March 10, 2026 | Microneedling
6 minute read
It’s recommended that you leave PRP on your face after microneedling, but for how long, and why? This blog answers those questions and more regarding PRP microneedling prep, aftercare, and optimizing results.
How to Make the Most of Your PRP Facial
Minimally invasive med spa treatments, such as PRP facials and microneedling, are an important part of aesthetic wellness and overall skin health. These procedures contribute to increased collagen production, cellular turnover, and internal healing.
After a microneedling with PRP session, the platelet-rich plasma remains on the skin’s surface and is still visible afterward. Your provider will not wash it off for you, and you may be instructed to leave it on for a set period to maximize its benefits. While providers and treatment types may differ, it’s often recommended to leave the PRP solution on the skin for at least eight hours for optimal benefits.
How Does PRP Microneedling Work?
You may be wondering: Why do I have to leave this goo on my face for so long?? Let’s break it down:
Microneedling is a minimally invasive aesthetic treatment that uses tiny microneedles to create microinjuries in the skin’s surface. These tiny injuries signal to the body that it needs to repair itself, so it sends collagen to repair the damage. Then, over time, collagen builds up in the skin, which plumps, tightens, and rejuvenates it, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and repairing surface damage like scars.
These microinjuries have a secondary function: They serve as channels that allow topical solutions to reach the skin’s barrier more effectively. That’s why we pair microneedling with something like PRP for optimal efficacy.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is a naturally occurring substance found in your blood. After the PRP process (blood draw, blood processing through a centrifuge, and extraction of PRP), the remaining solution is then reinjected into the body or placed on the skin’s surface. PRP works by using growth factors (proteins that tell cells how to grow, repair, or regenerate) to stimulate collagen and elastin production, resulting in smoother, firmer, more rejuvenated skin.
By applying PRP immediately after microneedling, we capitalize on the channels opened in your skin, allowing for double the collagen-producing power.
Why Does PRP Have to Sit on the Skin?
The reason we leave PRP on the skin is similar to the thinking behind leaving conditioner in our hair or moisturizer on our face: It needs time to sink in and do its thing!
PRP is like a concentrated serum derived from your own blood that has the perfect ingredients to heal your skin, without the risk of an allergic reaction or rejection. But like anything absorbed by the skin, it needs time to work effectively. Allowing PRP to sit on the skin after microneedling promotes:
- Deep penetration into the dermis, not just the surface
- Maximum growth factor absorption, as these proteins need time to activate and stimulate collagen and elastin production
- Enhanced healing, as PRP accelerates the skin’s healing processes, resulting in a more even skin tone, improved texture, and reduced wrinkles
How Else Can I Make My PRP Facial Work Better?
In addition to leaving the PRP on your face for longer, there are some other steps you can take to aid in this regenerative process and maintain glowing, plump skin.
How to Prep for Your PRP Facial
Your practitioner might have supplied you with some PRP facial prep requirements, such as the following:
- Avoid certain medications: Ibuprofen, aspirin, fish oil, and vitamin E can all cause bruising, so you should avoid taking any of these for about a week prior to your appointment.
- Adjust skin care: Retinol and active acids, such as AHA/BHA, can be very harsh on the skin. It’s best to pause these for about three to seven days before the procedure to avoid irritating your skin or risking infection. Stick to gentle moisturizers and cleansers, and always use SPF.
- Increase hydration: Water is key to healthy, supple, glowing skin, and increasing your water intake prior to your PRP appointment ensures optimal plasma quality for the blood draw.
- Healthy living: Avoid alcohol and nicotine for at least 24–72 hours before and after the procedure to ensure proper healing. Both substances thin the blood, increasing the risk of bruising, and nicotine slows blood circulation, slowing down all processes necessary for healing and cellular renewal.
Think of it this way: You’ve got this one shot to make the most of your PRP experience, so you want to set yourself up to get the most out of the process. Preparing your skin and body for the treatment is just as important as following your aftercare rules for your safety and satisfaction with the process.
PRP Microneedling Aftercare
Onto the last step: your aftercare! We already know you need to leave the PRP solution on for at least eight hours, but how else can you make this work better? Following your aesthetic provider’s instructions is always key to a successful result, so here are some common rules you should follow after getting PRP microneedling:
- Don’t touch or wash your face for at least eight hours: Depending on your comfort level and the time of your appointment, you may just want to leave your PRP on overnight and wash your face in the morning.
- Gentle skin care: Continue using gentle moisturizers, cleansers, and SPFs only for about three to five days. Keep your skin protected and hydrated so the PRP can work without irritating it with harsh retinoids. Also, microneedling has an exfoliating effect, so you can take a break from that, too.
- Sun protection: SPF, SPF, SPF! Sunscreen is non-negotiable, but even so, you should avoid direct sun exposure for 3–10 days.
- Avoid heat and exercise: Saunas, hot tubs, and soaking in hot water should be avoided for at least 72 hours. Moist heat can cause irritation, worsen inflammation, and increase the risk of infection.
Are you seeing a pattern with aftercare instructions? The goal is to protect the skin, avoid irritation and infection (remember you have tiny holes in your face), and stay away from anything that will damage or counteract the PRP.
Microneedling prep and aftercare are simple and make even more sense once you learn the reasons behind all the rules. Following these tips and the advice of your aesthetic provider will ensure a safe and effective microneedling with PRP experience.
Want to Learn More About Microneedling With PRP in Reno and Carson City, NV?
Discover the power of regenerative medicine with PRP microneedling in Reno and Carson City, NV. Call Bonaldi Aesthetics Plastic Surgery & Med Spa today at (775) 828-7400 or complete the contact form to schedule a PRP microneedling consultation with an experienced aesthetic provider.
