◀ All Modalities

Biologic Modality

Platelet-Rich Plasma
(PRP)

An autologous concentration of platelets and growth factors drawn from the patient’s own blood. Same-day processing. No donor tissue. Delivers VEGF, TGF-β1, PDGF-AA, and EGF directly to the treatment site — stimulating cellular proliferation, collagen synthesis, and tissue remodeling.

Autologous Tendinopathy Hair restoration Aesthetics Alopecia Same-day Orthopedics
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3-5x
Platelet concentration
3
Preparation generations
Same
Day processing
IRB
Largest in biologics

How it works

Mechanism of action

PRP concentrates the growth factors naturally found in platelets and delivers them directly to the site of injury or treatment. The result is an amplified version of the body’s own repair signal.

01
Blood Draw & Centrifugation
A small volume of the patient’s blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate platelets from red blood cells. The resulting PRP layer contains 3-5x the normal platelet concentration found in whole blood — a highly bioactive preparation ready for injection.
02
Platelet Activation
Upon injection or activation with thrombin/calcium, platelets degranulate — releasing growth factors from alpha granules. This burst of bioactive molecules initiates the cascade that drives cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, and tissue repair at the treatment site.
03
Growth Factor Release
Activated platelets release VEGF (angiogenesis), TGF-β1 (collagen synthesis and tissue remodeling), PDGF-AA (cellular proliferation), EGF (epithelial repair), IGF-1 (cellular growth), and FGF (fibroblast activation) — a coordinated repair signal that addresses multiple tissue repair pathways simultaneously.
04
Collagen Synthesis
TGF-β1 stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen at the treatment site. In tendinopathy, this translates to improved structural integrity of damaged tendons. In aesthetics and hair restoration, collagen synthesis supports dermal remodeling and follicular anchoring.
05
Angiogenesis
VEGF and PDGF stimulate new blood vessel formation, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to the treatment site. Critical for chronic tendon healing (where vascularity is compromised) and hair follicle restoration (where follicular miniaturization reduces vascular supply).
06
Anti-inflammatory Modulation
PRP modulates the inflammatory environment at the treatment site — suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines while promoting the resolution phase that allows tissue repair to proceed. Unlike corticosteroids, this anti-inflammatory effect does not suppress the healing response.

Bioactive profile

Key Growth Factors
in PRP

Platelet alpha granules contain a rich reservoir of growth factors. Concentration varies by preparation method and patient biology.

VEGF
Very high
TGF-β1
Very high
PDGF-AA
High
EGF
High
IGF-1
Moderate
FGF
Moderate
HGF
Present

Concentrations vary by platelet count, activation method, and preparation generation. Optimal platelet concentration for angiogenesis induction: ~1.5M platelets/μL.

PRP vs. conventional treatments
CorticosteroidsSuppresses healing
NSAIDsSystemic side effects
Minoxidil (hair)PRP comparable/superior
Hyaluronic acidPRP comparable joint
Surgery (tendon)PRP as adjunct/delay
Key advantage

Autologous — drawn from the patient’s own blood. No donor tissue, no rejection risk, no immunogenicity concerns. Processed and injected same day.

Preparation methods

Three Generations of
PRP Preparation

PRP protocol is not one-size-fits-all. Preparation generation affects platelet concentration, leukocyte content, and fibrin architecture — each suited to different clinical applications.

1st Generation
Pure PRP (P-PRP). Low leukocyte content. Single centrifugation spin. Suitable for aesthetics and hair restoration where a clean growth factor environment is preferred without inflammatory leukocytes.
Best for: Aesthetics · Hair
2nd Generation
Leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP). Higher white cell content. Dual centrifugation. The inflammatory leukocytes may support healing in tendon and ligament applications where controlled inflammation aids repair.
Best for: Tendinopathy · Orthopedics
3rd Generation
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF / i-PRF). No anticoagulants used. Natural fibrin scaffold forms a slow-release matrix of growth factors. Increasingly used in oral surgery, dermatology, and hair restoration for sustained delivery.
Best for: Oral surgery · Dermatology

Evidence base

Peer-reviewed research on
Platelet-Rich Plasma

PRP is among the most studied biologics in clinical medicine. Selected from PubMed, PMC, and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Review
Mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical applications of platelet-rich plasma in tendinopathy: a comprehensive review
Cureus · Jul 2024 · Kale et al. · Covers Achilles, patellar, and rotator cuff tendinopathy — mechanisms, preparation methods, and clinical outcomes
Meta-analysis
Platelet-rich plasma in the management of alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 RCTs (1,877 participants)
PubMed · 2025 · Comprehensive meta-analysis showing activated PRP effective in increasing hair density and minimizing recurrence vs. placebo
Review
Platelet-rich plasma effectiveness in treating androgenetic alopecia: a comprehensive evaluation of 11 RCTs (2020-2024)
PMC · 2025 · Majority of studies demonstrated PRP effective in increasing hair density and thickness in AGA patients
Meta-analysis
Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injection in Achilles tendinopathy: systematic review and meta-analysis of 8 RCTs
PMC · 2023 · Analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing PRP vs placebo in Achilles tendinopathy patients
Meta-analysis
Comparative efficacy and safety of PRP versus topical minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia: systematic review of 9 RCTs (451 participants)
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery · Nov 2025 · Umar et al. · PRP showed no significant difference to minoxidil in hair density — comparable efficacy with autologous profile
RCT
The effect of platelet-rich plasma in hair regrowth: a randomized placebo-controlled trial in male pattern hair loss
PMC · 20 men · 3 treatments at 30-day intervals · 2-year follow-up · Positive hair regrowth effects with no major adverse events
Review
Promises and pitfalls of regenerative therapies for androgenetic alopecia: PRP, photobiomodulation, stem cells, and exosomes
Medical Sciences (MDPI) · 2025 · Gupta et al. · PRP is the most studied regenerative hair modality — scoping review of 5-year clinical evidence

Common questions

Questions about
PRP

PRP is the only major biologic that is fully autologous — drawn from the patient’s own blood. This eliminates immunogenicity concerns, rejection risk, and regulatory complexity around donor tissue. It is also the most widely studied biologic, with the largest body of RCT evidence. The trade-off is that PRP lacks the structural matrix components (collagen, hyaluronic acid) present in allogeneic products like Wharton’s Jelly, and cannot cross the blood-brain barrier like exosomes can.
Protocol varies by indication. For hair restoration, most studies use 3 sessions at 30-day intervals, with maintenance every 6-12 months. For tendinopathy, 1-3 injections spaced 4-6 weeks apart is typical. For aesthetic applications (skin rejuvenation, microneedling), 3-4 sessions at monthly intervals followed by maintenance. Your provider should establish a protocol based on your specific condition and response.
The 2025 meta-analysis of 43 RCTs found that activated PRP was more effective in increasing hair density and minimizing recurrence compared to placebo, while non-activated PRP was associated with a higher frequency of adverse effects. Activation with calcium chloride or thrombin triggers degranulation and immediate growth factor release. For most applications, activated PRP is preferred — though some protocols rely on the body’s own clotting process to achieve slower, more sustained release.
Yes — PRP combination protocols are increasingly common. PRP + Wharton’s Jelly (WJ-MSCs) combines the autologous growth factor burst from PRP with the structural matrix and allogeneic paracrine signaling of WJ products. PRP + exosomes amplifies the signaling effect. Nano PRP Jelly (70mg WJ product) from OurBiologics is specifically designed for combination with PRP protocols. Your rep can walk you through combination options for your specialty.
PRP coverage is limited. Some insurance policies cover autologous PRP in specific orthopedic contexts (certain tendinopathy or surgical applications) but coverage is inconsistent and often requires prior authorization. Hair restoration and aesthetic PRP applications are almost universally cash-pay. The cash-pay model is also an advantage — it allows practices to offer PRP as a high-margin service without reimbursement complexity. Contact your insurer directly for your specific situation.

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Section 361 HCT/P · AATB Accredited · IRB Protected
Important Regulatory Notice

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an autologous biologic regulated under applicable FDA guidelines. PRP products and preparation systems are subject to FDA oversight. Some commercial PRP systems have received 510(k) clearance for specific indications. Clinical applications of PRP vary by indication and regulatory status. PRP is not FDA approved for all applications described on this page.

These products and therapies have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety or efficacy for every specific indication described. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Results may vary. Clinicians are responsible for independent evaluation of suitability for each patient. This material is intended for licensed healthcare professionals only and does not constitute medical advice.