Plasma Treatment for Face:Revitalize Your Skin Today
- Charis Aesthetics
- Aug 8
- 17 min read
A plasma facial is a professional aesthetic treatment that uses a concentrated dose of your own blood’s healing power to rejuvenate your skin. Often nicknamed the “liquid gold” facial, it’s a beautifully simple process: we draw a small amount of your blood, separate the platelet-rich plasma, and then reintroduce it to your face to kick-start collagen production and natural repair. The result is a noticeable improvement in skin texture, tone, and a restored, youthful glow.
Harnessing Your Body’s Natural Healing Power
Think of your body as having its own elite repair crew, always on standby to mend injuries and regenerate tissue. This crew is primarily made up of platelets and growth factors circulating in your blood. A plasma treatment for your face essentially gathers this repair team, concentrates its power, and deploys it exactly where you want to see improvements—your skin.
The idea behind it is incredibly intuitive. We're using the powerful, natural healing mechanisms already built into your system. It's not about introducing foreign substances; it’s about amplifying your body's innate ability to heal and renew itself from within.
What Is Plasma and Why Is It ‘Liquid Gold’?
Your blood has four main parts, but for these treatments, we’re only interested in two of them: plasma and platelets.
Plasma: This is the liquid part of your blood, making up about 55% of its total volume. It’s the transport system, carrying platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells everywhere they need to go.
Platelets: These are tiny cell fragments that act as your body's first responders to an injury. When you get a cut, platelets rush to the scene to form a clot and, more importantly, they release powerful growth factors.
These growth factors are the real stars of the show. They are proteins that signal your skin cells to get to work, telling them to produce more collagen, create new blood vessels, and repair damaged tissue. It’s this incredibly rich, concentrated blend of platelets and growth factors that has earned it the nickname "liquid gold."
By isolating and concentrating these platelets, we create a supercharged serum that kick-starts a powerful regenerative process, leading to firmer, smoother, and more radiant skin.
This kind of natural, non-invasive approach is a huge reason why the UK aesthetics market is thriving, with nearly 892,000 procedures performed annually across thousands of clinics. More and more people are seeking effective treatments that offer real results with minimal downtime, and plasma therapy fits that brief perfectly.
The Two Main Approaches: PRP and PRF
In the world of plasma facials, you'll mainly hear about two methods: PRP and PRF. While both use your own blood, the way they are prepared is slightly different, leading to distinct effects.
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): This is the original and most well-known method. Your blood is spun at a high speed to separate the plasma and a high concentration of platelets. This delivers a powerful, immediate burst of growth factors to the skin.
PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin): This is a newer-generation treatment. The blood is spun at a much lower speed, which keeps more white blood cells and stem cells in the final mixture, along with a protein called fibrin. This creates a gel-like scaffold, or matrix, that releases those vital growth factors more slowly over a longer period.
Understanding the subtle differences between the two is key to personalising your treatment for the best possible outcome. Building a solid skincare routine at home is also crucial for making the most of any professional treatment, and you can learn more in our guide to healthier, radiant skin.
Understanding the Difference Between PRP and PRF
While both PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) are fantastic forms of plasma treatment for the face, they aren't the same thing. It helps to think of them as two different kinds of fertiliser for your skin’s garden. Both enrich the soil, but they release their nutrients in unique ways, leading to quite different results.
PRP is the more established of the two, known for giving the skin a potent, immediate rush of growth factors. PRF, on the other hand, is seen as the next generation—it offers a slower, more sustained release of these powerful healing compounds. The real difference all comes down to how your blood is prepared.
PRP: The Immediate Skin Signal
PRP, or Platelet-Rich Plasma, is created by spinning a vial of your blood at a very high speed in a centrifuge. This rapid spin is quite forceful, separating the blood into distinct layers and isolating a highly concentrated dose of platelets in a small amount of plasma. To keep the blood from clotting during this process, an anticoagulant is added.
When this PRP solution is introduced to your face (often through microneedling), it acts like a powerful alarm bell for your skin cells. It signals an immediate and widespread regenerative response, telling your cells to get busy producing fresh collagen and elastin across the whole area. This makes it an excellent choice for improving overall skin texture, softening fine lines, and restoring a healthy, even glow.
The rise in plasma therapies is a huge part of the global aesthetics market. What started as a tool for surgical recovery has steadily found its place in aesthetic medicine. The worldwide face treatment market, valued at $3.82 billion, is set to climb to nearly $10 billion by 2034. Here in the UK, plasma treatments are particularly popular for their natural ability to boost collagen and improve skin quality, making them ideal for tackling wrinkles and pigmentation. You can read more about the growth of the global face treatment market and what it means for the industry.
This image highlights some of the key benefits you can expect from a plasma facial.
As you can see, the data clearly shows the treatment's power to significantly increase collagen, reduce the depth of wrinkles, and all with minimal downtime.
PRF: The Sustained Healing Scaffold
PRF, or Platelet-Rich Fibrin, takes a much gentler approach. With PRF, the blood is spun at a lower speed—a subtle change that has some pretty big implications. This slower spin is less traumatic to the cells, which means more white blood cells and stem cells are kept in the final mix along with the platelets.
Crucially, no anticoagulant is used. This allows the plasma to form a natural, spongy fibrin matrix—a kind of biological scaffold.
Think of this fibrin matrix like a time-release capsule. It traps the platelets and other healing cells, releasing their growth factors slowly and steadily over several days as the matrix naturally breaks down in your skin.
This sustained release makes PRF incredibly effective for targeted treatments where you need both healing and a touch of subtle volume. It’s often the top choice for delicate areas like the under-eyes to reduce hollowness and dark circles, or for tackling deeper wrinkles and stubborn acne scars. The fibrin scaffold itself provides a slight plumping effect while the prolonged release of growth factors gets to work on more intensive, localised repair.
PRP vs PRF: A Head-to-Head Comparison
To make the choice a bit clearer, it helps to see the two treatments side-by-side. This table breaks down the key differences at a glance.
Ultimately, neither one is universally "better" than the other. The best plasma treatment for your face comes down entirely to your specific skin concerns and what you hope to achieve. A thorough consultation with a qualified practitioner is the only way to determine whether the immediate rejuvenation of PRP or the sustained repair of PRF is the right path for you.
Your Step-by-Step Plasma Facial Journey
Starting a new aesthetic treatment can feel a bit nerve-wracking, but knowing exactly what’s going to happen helps take all the guesswork out of it. A plasma treatment for your face is a surprisingly simple and professionally managed process from beginning to end. Let's walk through it together, so you feel completely prepared when you arrive at the clinic.
The entire experience is built around your comfort and safety. We’re here to turn what might sound like a complex procedure into a calm, reassuring journey towards healthier, revitalised skin. Your practitioner will be your guide every step of the way, making sure you feel informed and totally at ease.
Step 1: The Consultation and Skin Assessment
Every great treatment starts with a simple conversation. Your initial consultation is the most important first step, giving you a chance to chat with your practitioner about your skin concerns, what you’re hoping to achieve, and your medical history. This is the perfect time to ask all your questions and make sure you feel confident in the plan.
From there, your practitioner will do a thorough skin assessment to confirm a plasma facial is the right fit for you. They’ll have a close look at your skin’s texture, elasticity, and any specific areas you’re concerned about, like fine lines or old scars, so they can create a treatment strategy that’s truly yours.
Step 2: The Blood Draw and Preparation
Once you’re ready to go, the process begins with a quick and easy blood draw—it’s no different from a routine test you’d have at your GP’s surgery. A small amount of blood, usually just one or two little vials, is taken from your arm. It’s over in a flash and is minimally uncomfortable.
That sample is then popped into a special machine called a centrifuge. This clever bit of kit spins the vial at high speed, using centrifugal force to separate your blood into its different layers. The heavier red blood cells sink to the bottom, leaving the golden, platelet-rich plasma and fibrin floating at the top.
This is where the magic happens. Your very own “liquid gold” is carefully drawn off and prepared for the next stage. Whether you’re having PRP or PRF, this is the step that concentrates all those powerful growth factors that will get to work rejuvenating your skin.
The centrifugation process is incredibly precise and completely sterile. It guarantees that the final serum is a pure, potent concentration of your body’s own healing cells, ready to be reintroduced into your skin for the best possible results.
Step 3: Skin Numbing and Preparation
While your plasma is being prepared in the centrifuge, your practitioner will get your skin ready. First, your face will be gently but thoroughly cleansed to remove any makeup, oils, or impurities. This creates a perfectly clean canvas for the treatment.
To make the whole thing as comfortable as possible, a topical numbing cream is applied all over the treatment area. This cream is left on for around 20-30 minutes to get to work, which makes the next steps virtually painless for most people. You might feel a little bit of pressure or a light tingling, but you shouldn't feel any real discomfort.
Step 4: The Plasma Application
With your skin perfectly numb and your bespoke plasma serum ready to go, it’s time for the final step. Your practitioner will use one of two main methods to get that "liquid gold" back into your skin where it can do its job:
Microneedling: The plasma is first smoothed over your skin. Then, a microneedling device with ultra-fine, sterile needles is passed over the area. This creates thousands of tiny micro-channels, giving the plasma a direct route deep into the dermis where it can work most effectively. As a bonus, the microneedling itself triggers a healing response, giving collagen production an extra boost.
Direct Injections: For more targeted issues, like deep-set wrinkles or under-eye hollows (a very common use for PRF), the practitioner might inject the plasma directly into those specific spots. This delivers a concentrated dose of growth factors exactly where it's needed most for focused repair and volume restoration.
Once the application is done, your practitioner will give you detailed aftercare instructions to help you have a smooth recovery and get the most amazing results from your plasma treatment for face.
Right, let’s move past the science for a moment. What can a plasma facial actually do for your skin?
The simple answer is that it wakes up your skin’s own powerful repair systems. This isn't about creating a "new you" with artificial substances; it’s about kick-starting your natural biology to reveal the healthiest, most vibrant version of your skin. The results are real, tangible, and look completely natural because they come from within.
From smoothing out fine lines to evening out your skin tone, the benefits work together to restore a more youthful appearance. It's a uniquely personalised treatment because the magic ingredient is you.
Awakening Your Skin’s Collagen Factory
Think of collagen as the scaffolding that gives your skin its firmness and bounce. As we get older, the production of this vital protein slows right down, which is why we start to see sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. A plasma facial acts as a powerful wake-up call for your fibroblasts—the tiny cells that are your skin’s personal collagen factories.
When we introduce that concentrated dose of growth factors, it’s like telling those cells to get back to work. This triggers the creation of new, healthy collagen and elastin fibres, which helps to:
Soften the appearance of fine lines, especially those frustrating ones around the eyes and mouth.
Improve skin firmness and elasticity, giving you a subtle, natural-looking lift.
Restore a smoother, more resilient skin structure from deep within.
Refining Texture and Tone
It’s not just about building new collagen. A plasma treatment also speeds up your skin's natural cell turnover. This process encourages the shedding of old, dull surface cells to reveal the fresh, new skin hiding underneath.
The result? A noticeable improvement in both skin texture and tone. Your skin will feel softer and smoother to the touch, and you'll see a more even, radiant complexion. It's especially good at tackling the lingering signs of sun damage or mild pigmentation, leaving you with a clearer canvas.
This shift towards natural regeneration is a big reason why these treatments are booming. The global plasma therapy market was valued at around USD 0.55 billion and is projected to hit USD 0.88 billion by growing at roughly 12.5% each year. Patients here in the UK and worldwide are actively seeking effective therapies that are less invasive. You can dive deeper into these trends by exploring more insights on the plasma therapy market here.
Reducing Scars and Boosting Radiance
The regenerative power of plasma is a game-changer for improving the look of scars, particularly pitted acne scars. The growth factors get to work remodelling the damaged tissue and stimulating fresh, healthy skin to grow in its place, gradually making those old scars far less noticeable.
On top of that, the treatment improves circulation and encourages the formation of new capillaries. This increased blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells, bringing back that healthy, radiant glow that so often gets lost to age and environmental stress. If you're keen to learn more about maximising these effects, it’s worth checking out the 7 incredible PRP facial benefits for 2025 in our detailed guide.
Perhaps one of the best things about a plasma facial is that the results appear gradually. The improvements become more visible over the weeks and months after your treatment as your skin continues its quiet, background work. This means you’ll never look like you’ve suddenly had "work done"—just that you look progressively more refreshed, rested, and vibrant.
Is a Plasma Facial the Right Choice for You?
A plasma facial cleverly taps into your body's own powerful repair systems, but whether it will work wonders for you really depends on your health and what your skin is like to begin with. While the potential for rejuvenation is fantastic, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Figuring out if you're a good fit is the most important first step towards getting beautiful, safe results.
This treatment really shines when it comes to tackling specific, common skin gripes. You’re likely an ideal candidate for a plasma treatment for face if you want to improve:
Early Signs of Ageing: Noticing those first fine lines, crow's feet, or a slight drop in skin firmness? Plasma facials can kick-start new collagen production to help restore that youthful structure.
Dull or Lacklustre Skin: The treatment is brilliant for revitalising tired-looking skin. It boosts circulation and cell turnover, bringing back a healthy, natural glow.
Uneven Skin Texture: By encouraging new skin cells to grow, it helps to smooth out any rough patches and generally refine your complexion’s texture.
Acne Scarring: Its regenerative abilities are particularly good at remodelling scar tissue, which can help lessen the depth and visibility of old acne scars.
Understanding Who Should Avoid It
Because a plasma facial uses your own biological material, it's remarkably safe. However, there are some health conditions where the treatment just isn’t a good idea. Safety is always the top priority, and a responsible practitioner will never go ahead if you have any of the following issues.
It's absolutely vital to be honest and open about your medical history during your consultation. A plasma facial is generally not recommended for individuals with:
Active Infections or Skin Conditions: You’ll need to wait until any infection—whether it's a cold or flu, or something on the skin like a cold sore, eczema, or an active acne breakout in the treatment area—has completely cleared up.
Certain Blood Disorders: Conditions that mess with how your platelets work or how your blood clots, like thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count), can get in the way of the treatment's safety and effectiveness.
Autoimmune Conditions: Some autoimmune diseases can affect how the body heals. Your practitioner will need to have a chat about your specific condition to see if it’s suitable.
Pregnancy or Breastfeeding: As a standard precaution, aesthetic treatments like this are not performed on women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Your health history is the foundation of a safe and effective treatment plan. A thorough consultation with a qualified UK practitioner is essential to make sure a plasma facial is the right path for your unique goals and circumstances.
Making an informed decision is the key to feeling confident on your aesthetics journey. For a wider view of what modern aesthetic medicine can do, it’s worth exploring some of the most effective UK anti-aging treatments that actually work to see how plasma facials fit into a broader strategy for keeping your skin vibrant and healthy.
Costs, Aftercare, and What to Expect Post-Treatment
Once you’ve decided that a plasma facial is the right step for you, the practical questions naturally follow. It’s completely normal to wonder about the investment, how to look after your skin afterwards, and what the recovery actually feels like. These are all crucial parts of feeling prepared and confident as you start your treatment journey.
Let’s break down these details, giving you a clear, honest picture of what to expect—both financially and physically—after your plasma facial. The goal here is to make sure your experience is smooth, safe, and delivers the brilliant results you’re looking for.
The Cost of a Plasma Facial in the UK
The price of a plasma treatment for the face in the UK can vary quite a bit, so it helps to know what goes into the final figure. There’s no single fixed price, as several factors will influence what you pay.
Typically, you can expect a single session to cost anywhere from £300 to over £700. This range comes down to a few key things:
Practitioner Expertise: Highly experienced, medically qualified practitioners often charge more for their skill, precision, and proven safety record. You're paying for peace of mind.
Clinic Location: As with many services, prices in major cities like London or Manchester may be higher than in smaller towns.
Treatment Type: PRF treatments can sometimes be slightly more expensive than PRP because the preparation process is more specialised.
Treatment Area: A full-face treatment will naturally cost more than focusing on a smaller, targeted area like the under-eyes or around the mouth.
Most clinics will recommend a course of 2-3 treatments, usually spaced about four to six weeks apart. This is the best way to achieve deep, lasting results. It’s always worth asking about package pricing, as many clinics offer a discount if you book a full course upfront.
Your Essential Aftercare Guide
Proper aftercare is just as important as the treatment itself. Following your practitioner’s advice is absolutely vital for a smooth recovery and for protecting your skin while it gets to work regenerating. Think of it as safeguarding your investment.
For the first few days, your skin will be sensitive, so it's crucial to treat it gently. Here’s a simple list of dos and don'ts to guide you.
Do:
Keep your skin clean with a gentle, non-exfoliating cleanser.
Apply any post-procedure serums or creams your practitioner recommends.
Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water to support the healing process.
Don't:
Expose your skin to direct sun. If you must go outside, use a high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Get involved in strenuous exercise, saunas, or steam rooms for at least 48 hours.
Apply makeup for the first 24 hours to avoid irritating your freshly treated skin.
Use harsh skincare products with retinoids, acids (like glycolic or salicylic), or exfoliants for about a week.
The single most important factor in ensuring a safe treatment and excellent results is the person performing it. Always choose a certified, insured, and experienced practitioner who can demonstrate a deep understanding of facial anatomy and sterile procedures.
Common Side Effects and Recovery
Immediately after a plasma treatment for the face, it’s completely normal to see some mild, temporary side effects. In fact, this is a positive sign that your body’s powerful healing response has kicked in.
You can expect some redness and mild swelling, much like a light sunburn. Your skin might also feel a little tight or tender to the touch. These effects are most noticeable in the first 24-48 hours and will gradually fade on their own.
More significant risks are incredibly rare, especially when the procedure is done by a qualified professional in a sterile clinic. Choosing a skilled practitioner is, without a doubt, the best way to minimise any potential complications and ensure your path to rejuvenated skin is a safe and successful one.
Your Plasma Facial Questions, Answered
Deciding on a new aesthetic treatment always brings up a few questions. It’s completely normal to want to know the ins and outs before you commit, and feeling confident about your choice is our top priority.
We’ve put together answers to the most common queries we hear about plasma facials. Think of this as your practical guide to understanding the journey from start to finish, so you know exactly what to expect.
How Many Sessions Will I Need For The Best Results?
While a single plasma facial can definitely give your skin a beautiful, radiant boost, the real magic happens with a series of treatments. If you’re looking to make a lasting impact on fine lines, acne scarring, or uneven skin texture, consistency is key.
Most of our clients see the best results with a course of two to three sessions. We usually space these appointments four to six weeks apart. There's a good reason for this timing—it gives your skin the perfect window to kickstart its collagen production and cellular repair cycle before the next treatment builds on that progress.
This cumulative effect is what creates those significant, long-term improvements. Once you've completed your initial course, a single top-up session once a year is a great way to maintain your results.
Is The Plasma Facial Painful?
This is easily one of the most frequent questions we get, and it’s a very understandable concern! The short answer is no; a plasma facial is generally a very comfortable procedure. Before we begin, we apply a strong topical numbing cream to your face and let it work its magic for about 20-30 minutes.
This cream is highly effective at desensitising the skin. Most people tell us they feel very little—perhaps a faint pressure, a mild tingling, or a gentle warmth, but definitely not pain. Your comfort is paramount, and we take every step to ensure you’re properly numbed and at ease before we start.
Patient comfort is central to the entire experience. While individual sensitivity varies, the combination of professional technique and effective numbing cream makes the plasma facial a well-tolerated treatment for the vast majority of people.
How Long Do The Results Of A Plasma Facial Last?
One of the best things about this treatment is the longevity of the results. A plasma facial isn't a temporary fix; it stimulates your body’s own powerful healing processes to create genuine, structural changes in your skin.
You'll likely notice an initial healthy glow and smoother texture within a few weeks. But the full benefits—the new collagen and elastin—continue to develop for up to six months after your final session. These brilliant results can last for a year, and sometimes even longer.
Of course, looking after your skin at home with a consistent routine and being diligent with sun protection is essential for getting the most out of your investment. A yearly maintenance session is also a fantastic way to keep that collagen engine running and your skin looking its absolute best.
Can This Treatment Be Combined With Others?
Absolutely! A plasma facial fits beautifully into a wider, personalised skincare plan. Its regenerative power can enhance the effects of other popular aesthetic treatments, creating a more comprehensive and natural-looking result.
For example, many clients combine it with:
Anti-Wrinkle Injections: These relax the muscles that cause expression lines, while the plasma facial gets to work improving the skin’s overall quality and firmness.
Dermal Fillers: While fillers are brilliant for restoring lost volume, a plasma facial improves the tone and elasticity of the skin around the treated area, making the final look more seamless.
Chemical Peels or Profhilo: When timed correctly by your practitioner, these treatments can be combined with plasma facials to tackle different skin concerns, from surface-level pigmentation to deep-down hydration.
The key is to have a thorough discussion about your goals. This allows your practitioner to design a smart, layered treatment plan that delivers the best possible outcome for your unique skin.
Ready to discover how a plasma facial can naturally revitalise your skin? At Charis Aesthetics, we combine medical expertise with a personal touch to help you achieve your aesthetic goals safely and beautifully. Explore your options by visiting https://www.charis-aesthetics.co.uk to book your consultation.
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