Understanding how PRP therapy works is valuable both for practitioners considering adding the treatment to their clinic and for patients who want to understand what the procedure involves. This article provides a clear, step-by-step explanation of the science behind PRP, how the preparation is carried out, and what happens during a typical treatment session.

What Is PRP?

PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. It is a preparation made from the patient’s own blood, in which the concentration of platelets has been significantly increased above the level found in whole blood. To understand why this matters, it is helpful to understand what platelets do.

Platelets are small, disc-shaped blood cells produced in the bone marrow. Their primary role in the body is to respond to injury, when a blood vessel is damaged, platelets gather at the site and release chemical signals that initiate the clotting process and trigger tissue repair. These signals come from proteins stored inside the platelets, known as growth factors.

Growth factors influence cell behaviour in a number of ways: they can stimulate cell division, promote the formation of new blood vessels, regulate inflammation, and signal neighbouring cells to begin repair activity. PRP therapy is based on the principle that concentrating platelets — and therefore growth factors — at a specific site may support the local tissue environment.

Step 1 — Blood Collection

The procedure begins with a standard blood draw from the patient’s arm, typically from the antecubital vein — the same location used for routine blood tests. The volume collected is usually between 8 and 20 ml, depending on the treatment area and the specific kit being used.

The blood is drawn into a sealed, sterile PRP preparation kit. The kit contains the tube in which centrifugation takes place and, in some systems, a separator gel that assists with the isolation of the platelet-rich layer.

Step 2 — Centrifugation

The sealed kit is placed into a centrifuge and spun at a defined speed and duration. Centrifugation works by using rotational force to separate substances of different densities. In blood, this results in the following layers:

• Red blood cells — the densest component, which settle at the bottom of the tube
• Buffy coat — a thin layer containing white blood cells and a high concentration of platelets
• Platelet-rich plasma — the layer above the buffy coat, containing the concentrated platelets
• Platelet-poor plasma — the uppermost layer, containing few platelets

The practitioner then extracts the platelet-rich layer from the kit. Ycellbio PRP kits, supplied by Revital Medica, are designed to achieve a platelet concentration of 8 to 9 times above the baseline level found in whole blood. This preparation step takes approximately five minutes.

Step 3 — Application to the Treatment Site

Once the PRP has been prepared, it is drawn into a syringe and applied to the treatment area. The method of application depends on the clinical indication:

• Injection — the PRP is delivered directly into the skin, joint, tendon, or scalp using fine needles.
• Microneedling — a device creates micro-channels in the skin surface through which the PRP can be absorbed. This is commonly used in aesthetic skin treatments.
• Topical application — in some wound care and surgical settings, PRP is applied directly to the surface of a wound or surgical site.

Is PRP Safe?

PRP is an autologous treatment, it is derived entirely from the patient’s own blood, with no external biological material added. This means there is no risk of allergic reaction to the PRP itself. As with any injection-based procedure, there are standard risks associated with the injection technique, such as bruising, minor swelling, or infection at the injection site, though these are uncommon when procedures are carried out under appropriate clinical conditions.

Practitioners should screen patients for contraindications, including blood clotting disorders, active infection in the treatment area, or medications that may affect platelet function.

How Long Does a Session Take?

A typical PRP session, from blood draw to completion of the injections — takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the size and complexity of the treatment area. The preparation stage itself takes around 5 to 10 minutes with Ycellbio kits, meaning the majority of the appointment time is spent on the clinical assessment and the treatment itself.

Learn More from Revital Medica

Clinicians who want to understand PRP procedure explained in full detail, including kit specifications and preparation protocols, will find comprehensive information on the Revital Medica website.

Information on the platelet rich plasma process as it relates to specific treatment areas, aesthetics, hair loss, orthopaedics, and dentistry, is available through Revital Medica’s product pages.

For clinics researching PRP centrifuge preparation options, Revital Medica also provides a free centrifuge system to qualifying clinics ordering 25 or more Ycellbio kits per month.

Practitioners across Europe can explore the full range of PRP blood treatment applications supported by Revital Medica’s Ycellbio kit range at revitalmedica.com.