Who Can Perform PRP Facials

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a minimally invasive treatment that can stimulate collagen production, promote wound healing, and smooth out the fine lines and wrinkles that come with age. It uses concentrated, platelet-dense plasma taken from the patient’s own blood.

The PRP facial, also known as the “vampire facial,” is particularly popular with patients seeking improved skin without invasive surgery. For trained professionals, this facial rejuvenation procedure is straightforward to perform and has few side effects.

But proper training is critical. And because PRP injections are considered medical procedures rather than aesthetic procedures, there are limits on who can perform them.

If you’re considering a PRP certification or planning to add this procedure to your practice, keep reading to learn who can perform PRP facials, the benefits of PRP procedures for patients and aesthetic practices alike, and what to expect from platelet rich plasma training.

Who Can Perform PRP Facials?

Every state has its own licensing and certification requirements for PRP facials and other minimally invasive aesthetic procedures. If you’re not sure whether you or a provider under your supervision is permitted to perform PRP facials, check with your state’s medical licensing board for more information.

In general, anyone with a recognized medical license can perform PRP facials. This includes:

Registered nurses (RNs) and BSNs
Nurse practitioners (NPs)
Physician’s assistants (PAs)
Medical and osteopathic doctors (MDs and DOs)
Dentists and oral surgeons

If required, certification is governed by applicable state regulations, which can vary from place to place. You should complete a course on PRP online or in-person before adding the procedure to your practice.

Benefits of Vampire Facials

Why add PRP to your practice? Because it’s an increasingly popular aesthetic treatment that produces visible, lasting results for patients.

No fillers or Botox®. Providers know that dermal fillers and Botox are safe and effective when administered by trained providers, but some patients remain wary. Because PRP is a non-filler biostimulator injection that utilizes components of the patient’s own blood to spur the body’s natural healing processes and rejuvenate the skin, it’s more appealing to skeptics.

Complementary to other treatments. PRP can easily be used in conjunction with other minimally invasive treatments, such as laser therapy and microneedling. In fact, microneedling is often used during PRP facial procedures to encourage absorption of the platelet serum. PRP can also be used in conjunction with Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers, which may be more effective at reducing deep lines and wrinkles.

Outpatient convenience. Like other minimally invasive aesthetic treatments, PRP is an in-office procedure that doesn’t require overnight monitoring or frequent follow-ups.

PRP Facial Training: Who Can Participate and What to Expect

Ready to add PRP facials to your practice? Look for a training program overseen by board-certified medical specialists. It should cover the following:

The scientific basis for PRP. This should cover the components of PRP and the action mechanisms of its growth factors.

The PRP preparation process. The course should cover drawing the small amount of patient blood required for the procedure, how the platelets are separated by centrifuge, and how the resulting serum is prepared for use in the patient.

Live patient demonstrations. The course should include a live demonstration module and offer in-person participants the option to practice.

Treatment planning. PRP facial treatment plans generally require several office visits spaced a few weeks apart.

Patient intake and exclusion. The course should cover PRP marketing, patient intake, and contraindications. You should have access to sample intake forms and other supplemental materials.

Patient follow-up. The course should cover potential side effects and best practices for managing post-treatment patients.