobility, and provide pain relief lasting 6 to 12 months or longer.

However, PRP may not be worth it for severe, "bone-on-bone" end-stage arthritis, where structural cartilage loss limits regenerative potential.

You can walk immediately after a PRP knee injection. Most patients are able to bear full weight right away without assistance. However, while light walking is safe, you should strictly limit walking to short, necessary distances and avoid strenuous exercise for the first 48 to 72 hours to allow the concentrated growth factors to remain in the joint space and initiate the healing process.

Post-PRP Knee Recovery Timeline

Days 1–3 (Initial Healing Phase): Light walking only. Avoid stair climbing, prolonged standing, and high-impact activities. Mild soreness or stiffness is normal as the inflammatory healing cascade activates.

Days 4–14 (Gradual Return): You can resume normal daily walking activities. Hold off on running, heavy lifting, or high-impact sports.

Week 2 and Beyond: Gradually return to full physical activities and exercise, following your physician's specific post-procedure protocol.

Recovery Tip: Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, or Advil) for at least 2 weeks post-injection, as they can block the natural inflammatory response triggered by PRP that drives tissue repair.

Yes, PRP injections can structurally heal partial tendon tears and chronic tendinopathy throughout the body. By injecting concentrated growth factors directly into the injury site under ultrasound guidance, PRP stimulates collagen repair, improves load capacity, and helps 50% to 70% of patients avoid surgery.Commonly treated areas include partial tears of the rotator cuff, Achilles tendon, patellar tendon (jumper's knee), gluteal tendons, and hamstring.

However, PRP alone cannot reattach a complete, full-thickness tendon tear that has retracted from the bone.

Clinical Key: Because tendons have limited blood supply, exact needle placement via ultrasound guidance is critical to deliver platelets directly inside the tear gap to jumpstart biological healing.

Yes, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is clinically proven to regrow hair and reverse thinning. By injecting concentrated growth factors into the scalp, PRP awakens dormant hair follicles, increases blood flow to the follicle matrix, and extends the active growth (anagen) phase of hair.

At SD PRP Clinic, all hair restoration procedures are performed directly by our physician using a dual-action protocol: high-concentration double-spin PRP combined with scalp microneedling.

Why Our Physician-Led Dual Protocol Gets Better Results:

High-Concentration Double-Spin PRP: We isolate pure, high-potency plasma containing ~11x baseline growth factor levels, delivering maximum biological stimulation compared to low-grade single-spin kits.

Combined Scalp PRP Microneedling: By performing PRP microneedling alongside PRP injections, we create thousands of microscopic micro-channels across the scalp. This fully saturates the hair follicles and significantly accelerates neovascularization (the formation of new blood vessel networks supplying the hair roots).

Physician-Performed Precision: Every treatment is personally administered by our doctor—ensuring precise injection depth, scalp coverage, and patient safety.

Currently, Medicare and most private health insurance plans do not cover Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, as they classify it as an elective or investigational procedure. Because of this, PRP injections are paid out-of-pocket. However, many patients use Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards to pay for their PRP treatments. 

At SD PRP Clinic, our Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment costs start at $650. The exact price of PRP therapy varies depending on several key factors:

• Single Spin vs. Double Spin: We exclusively use advanced double-spin PRP to achieve optimal platelet concentration.
• Ultrasound Guidance: Precision placement using ultrasound imaging (essential for complex joint and tendon treatments).
• PRP Kit Quality: High-grade, medical-grade separation kits for maximum purity and effectiveness.
• Provider Expertise: Treatment administered directly by a board-certified physician.

We are proud to offer the most competitive PRP pricing in the area. To view detailed costs for your specific condition,

https://www.sdprp.com/pricing

Yes! In most cases, you can use your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) card to pay for medical PRP injections.

The quickest way to check is right through our online system: simply select your procedure on [https://calendly.com/mysdprp] and enter your HSA or FSA card at checkout. If your card processes successfully, your tax-advantaged funds are approved and applied directly to your service.

We also recommend saving your itemized receipt in case your plan administrator requests documentation.

While Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is remarkably safe because it uses your own blood, the main downsides include out-of-pocket costs (as it is rarely covered by insurance), temporary post-injection soreness, and varying results depending on the provider’s preparation method.

Unlike cortisone shots which provide immediate synthetic numbing, PRP initiates a biological healing process that takes several weeks to build momentum.

Key Considerations Before Getting PRP

Out-of-Pocket Expense: Most health insurance plans consider PRP investigational and do not cover it. However, most people may use health saving account to pay for it.  

Temporary Post-Procedure Soreness: Because PRP works by triggering a natural inflammatory healing cascade, mild pain, swelling, or stiffness at the injection site is common for 24 to 72 hours post-treatment.

Variable Results Across Clinics: Not all PRP is created equal. Low-concentration "single-spin" kits used at many clinics yield inconsistent results compared to high-yield double-spin protocols.

Not an Instant Fix: Structural tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and hair follicle reactivation take 3 to 6 weeks to show noticeable improvement, requiring patient patience.

Ineligible for End-Stage Conditions: PRP is less effective for severe, "bone-on-bone" joint arthritis or completely bald, scarred scalp areas.

Why Provider Choice Matters: Many downside complaints (such as lack of results or severe pain) stem from low platelet concentration or inaccurate, unguided injections. At SD PRP Clinic, our physician uses real-time ultrasound guidance for exact placement and double-spin processing (~11x concentration) to maximize biological efficacy.

The number of PRP sessions required depends on the treatment area and severity of the condition. While some mild joint or tendon issues respond well to fewer sessions, most patients require a structured series of 2 to 3 treatments to achieve maximum, long-lasting biological healing.

1. PRP Protocol for Joints & Tendons (MSK / Orthopedic)

For the majority of musculoskeletal conditions—including knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears, tendonitis, and ligament sprains:

Initial Series: 2 sessions, spaced 2 months apart. This allows sufficient time for tissue remodeling and collagen synthesis between injections.

Severe Cases: Moderate-to-severe joint degeneration or chronic tendinopathy may require a 3rd session to achieve full functional recovery.

Maintenance: A single booster session every 12 to 18 months can help maintain joint lubrication, reduce pain, and delay surgical intervention long-term.

2. PRP Protocol for Hair Restoration:

Because hair growth follows a distinct biological cycle (anagen phase), hair regrowth requires a higher frequency of stimulation to awaken dormant follicles:

Initial Series: 3 distinct sessions, spaced 6 weeks apart.

Booster Session: 1 follow-up session 4 to 6 months after completing the initial series to lock in new follicle stimulation.

Long-Term Maintenance: 1 session every 6 to 12 months to sustain increased hair density, shaft thickness, and prevent ongoing pattern thinning.

The cost of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy reflects the advanced medical equipment, high-grade specialized kits, biological processing, and physician expertise required to perform the procedure safely and effectively.

Because PRP relies on concentrated growth factors to drive tissue repair, the quality of the technology directly dictates the clinical outcome.

Key Factors Driving the Cost of High-Quality PRP:

FDA-Cleared Double-Spin PRP Kits (Primary Cost Driver): Medical-grade, closed-system double-spin kits (like the EmCyte PurePRP® systems used at SD PRP Clinic) are sophisticated single-use medical devices designed to eliminate red blood cells and concentrate platelets to ~11x baseline. Cheap single-spin tubes yield poor platelet concentration and higher inflammatory side effects.

Specialized Centrifugation Processing: Processing pure autologous plasma requires specialized medical centrifuges calibrated for multi-stage separation to isolate viable growth factors.

Precision Image Guidance (Ultrasound): Delivering PRP into the exact site of joint or tendon injury requires real-time musculoskeletal ultrasound equipment and technical expertise to ensure 100% accuracy.

Physician-Performed Care: Medical evaluation, precise anatomical mapping, and injections performed directly by a licensed physician ensure safety, proper dosing, and optimal clinical results.

The Value Bottom Line: While low-cost "bargain" PRP treatments exist, they often use basic blood-draw tubes that yield low platelet counts with high red blood cell contamination. Investing in FDA-cleared double-spin technology and ultrasound precision ensures you receive maximum regenerative potential in fewer total sessions.

Yes, it is common and normal to experience brief, temporary hair shedding FOR SOME PEOPLE after PRP. Known as "PRP shedding," this occurs 2 to 4 weeks post-treatment as concentrated growth factors push weak, miniaturized hairs out of their resting phase to make way for a new, stronger growth cycle (anagen phase).

This shedding is temporary and a sign that the hair follicles are reactivating—it does not cause permanent loss or hair damage.

Essential Scalp Aftercare Following PRP & Microneedling

To protect your scalp micro-channels, maximize growth factor absorption, and ensure optimal follicle saturation:

First 12- 24 Hours (Crucial Protection Window):

Keep Scalp Dry: Do not wash your hair, wet your scalp, or apply hair products for at least 6-12 hours.

Avoid Sweat & Heat: Refrain from heavy exercise, saunas, steam rooms, and direct sun exposure to prevent infection or inflammation.

No Touching or Scratching: Avoid touching the scalp to keep micro-channels clean.

Days 2–3 (Gentle Washing & Recovery):

Wash hair gently using warm (not hot) water and a mild, sulfate-free or pH-balanced shampoo.

Avoid harsh chemicals, hair dyes, alcohol-based hair products, or topical Minoxidil (Rogaine) for 3 to 5 days.

First 2 Weeks (Inflammatory Process):

Avoid NSAIDs & Anti-Inflammatories: Do not take ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, or aspirin for 1 to 2 weeks post-procedure, as PRP relies on a controlled inflammatory response to stimulate new blood vessel growth (neovascularization) around hair roots.

Clinical Note: Because our doctor performs scalp microneedling alongside double-spin PRP, your scalp will be slightly pink or sensitive for 24–48 hours, similar to a mild sunburn. Following this aftercare routine protects your micro-channels and maximizes follicle stimulation.

In most cases, no—you do not need to take extended time off work. The entire in-office PRP procedure takes only 1 to 2 hours, and most patients return to normal desk work either the same day or the following morning depending on the treatment area and job demands.

Hair & Scalp PRP: Minimal disruption. You can easily return to a desk job immediately or the next day. If your work requires wearing a hard hat or heavy physical labor causing intense sweating, plan for 24 to 48 hours of rest to keep the scalp micro-channels clean.

Facial & Periorbital (Eye) PRP: You may experience mild redness, tightness, or minor localized bruising for 2 to 4 days, but this will not affect your ability to perform routine work duties.

Joints & Tendons (Orthopedic PRP): For sedentary or computer-based jobs, you can return to work the next day. However, if your occupation involves heavy manual labor, prolonged standing, or repetitive joint strain, we recommend taking 2 to 3 days off or requesting light-duty modifications.

Clinical Advice: Because we use real-time ultrasound guidance for joint and tendon injections to ensure precise anatomical placement, procedural tissue trauma is minimized, helping speed up your initial recovery back to daily work routines.

Before performing a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) procedure, a basic evaluation is recommended to verify your candidate eligibility and target the precise anatomical site of injury:

Blood Evaluation (CBC & Platelet Count): A recent Complete Blood Count (CBC) with baseline platelet levels is recommended. Also, in the case of hair loss, checking TSH, Iron level is advised. 

Diagnostic Imaging (MRI, Ultrasound, or X-Ray): For joints and tendons, for most people, a recent MRI, Ultrasound, or X-Ray is advised. Structural imaging allows us to confirm injury severity (such as a partial vs. full-thickness tear) and map the exact internal anatomical targets prior to treatment.

The Precision Standard: At SD PRP Clinic, diagnostic imaging is not just for pre-treatment planning—our doctor actively pairs your baseline MRI or X-Ray with real-time high-resolution ultrasound guidance during the injection itself. This guarantees 100% accurate needle delivery directly into the damaged tissue.

Depending on the treatment area, at SD PRP Clinic, approximately 30 to 60 mL of blood is drawn during a standard medical PRP procedure.

Your blood is then processed in our specialized centrifuge for about 20 to 30 minutes to yield approximately 5 to 12ccof pure, highly concentrated platelet-rich plasma ready for injection.

The Problem with Low-Volume Draws (10–15 mL): Many med-spas and low-cost clinics use basic, single-spin test tubes that only draw 10 to 15 mL of blood. These low-yield tubes fail to capture enough platelets, resulting in a weak growth factor concentration that is often inadequate for severe joint pain, tendon tears, or hair restoration.

The High-Concentration Advantage (30–60 mL): Starting with a sufficient 30–60 mL blood volume allows our FDA-cleared double-spin system to extract maximum viable growth factors while removing >99% of unwanted, inflammatory red blood cells.

Clinical Key: Effective biological healing relies on platelet dose, not just liquid volume. Drawing 30 to 60 mL ensures we isolate millions of active growth factors directly into a dense 5-12cc concentrated dose for maximum biological impact.

PRP with A2M is an advanced dual-action orthobiologic treatment that combines the regenerative growth factors of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) with the cartilage-Tendon protecting power of the A2M protein.

While PRP stimulates new tissue repair, A2M acts as a biological "trap" that neutralizes destructive enzymes in the joint, stopping the active breakdown of cartilage and severe osteoarthritis in its tracks.

How the "Dual-Action" PRP + A2M Protocol Works

Osteoarthritis creates a toxic joint environment where catabolic (destructive) enzymes actively eat away at your cartilage and tendon sheet. By combining these two autologous (from your own blood) therapies, we deliver a comprehensive 1-2 punch:

The Protector (A2M - Anti-Catabolic): Alpha-2-Macroglobulin is a large, naturally occurring plasma protein. Once isolated and injected into an arthritic joint, it binds to and neutralizes Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs)—the specific chemicals responsible for destroying cartilage and causing chronic joint inflammation.

The Rebuilder (PRP - Anabolic): Once the A2M has halted the active cartilage destruction, the high-concentration double-spin PRP delivers a massive dose of growth factors to stimulate cellular repair, rebuild collagen, and restore joint lubrication.

The Clinical Advantage: Because A2M is a very large, heavy protein molecule, it cannot be effectively isolated using cheap, single-spin test tubes. At SD PRP Clinic, our specialized double-spin centrifugation system, plus special A2M Filters, allows us to extract highly concentrated A2M and viable platelets from your blood, which our physician then delivers with pinpoint accuracy using ultrasound guidance.

PRP results are normally long-lasting, but they are not permanent. Depending on the condition treated, your overall health, and post-procedure care, the biological benefits of a PRP treatment series could typically last anywhere from 9 months to over 2 years.

Because PRP stimulates genuine tissue repair and cellular renewal rather than just masking symptoms, many patients enjoy extended relief—especially when supported by healthy lifestyle habits.

Longevity & Duration by Treatment Area

1. Joint & Tendon Injections (MSK / Orthopedic)

Duration of Relief: Could last 12 to 24+ months.

What to Expect: Once the concentrated growth factors repair localized micro-tears and reduce joint inflammation, relief can persist for up to two years. For chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, a single annual booster session helps maintain smooth joint articulation and delay degeneration.

2. Hair Restoration (Scalp PRP)

Duration of Results: Could last 12 to 18 months following the initial treatment series.

What to Expect: Hair follicles follow a continuous growth cycle. After completing your primary 3-session series, a routine maintenance session every 6 to 12 months is recommended to keep hair follicles in the active growth (anagen) phase and prevent ongoing pattern hair loss. 

While PRP injections are not completely painless, discomfort is typically mild to moderate and well-managed. Because PRP triggers a natural healing response, patients may feel a temporary deep pressure or stinging sensation during the procedure.

At SD PRP Clinic, we take every possible measure to ensure your comfort by utilizing targeted prescription numbing protocols before making any injection.

How We Minimize Pain During Your PRP Procedure

Prescription Topical Anesthetics: High-potency topical numbing creams can be ordered per your request and applied to the skin prior to hair PRP procedure to  desensitize the skin surface.

Local Lidocaine Numbing Blocks: For scalp and joint injections, our physician uses local injectable numbing medication (such as Lidocaine) to thoroughly block pain pathways at the treatment site before delivering the PRP.

Ultrasound-Guided Injection Precision: For joint and tendon procedures, using real-time ultrasound guidance allows our doctor to place the needle with 100% anatomical accuracy on the very first try—avoiding unnecessary tissue trauma, sensitive nerves, or sensitive blood vessels.

Post-Procedure Soreness: You may experience a mild, dull ache or stiffness ("PRP flare") at the injection site for 24 to 72 hours after treatment. This is a normal, positive sign that the concentrated platelets are actively triggering cellular repair.

Yes, for long-term tissue recovery and joint health, PRP is superior to cortisone. While cortisone provides immediate, temporary pain relief by masking inflammation, it does not heal damaged tissue and can actually weaken tendons and erode joint cartilage over time with repeated use.

In contrast, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) uses your body's natural growth factors to repair damaged collagen, rebuild micro-tears, and restore structural tissue integrity without the risk of tissue degradation.

The Clinical Verdict: Cortisone acts as a quick "band-aid," while double-spin PRP works as a structural fix. If you want to avoid surgery and protect your joint health long-term, PRP is the safer, more sustainable solution.

PRP therapy is exceptionally safe with minimal risk of allergic reaction or side effects because it uses your own autologous blood. Unlike synthetic fillers or pharmaceutical drugs, there is virtually zero risk of immune rejection or disease transmission.

(Note: While you cannot be allergic to your own plasma, rare allergic reactions can occur with topical or injectable numbing agents like Lidocaine. Always inform your doctor prior to treatment if you have a known sensitivity to local anesthetics.)

Who is an Ideal Candidate for PRP?

PRP is ideal for active individuals, athletes, and patients seeking non-surgical solutions for:

Partial tendon tears, chronic tendinopathy, or joint arthritis (knee, shoulder, hip, ankle).

Early-to-moderate androgenic hair loss or active scalp thinning.

Non-surgical facial skin and eyelid rejuvenation and collagen stimulation.

What is the difference between Leukocyte-Poor (LP) and Leukocyte-Rich (LR) PRP?

The key difference is the concentration of white blood cells (leukocytes). Leukocyte-Poor PRP (LP-PRP) filters out white blood cells to deliver high concentrations of growth factors with minimal inflammation. Leukocyte-Rich PRP (LR-PRP) retains these cells to intentionally trigger a controlled inflammatory response, which helps clear away damaged tissue and restart the healing cycle. At SD PRP Clinic, we use FDA-cleared, double-spin kits to precisely customize both formulations.

What conditions are best treated with Leukocyte-Poor (LP-PRP)?  

LP-PRP is the gold standard for intra-articular joint pain, such as knee and hip osteoarthritis, because it suppresses inflammation and protects delicate cartilage. It is also the ideal choice for aesthetic treatments—including hair restoration and facial microneedling—delivering pure cellular signaling with minimal post-treatment swelling.

When is Leukocyte-Rich (LR-PRP) the right choice?  

A: We utilize LR-PRP for chronic sports injuries, recalcitrant tendinopathies, and tendon tears. The white blood cells in LR-PRP are crucial for breaking down chronic scar tissue in conditions like rotator cuff tears, tennis elbow, and Achilles tendinosis. All LR-PRP injections are performed under precision ultrasound guidance to deliver the biologics exactly to the site of the tear.