PRP & PRF Facial aftercare
Your own platelets, so no compatibility concerns — but the first 24 hours still matter for how well it takes.
Ring rather than wait if you have
- Spreading redness, swelling that worsens after day two, or discharge
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
- A cold sore developing in or near the treated area
Call 07721 823933. I would far rather see you and find nothing than have you wait it out overnight. If you cannot reach me and you are worried, contact NHS 111 or attend your nearest emergency department.
01The first 24 hours
- Some redness, warmth and mild swelling is expected and settles within a day or two.
- Do not wash the treated area for a few hours, and use only lukewarm water afterwards.
- No make-up on the area for 24 hours.
- Bruising at the blood-draw site is common and harmless.
02The first week
- Avoid anything that heats the skin or raises blood flow significantly.
- Results are gradual and cumulative across a course — this is not an immediate-change treatment.
A closer look
Keep the plan close at hand
Your instructions
Use the written aftercare plan for the treatment you actually received.
Your contact
Keep the clinic contact details available and seek help promptly for concerning symptoms.
Your review
Follow the agreed review arrangements. Do not wait for review if symptoms need urgent attention.
The urgent warning signs above take priority over routine follow-up.
Why these rules exist
The reasoning, not just the instruction
Why the bumps are expected and go on their own
These products are placed in small deposits just under the surface, so small raised bumps at each injection point are the treatment sitting where it was put rather than a complication. They disperse within a few hours, occasionally a day.
Do not massage them flat unless you have been told to for that specific product — the dispersal is part of how it works.
Why the result takes weeks, and why the course matters
You are waiting on your own fibroblasts to respond to a signal, not on a product to take up space. Little is visible at two weeks. Change is usually apparent from four to six weeks and keeps developing for two to three months after the final session.
A single session produces a signal; a course produces a sustained one, and sustained signalling is what actually changes the tissue. Stopping after one is the commonest reason people conclude the category does not work.
03What to avoid, and for how long
| Make-up on the treated area | 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Strenuous exercise | 24–48 hours |
| Alcohol | 24 hours |
| Saunas, steam rooms and sunbeds | 72 hours |
| Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen | 3 days — they can blunt the response |
04What to expect, and when
Day 1–2
Redness and mild swelling settle.
Week 4–6
Next session in the course.
Month 3
Changes becoming visible.
Month 6
The fair point at which to judge the result.
Common questions
- How long does swelling last after a PRP facial?
- Day 1–2: Redness and mild swelling settle. Week 4–6: Next session in the course. Month 3: Changes becoming visible. Month 6: The fair point at which to judge the result.
- When can I wear make-up after a PRP facial?
- Leave the treated area free of make-up for 24 hours.
- When should I ring rather than wait?
- Spreading redness, swelling that worsens after day two, or discharge; Fever or feeling generally unwell; A cold sore developing in or near the treated area.
- How long does a PRP facial take to settle?
- There is little to settle in the first days beyond small bumps at the injection points, which go within hours. The change itself develops over four to six weeks and keeps building for two to three months after the final session.
- Does a PRP facial hurt?
- A series of small injections, so it is a repeated sharp sensation rather than one event. Numbing cream is used where it helps. Under the eyes is the most sensitive area and the one most likely to bruise.
- How often should I have a PRP facial?
- A course first, then maintenance. Courses vary by treatment, commonly two to four sessions a few weeks apart, with maintenance every six to twelve months depending on the product and on your skin.
This is general aftercare information. You will be given written aftercare specific to your treatment before you leave, and a direct number to reach me on. If anything here conflicts with what you were told in clinic, what you were told in clinic applies.
Sources and further reading
- NHS — Dermal fillers
- British Association of Dermatologists — patient information
- Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners
- Aesthetic Complications Expert Group
This is general aftercare information, not personal medical advice. What you were told in clinic takes precedence over anything on this page.
Get in touch
Book a consultation
Consultations are £30, and that comes off the cost of your treatment if you go ahead. No pressure to book anything on the day — if you are not sure whether you want treatment at all, that is still a good reason to come and talk.