PRP – Working With Your Body To Optimise Your Body.

It can be hard to cut through the noise of the beauty industry, and actually know what works, and what’s right for us.

Over the years I have become more and more discerning about new treatments and all the industry’s offerings. After a few dodgy experiences with overhyped treatments – my approach has circled back to the actuality that less is more, and in fact, most of it unnecessary (not to mention the ludicrous pricing these days). Every so often though, a treatment comes along that feels worth it, makes sense, and actually does what it says – enter the world of Platelet-Rich Plasma, aka PRP. 

Not a new treatment, so to speak, but one I didn’t know much about aside a great review from a friend – I decided to do my due diligence and embark on a full PRP journey. As always, I set my standards high, and after a decent amount of research and recommendations, landed on testing out two of London’s most regarded clinics for PRP – Dr Maryam Zamani, and The PRP Lab Mayfair. I can now easily say, PRP might be the most innovative and intelligent response to skin health and body health that I have recently experienced in the aesthetic world.

The verdict; Genius, underrated, and yes, you will thank me later.

PRP – also known as Platelet-Rich Plasma – is a regenerative treatment that is completely and solely about working with your own body, specifically your blood, to accelerate healing and stimulate growth and renewal.

I’d originally heard about the treatment, dubbed ‘the vampire facial’ via Kim K’s viral bloody images across social media and was quick to dismiss it as a gory and superfluous Hollywood fad. However, a friend who was having some knee problems and turned to PRP had incredible results which turned my attention back to the underrated PRP.

Treatment involves taking a blood sample, which is then put into a machine and spun to separate the platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The PRP is either injected directly or used alongside microneedling in areas of damaged tissue or limited blood supply (think tendons, joints, and the scalp), where it releases growth factors that may help reduce pain and inflammation and stimulate tissue repair. The benefits for skin and aesthetics are impressive too, with studies showing improvements in fine lines and wrinkles, skin tone, and hair loss.

I visited The PRP Lab in Mayfair twice this year, where I learnt more about PRP and its offerings from its director and lead practitioner, Kam Dogan. As Kam explained: ‘It’s not just for aesthetics; it can be used in many areas. We do orthopaedics using PRP, so our orthopaedic doctor will inject PRP into musculoskeletal areas like the knees and tendons for healing and repair. We also work with a few eye clinics, where we provide PRP eye drops for patients to use post-laser eye surgery or for dry eyes. Then we use a PRP–PRF mixture for the under-eye area to add volume and help with dark circles. So PRP isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s very medical, and our biggest seller is PRP for hair loss. It’s really our bread and butter.”

Now, your plasma health matters most for this treatment. Seeing that the results rely solely on your own blood, optimising your blood and inner health is what really strengthens and boosts the treatment. So, if you’re super healthy, vitamin-efficient, you sleep well, eat well, and your plasma is the proof – then this treatment will be absolutely incredible. If the opposite applies, you may want to start by addressing your lifestyle and health before investing in this.

I knew after my initial session with Dr Maryam Zamani, that this treatment was the real deal. The results were obvious, and I was keen to understand more about PRP beyond its aesthetic benefits. At The PRP Lab in Mayfair, Kam helped answer many of my questions. The clinic takes a highly personalised approach, beginning with an assessment of each patient’s blood to determine how rich their plasma is and, ultimately, how effective the treatment may be. As I absolutely prioritise a healthy lifestyle, I am pretty proud to say I was deemed a great candidate.

Session One

My first session with the infamous Dr Maryam Zamani at her Chelsea clinic did not disappoint. After the dreaded blood taking (for me, this is the worst part), I had numbing cream applied and waited until my face was numb enough to start. We began with microneedling the plasma into the skin, which was not too painful. Then Dr Zamani injected the rest of my plasma into the specific zones – under eye, cheek, chin, etc, for a maximised result. This of course hurt, but was bearable. My face was a flushed red for a day or so, but my skin returned to a normal state within 24 hours, though it was a little dry for a couple of days. I could really start to see results that first week – mainly the smoothness and evenness, and by week two, my skin was noticeably more plump, firm, and genuinely glowing!

Session two and three

A month after my first treatment, I had my second session at The PRP Lab Mayfair. I love that this is a specialised clinic with its primary focus very much on PRP. The clinic itself feels more medical than luxury – with all focus on achieving results.

After my blood was taken and analysed, my sessions began with the injections, followed by microneedling in the remaining plasma. Kam used a higher intensity with the microneedling, which can obviously boost results, but definitely means more downtime. The next day I was pretty red, bumpy, super dry, and a little inflamed in areas. The downtime was a few days here.

My third session was the longest downtime yet. My skin was dry and bumpy for about four days, so I could only use super-gentle hydrating moisturisers and soft cleansers. I guess as it was my last, the intensity was turned up to reap the results. I definitely understand the value of this, but do prefer a slow and steady result with less downtime myself.

By day seven, my skin was looking and feeling amazing – hydrated and glowing. What was most noticeable for me was the firmness and thickness – it’s like my whole skin consistency had become bouncier, more elastic, and firm. It makes sense, as your own blood supply in your skin is turned up to whole new levels that ignite and stimulate big time.

The three sessions together, (a course of three is recommended for best results), delivered big on results for me. My skin has absolutely felt firmer, and smoother, and my tone more even since.

Thank God the aesthetic and beauty worlds are moving back to promoting ageing gracefully, and favouring aesthetic treatments and looks that appear as natural as possible. It is now less about over filling and stretching everything to an inch of itself, and more about focusing on treatments that can support our skin health with an inside-out approach. PRP shifts the focus away from layering more, and doing more by injecting foreign substances and fluids, and instead puts the emphasis on working with your body. This isn’t a treatment that will give you dramatic change (if that’s what your looking for), it’s more about subtle support over time to really encourage healing and promote healthy, strong cell renewal.

My sessions completely supported what I already understood about skin health, that nothing really will give you the results if you’re not living it. If your lifestyle is healthy, and you truly optimise this first – the results speak for themselves.  The Appeal of Not Looking ‘Done’ is one of the chicest statements you can now make, and PRP is a treatment to support that. It’s not about changing your face or demanding it to be a certain way, it’s about utilising your own body to maximise the quality. 

Ageing is stunning, because it’s a science, and supporting your inner health first is really the answer to the industry’s quest for longevity in skin health.