PRP Facial in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is a PRP facial?
A PRP facial is a cosmetic skin treatment in which platelet-rich plasma, prepared from your own blood, is applied to or placed into the skin of the face. Platelets are the blood cells best known for helping wounds seal, and they also carry growth factors, signalling proteins that prompt surrounding cells to repair and renew tissue. Concentrating them and bringing them into the skin is the idea behind the treatment.
What sets a PRP facial apart from other skin treatments is the source of the active ingredient. Nothing is manufactured or donated: the plasma comes from your own blood, drawn minutes before it is used, so each preparation is unique to you and is used in the same visit. The treatment is sometimes called a "vampire facial" because of the visible red-gold serum on the skin, although the plasma itself is straw-coloured once separated.
PRP facials at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah are performed in-house by the aesthetic team.
Who needs it
A PRP facial suits adults who want to refresh skin that looks tired, thin or dull, with fine lines, crepey texture under the eyes, enlarged pores or an uneven surface, and who prefer a treatment built from their own biology. It is also chosen by people who want skin quality improved while their facial shape and expression stay exactly as they are.
Because the treatment starts with a blood sample, general health matters more here than for most skin treatments. The doctor asks about blood disorders, medicines that affect clotting, recent illness and any history of cancer before recommending it.
A PRP facial is one of several ways to improve skin quality. Dermapen microneedling on its own targets texture and acne scarring, mesotherapy uses a prepared mixture of hyaluronic acid and vitamins, and chemical peels renew the surface. PRP is often added to microneedling within the same session, and the consultation decides which combination fits your skin.
What happens
A PRP facial runs as a sequence within a single appointment:
- Photographs and cleansing. The face is photographed for comparison later, cleansed, and numbing cream is applied.
- Blood draw. While the cream takes effect, a nurse draws a small amount of blood from a vein in the arm into special tubes, much like a routine blood test.
- Separation. The tubes spin in a centrifuge, which separates the blood by weight: red cells settle at the bottom and the lighter plasma, rich in platelets, rises to the top.
- Collection. The platelet-rich layer is drawn off into a syringe, ready to use straight away.
- Application. The numbing cream is removed and the plasma is brought into the skin, either by microneedling with the plasma spread over the surface so it enters through the tiny channels, or by fine injections placed across the treatment area, or both.
- Finish. Any remaining plasma is left on the skin to absorb.
Throughout, the plasma stays with you and is used only in your own treatment. A PRP facial is usually given as a short course of sessions spaced a few weeks apart, with occasional maintenance sessions afterwards, and the doctor sets the plan for your skin.
Preparing for it
Drink plenty of water the day before and on the day, and eat a normal meal beforehand; being well hydrated makes the blood draw easier and helps prevent feeling faint. During Ramadan, a session after iftar is often more comfortable for this reason.
Tell the doctor about every medicine and supplement you take. Anti-inflammatory tablets such as ibuprofen and aspirin reduce platelet activity, so the doctor may ask you to pause those you take for aches and pains beforehand; keep taking any prescribed blood thinner or heart medicine unless the doctor who prescribed it advises a change. Arrive without make-up, and wear a top with sleeves that roll up easily.
Afterwards
The face looks flushed, similar to mild sunburn, with some pinpoint marks and possible small bruises, and this settles over the following days. The plasma left on the skin is part of the treatment, so leave it in place and wash the face gently later that day or the next morning, as the doctor advises. Keep a small dressing on the blood draw site for a short while.
Skip make-up, active skincare such as retinoids and acids, saunas, pools and hard exercise until the doctor says the skin has settled. In the Sharjah sun, stay in the shade and start daily sun protection once the skin has calmed, because freshly treated skin burns and pigments easily.
Contact the hospital if the face becomes increasingly swollen, hot or painful, if pus or crusting spreads, if blisters appear, or if you develop a fever. **Go to the emergency department straight away if you feel faint and unwell with a racing heart, or have difficulty breathing.**
Cost and insurance
A PRP facial is a cosmetic treatment, and UAE insurance plans usually exclude cosmetic procedures, so it is normally self-pay. Any blood tests the doctor requests beforehand to check your suitability may be charged separately. Because treatment is given as a course, ask for the cost of the full plan, including any microneedling, at your consultation. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can explain the costs on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of a PRP facial?
A PRP facial commonly causes redness, swelling, tenderness and small bruises on the face and at the blood draw site, which settle on their own. Less often it can cause infection, temporary darkening of the skin, cold sore flares or feeling faint during the blood draw. Allergic reactions to the plasma itself are very unlikely because it comes from your own blood. The doctor explains how these risks apply to you before treatment.
Who should not have a PRP facial?
A PRP facial is unsuitable for people with a blood or platelet disorder, an active skin infection on the face, or a current cancer, and it is usually postponed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. People taking blood thinners need an individual assessment. Tell the doctor about your full medical history so the decision is made safely.
Is a PRP facial the same as a vampire facial?
"Vampire facial" is a popular name for a PRP facial that combines microneedling with platelet-rich plasma from your own blood. The name refers to the appearance of the serum on the skin. The treatment described here follows the same principle, with the plasma prepared and applied in one visit.
How much blood is taken for a PRP facial?
A PRP facial uses a small blood sample, drawn from the arm in the same way as a routine blood test. Only the platelet-rich portion is used on the skin. If you have felt faint during blood tests before, tell the nurse so you can lie down during the draw.
How is a PRP facial different from a chemical peel?
A PRP facial works from within the skin, using plasma to prompt repair, while a chemical peel applies a solution to lift away surface cells. The two treat different layers and can form part of the same skin plan, spaced apart, as the doctor advises.
How many PRP facial sessions will I need?
A PRP facial is usually given as a short course of sessions spaced a few weeks apart, followed by occasional maintenance. The number depends on your skin, your goal and whether microneedling is combined. Results vary between people and build gradually, and the doctor reviews progress against your first photographs.
When can I wear make-up after a PRP facial?
Make-up is usually avoided until the skin has settled after a PRP facial, because the tiny channels in the skin are open to bacteria in the first hours. The doctor tells you when it is safe for your skin and which products to use first.
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