The short answer: microneedling uses very fine needles to create controlled micro-channels in the skin. A PRP facial adds platelet-rich plasma, prepared from a small sample of your own blood, into that same treatment. Microneedling is the technique, PRP is what is applied through it, and done together they are one appointment rather than two.
If you’ve been researching ways to freshen up dull or tired-looking skin, two names come up again and again: microneedling and the PRP, or “Plasma Protein,” facial. They’re often mentioned in the same breath, sometimes even used together, which can make it hard to work out where one ends and the other begins. This guide breaks down what each treatment involves, how they differ, and how to think about which might suit you.
What is microneedling?
Microneedling is a treatment that uses a device fitted with very fine needles to create tiny, controlled channels in the surface of the skin. The idea behind it is that these micro-channels prompt the skin’s natural repair response, which is associated with the production of collagen and elastin over time.
A typical session is quick, and most people describe the sensation as tolerable rather than painful, particularly as a numbing cream is usually applied beforehand. Microneedling is popular because it’s a relatively straightforward, minimally invasive option, and it can be tailored to different areas and concerns. If you’d like the finer detail on preparation and recovery, we’ve covered that separately in our microneedling aftercare guide.
What is a PRP (Plasma Protein) facial?
A PRP facial builds on a similar principle but adds an extra step. PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. A small sample of your own blood is taken and spun in a centrifuge, which separates out the plasma that’s rich in platelets. This plasma contains growth factors, which are the signalling proteins the body naturally uses in its healing processes.
That plasma is then applied to the skin, frequently in combination with microneedling so that the micro-channels help the plasma reach beneath the surface. Because the plasma comes from your own body, it’s sometimes referred to informally as a “vampire facial.” At 360 Clinic, this is the treatment we offer as our Plasma Protein Facial.
How the two treatments differ
The clearest way to think about it is that microneedling is the mechanism and PRP is an added ingredient.
With microneedling on its own, you’re relying on the skin’s response to the micro-channelling alone. With a PRP or Plasma Protein Facial, you’re combining that same channelling with a plasma preparation drawn from your own blood. The rationale is that the growth factors in the plasma may complement the skin’s natural repair activity, though individual responses vary and results are never guaranteed.
Practically, this means a PRP facial involves one additional step you won’t have with standard microneedling: a blood draw. It’s a small sample, similar to a routine blood test, but it’s worth knowing about in advance if needles-and-blood isn’t your favourite thing. The in-clinic time is a little longer as a result, since the plasma has to be prepared while you’re there.
Can they be combined?
Yes — and in practice they very often are. The Plasma Protein Facial is essentially the two working together: microneedling creates the channels, and the plasma is applied so it can be delivered more effectively. The thinking is that pairing the two brings together the skin’s response to micro-channelling with the growth factors present in your own plasma. Whether that combination is right for you is something best decided in a consultation rather than from an article, because it depends on your skin, your goals, and your medical history.
If you have decided the combination is what you are after, you can read how we carry it out, including session length, aftercare and pricing, on our PRP treatment page.
Which might suit you?
There’s no universal answer here, and any clinic that promises one should be treated with caution. Instead, it’s worth thinking about a few practical points:
If you’re looking for a straightforward, minimally invasive treatment and you’d rather avoid a blood draw, standard microneedling may be the simpler starting point. If you’re specifically drawn to the idea of using your own plasma as part of the process, the Plasma Protein Facial is the option that includes it. Budget can also play a part, as the added preparation involved in a PRP facial typically makes it the more premium of the two.
The honest answer is that the “right” choice depends on factors a practitioner needs to assess in person — your skin type, what you’re hoping to achieve, and whether either treatment is suitable for you at all. That’s exactly what a consultation is for.
What a combined session involves
When PRP and microneedling are carried out together it is a single appointment. A practitioner takes a small sample of blood from your arm, much as a nurse would for a routine blood test. That sample goes into a centrifuge for a few minutes, which separates the platelet-rich portion of the plasma from the rest. While that is happening, a topical numbing cream is applied to the treatment area.
The microneedling device is then passed over the skin, creating the micro-channels described above, and the plasma is applied across the same area as this is done. Allow around 45 to 60 minutes from arriving to leaving. Most of that time is preparation rather than needling.
Aftercare
Expect the skin to look flushed, a little like mild sunburn, for the rest of the day. That usually settles within one to three days. Pinpoint bruising can happen where needles have been placed.
Leave the skin clean and make-up free for the rest of the treatment day. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, swimming pools, strenuous exercise and alcohol for 24 to 48 hours, keep the area out of direct sun, and use an SPF. Your practitioner will give you written aftercare before you leave.
How many sessions people typically have
Most people book a course of three sessions spaced four to six weeks apart, whether they are having microneedling on its own or with PRP. The right number for any one person depends on the area being treated and on their own circumstances, which is something to settle at a consultation rather than commit to in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Is a PRP facial the same as a vampire facial?
Yes. Vampire facial, PRP facial and plasma facial all describe the same procedure. The name refers to the small blood sample the plasma is prepared from, not to anything about how the session feels or looks.
Can you have microneedling without PRP?
Yes. Microneedling is carried out on its own very commonly, and it is the more affordable of the two. PRP is an addition to that treatment rather than a replacement for it, so the question is whether to add it, not which one to pick.
Does adding PRP make the session longer?
A little. The blood draw and the few minutes the centrifuge needs add roughly fifteen minutes to the appointment. A microneedling session on its own is usually around 30 to 45 minutes, and adding PRP takes it to around 45 to 60 minutes.
How much does PRP with microneedling cost?
At 360 Degree Clinic a single PRP facial session is £350, or £1,000 for a course of three. Microneedling on its own starts at £250 for the full face. Consultations are complimentary, so you can talk the options through before committing.
Is there any downtime?
Expect redness for the rest of the day and sometimes into the next. Most people go back to their normal routine straight afterwards, avoiding heat, exercise and make-up for the first 24 hours. Pinpoint bruising is possible but usually settles quickly.
Talk it through with 360 Clinic
If you’re weighing up microneedling against a Plasma Protein Facial, the most useful next step is a conversation with a qualified practitioner who can look at your skin and talk through your options honestly. You can read more about the treatment on our Plasma Protein Facial page, or get in touch with our Surbiton clinic to arrange a consultation and ask any questions before you commit to anything.
Related reading: what a vampire facial actually is, and what the evidence shows. If you would like to book, see PRP facial and vampire facial in Surbiton, PRP under eyes or PRP for hair loss. Consultations are free.