What Is PRP? A Naturopathic Doctor Explains Platelet Rich Plasma for Skin, Hair & Joints

April 11, 2026

If you've heard the term "vampire facial" and thought it sounded either terrifying or intriguing (or both), you're not alone. PRP — platelet rich plasma therapy — has become one of the most talked-about treatments in both regenerative medicine and the beauty world. But what is it, exactly? And does it actually work?

In a recent episode of the Beauty Lab Podcast, hosts Monina and Velia sat down with Dr. Josh Donaldson, naturopathic physician and founder of Longevity Medical Institute in Los Gatos and Soquel, California. Dr. Josh has been using PRP in his practice for over 13 years, for everything from knee injuries to hair restoration to facial rejuvenation. Here's what he shared.

Why PRP Exists: The Problem with Connective Tissue

To understand why PRP was developed, you first need to understand why certain injuries don't fully heal on their own.

When you cut your skin or break a bone, your body heals relatively quickly. That's because skin and bone tissue are highly vascularized — meaning they have a robust blood supply delivering oxygen and growth factors to the area. Connective tissue — ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and the meniscus — doesn't have that. These tissues have poor blood flow, which means when they're injured, healing is often incomplete. You might feel somewhat better, but the tissue is never fully repaired.

That's the problem PRP was designed to solve.

What PRP Actually Is

PRP stands for platelet rich plasma. Platelets in your blood are naturally rich in growth factors and cytokines — the biological ingredients your body uses to initiate and carry out tissue repair. The idea behind PRP is to isolate and concentrate those growth factors, then inject them directly into the damaged tissue.

The process in Dr. Josh's clinic looks like this: a blood draw (usually 50–60 ccs), followed by a double centrifuge spin that separates and concentrates the platelets. The result is about 7–8 ccs of super-concentrated, growth-factor-rich plasma — enough for a knee, shoulder, or other joint. The whole process happens in a single visit because the PRP needs to be used fresh.

Once prepared, the PRP is injected directly into the damaged area — whether that's a torn ligament, a deteriorating knee, or the rotator cuff. Because the concentration of growth factors is so much higher than what the body naturally delivers to that tissue, the healing response is significantly more robust. Dr. Josh describes it as five to ten times more effective than traditional prolotherapy.

There is a caveat: PRP is not pain-free. The inflammatory nature of the growth factors means the treatment site is more aggravated during and after the injection — typically two to three days of soreness, versus one day with prolotherapy. But for most patients, the results are worth it.

The Vampire Facial: PRP for Skin Rejuvenation

The same concept that works for joint repair can be applied aesthetically — and that's where the vampire facial comes in. The term was coined by an Arkansas physician who popularized using PRP microneedling for skin rejuvenation. Once a certain famous actress posted photos, the treatment went mainstream.

Here's how it works at Longevity Medical Institute: after the blood is drawn and the PRP is processed, a microneedling pen is used to create tiny microchannels across the face. The depth varies by area — shallower around the eyes and forehead where skin is thinner, deeper on the cheeks, neck, and décolletage.

The PRP is then applied topically over the microneedled skin, allowing it to penetrate and absorb. Dr. Josh also does targeted injections for specific concern areas — crow's feet, the "11" frown lines, nasolabial folds, and forehead lines. He describes the injection technique as feathering the needle in tangentially just beneath the surface of the wrinkle, essentially infilling it with PRP to help flatten it from below.

The result is skin that looks tighter, more toned, and more luminous — without the frozen quality that Botox can create. PRP also helps with acne scarring by stimulating new collagen in depressed areas.

PRP for Hair Restoration

PRP works similarly for hair loss. Microneedling is performed on the scalp combined with injections at a slightly deeper depth to reach the follicles. Dr. Josh noted that PRP has helped slow and partially reverse his own male pattern baldness. The standard protocol is once a month for three months, then typically good for one to two years.

Like the facial, it requires a numbing cream applied beforehand — and it's not entirely pain-free. But for patients dealing with thinning hair, the results have been meaningful.

Adding Exosomes: Taking PRP Further

For patients who want more dramatic results, Dr. Josh combines PRP with exosomes — nanoparticles derived from stem cells that enhance cellular signaling and regeneration. He's found the combination particularly effective for aesthetic treatments, calling the results "nothing short of miraculous."

What to Expect

Whether you're considering PRP for a joint injury, a facial, or hair restoration, the process always starts with a blood draw and centrifuge — all in a single visit. Results build over several weeks as the growth factors do their work, and most patients are advised to follow a series of treatments for best outcomes.

If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area or Santa Cruz region, Dr. Josh offers a free 15-minute phone consult to determine if you're a candidate:

Website: longevitymedicalinstitute.com
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