PRP Liquid vs. PRP Gel: What’s the Difference and Which One Is Right for You?

At Self Skin Studio in Wilmington, NC, we love using regenerative treatments that work with your body’s natural healing process—and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one of the most effective options we offer. There are two ways we use PRP in our treatments: PRP liquid and PRP gel. While both are derived from your own blood and packed with growth factors, they work differently depending on your skin goals.

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, a golden-colored serum that’s drawn from your own blood. It’s rich in platelets, growth factors, and proteins that promote skin healing, improve elasticity, and stimulate collagen production. 

Here’s how it works:

• We draw a small amount of your blood
• It’s spun in a centrifuge to separate the PRP
• The PRP is then used in either injectable form (PRP liquid) or transformed into PRP Gel

This natural approach supports brighter, healthier, smoother skin—using your body’s own repair system.

PRP gel is a thicker, more volumizing form of PRP. After we extract your platelet-rich plasma, we heat and cool it to create a gel-like consistency. This allows us to use PRP not just to boost collagen but to restore volume naturally. We typically inject PRP gel in areas like the under eyes, cheeks, and temples. This makes it an excellent option for patients who want a natural, regenerative filler alternative—especially indelicate or high-movement areas. 

Benefits of PRP Gel:

• Adds volume and structure to hollow areas
• Stimulates collagen and elastin production
• Improves skin health
• Softens lines and reduces discoloration
• Improves skin quality and elasticity

PRP liquid is the classic injectable form of platelet-rich plasma. It’s used to rejuvenate the skin and scalp, improve texture and tone, and encourage natural healing at the cellular level.

We typically use PRP liquid to treat under-eye discoloration, soften nasolabial folds (commonly known as smile lines), improve overall skin quality, and stimulate hair regrowth on the scalp  ². These areas benefit from the regenerative effects of PRP, which helps brighten skin tone, smooth texture, and support healthier, more resilient tissue over time. One of our favorite pairings is PRP and microneedling—it accelerates healing time and boosts collagen for even healthier skin. 3

Benefits of PRP Liquid:

• Stimulates collagen and elastin production
• Brightens the skin and improves tone
• Reduces dark circles and pigmentation
• Encourages hair regrowth in areas of thinning
• Accelerates skin healing when paired with microneedling

Both treatments use your body’s own healing components to deliver visible improvement—but your goals will help determine which is right for you.

• Choose PRP Liquid if your focus is on smoothing texture, brightening tone, softening lines, promoting hair regrowth, or adding a boost to your microneedling treatment.
• Choose PRP Gel if you want to restore volume, support skin structure, or address hollowness in the under-eye or cheek areas. If you’re unsure, we’ll help guide you during your consultation. In some cases, we even combine both treatments to deliver optimal results.

Whether you’re receiving PRP liquid or PRP gel, your visit will follow the same basic structure:

1. Consultation – We review your skin concerns and build a customized treatment plan.

2. Blood Draw & PRP Prep – We take a small sample of your blood and spin it in a centrifuge to isolate the PRP.

3. Injection – We carefully inject the PRP liquid or PRP gel into the selected treatment areas. If you are pairing it with microneedling, then we’ll needle it into the skin.

4. Aftercare – You may experience mild swelling, redness, or bruising

When Will I See My PRP Results?

Both forms of PRP work gradually as your body produces more collagen and elastin.

PRP Liquid: Most people notice brighter, firmer skin within a few weeks, with continued improvement over 1–3 months.

PRP Gel: You may notice volume right away, with enhanced skin quality and longer-term improvements developing over 4–6 weeks. We typically recommend a series of 2–5 treatments, spaced 4–6 weeks apart, to build and maintain your results.

PRP liquid and PRP gel are both excellent, natural ways to rejuvenate your skin and address early signs of aging. Whether you’re hoping to restore lost volume to the under eyes, stimulate collagen, or improve skin quality, we’re here to help. Book a consultation with one of our experienced injectors at Self Skin Studio in Wilmington, NC, and we’ll guide you toward the best option for your skin goals.

References
1. Marx, R. E. (2004). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): What is PRP and what is notPRP? Implant Dentistry, 10(4), 225–228. 2. Alves, R., & Grimalt, R. (2018). A review of platelet-rich plasma: History, biology,mechanism of action, and classification. Skin Appendage Disorders, 4(1), 18–24. 3. American Academy of Dermatology. (2023). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): What it is &how it helps rejuvenate the skin. 4. Ghanem, A., & Mansour, K. (2021). PRP gel as a natural filler for facial volumization:Clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

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