‘How many PRP sessions do I need? How is it different from skin booster?’ are the two most common PRP questions at Rappoel Dermatology near Gangnam Station. PRP uses the patient’s own blood-derived high-concentration platelet plasma and is considered one of the most ‘natural’ non-filler injection treatments. This article consolidates the real clinical session count, timeline, side effects, and best-fit patient profile.

What is PRP? How it differs from skin booster and Rejuran

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is a treatment that draws the patient’s own blood, centrifuges it to obtain growth-factor-rich plasma, and reinjects it into the skin. Platelet growth factors stimulate collagen production, skin repair, and angiogenesis. How PRP differs from other skin injection treatments:

• Skin booster (HA + nutrients): external ingredients — relies on HA hydration and nutrients, immediate effect but short maintenance (1-3 months)
• Rejuran (PDRN, salmon DNA): external repair ingredient — relies on PDRN stimulating cell regeneration, gradual effect lasting about 6-12 months
• PRP (autologous serum): autologous growth factors — uses the patient’s own blood-derived growth factors to stimulate collagen; gradual effect, lasting 12-18 months; zero rejection is the headline advantage

Simple memory: skin booster ‘hydrates immediately’; Rejuran ‘uses external repair’; PRP ‘uses your own blood to stimulate your own repair.’

How many PRP sessions? Three categories by age and skin condition

The number of PRP sessions is mainly determined by ‘age’ and ‘skin condition.’ Rappoel’s clinical session recommendation:

• Ages 30-40, good skin (mild pores, fine lines): standard 3-session course is enough — skin still has natural repair ability, small stimulation brings clear improvement
• Ages 40-50, declining skin (large pores, noticeable fine lines): 3-4 sessions recommended — skin repair ability has declined, more stimulation is needed for stable improvement
• Age 50+, significant aging (deep wrinkles, dull tone): usually 4+ sessions — may combine with skin booster, Rejuran, Thermage FLX, etc.
• Adjunctive use (combined with other treatments): single PRP combined with laser, Ultherapy, Thermage — accelerates repair and boosts overall effect

Key concept: PRP is a ‘gradual self-repair stimulation’ treatment — results need time to accumulate and vary by individual biology, similar to Sculptra but with higher safety due to fully autologous source.

When will PRP results appear? Complete timeline

Unlike most fillers, PRP is a ‘gradual’ treatment and needs time to accumulate. The complete effect timeline:

• Immediately after: mild redness and swelling at injection sites; the injection volume makes skin slightly full — this is not the final result, fading in 1-2 days
• 1-2 weeks: redness fully resolves, skin feels more stable than before
• 4-6 weeks (at session 2): growth factors from session 1 enter active phase; skin feels thicker and brighter; physician assesses whether to adjust session 2 dose
• 3 months: collagen regeneration and skin repair become visible; pores, fine lines, and tone improve
• 6 months: full effect — this is PRP’s real appearance
• 12-18 months: effect gradually fades; consider the next full course

PRP’s limitations and who should not get it

Although PRP has ‘zero rejection,’ it is not for everyone, and results are not universally satisfying:

• Results vary greatly by biology: platelet concentration and growth factor activity vary with the patient’s health status and age — chronic lack of sleep, smoking, or malnutrition may reduce effectiveness
• Who should not get PRP: pregnant or breastfeeding patients, blood disorders (e.g., thrombocytopenia, hemophilia), patients on anticoagulants, those with infection or inflammation at injection sites, autoimmune disease patients
• Limited-effect patients: 60+ with significant aging — PRP alone has limited effect, needs to combine with other treatments; patients with unrealistic expectations — PRP is not ‘instant fullness’
• Treatments PRP cannot replace: PRP cannot replace Botox for deep wrinkles, ultrasound lifting for obvious laxity, HA filler for obvious volume loss — it is ‘adjunctive rejuvenation,’ not ‘comprehensive rejuvenation’

How to choose between PRP and Rejuran?

PRP and Rejuran both belong to ‘gradual skin rejuvenation’ treatments, but their source and mechanism differ:

• PRP (autologous serum): source is the patient’s own blood, growth factors are diverse — advantage is ‘zero rejection’; lasting 12-18 months; suits patients pursuing ‘natural, no foreign substances’
• Rejuran (PDRN, salmon DNA): source is external PDRN, structure is stable — advantage is ‘predictable effect, stable quality’; lasting about 6-12 months; suits patients pursuing ‘stable quality, predictable effect’
• Cost and sessions: PRP requires blood draw and centrifugation, so the per-session cost is higher; Rejuran is relatively cheaper per session
• Best fit: PRP is more effective for dull tone and large pores; Rejuran is more effective for fine lines and sensitive skin repair. The choice should be made with a physician based on individual skin and expectations

Many patients alternate PRP and Rejuran to combine the ‘autologous’ and ‘external stable’ advantages, but this requires physician planning.

What a real PRP session looks like at Rappoel

Beyond individual biology, PRP’s effect largely depends on centrifugation purification and injection depth. Rappoel’s standard procedure:

• Step 1 · Consultation and blood check: physician learns the patient’s skin condition and expectations; if the patient has blood disorders or is on anticoagulants, the physician evaluates suitability
• Step 2 · Blood draw: about 10-20ml of venous blood is drawn into a special tube
• Step 3 · Centrifugation: use a certified PRP kit and centrifuge to separate high-concentration platelet plasma — centrifugation speed and time directly affect PRP purity
• Step 4 · Photo documentation: frontal and lateral before-photos as baseline for the course
• Step 5 · Numbing: topical anesthetic for about 20-30 minutes
• Step 6 · Layered injection: physician injects in layered fashion into subcutaneous or dermal depths using a skin booster gun or cannula
• Step 7 · Post-care: explains post-treatment precautions and schedules the next session (4-6 weeks later)

Rappoel uses certified PRP kits and centrifuges; the purity and concentration of each batch are strictly controlled — this is the key to stable PRP effect.

Post-PRP precautions and common side effects

Because PRP is autologous, side effects are minimal, but post-care is still important:

• Common and temporary side effects: mild redness, swelling, and bruising at injection sites (1-2 weeks); short-term tenderness at injection sites
• Rare but worth noting: local infection (very rare, related to aseptic technique), allergic reaction (very rare even with autologous serum, but still worth noting)
• Day of treatment: normal work is fine but avoid strenuous exercise and high-heat environments
• First week: avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga; do not press hard on injection areas; intensify moisturizing and sun protection
• Interval to next session: at least 4 weeks; most patients follow 4-6 weeks to complete the course

Related reading: the comprehensive PRP introduction is at PRP skin rejuvenation in Seoul; Rejuran skin booster course frequency is at Rejuran PDRN skin regeneration in Seoul; the full PRP vs Rejuran comparison is at Rejuran skin booster in Seoul.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wondering if PRP fits your skin? Book a consultation at Rappoel — your physician will assess skin and health status to design a tailored course!

📍 77, Seocho-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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