PRP Treatments Tampa, FL
There is a refreshing shift happening in aesthetics right now, moving away from heavy alterations and leaning into smart, high-tech maintenance. It is less about changing who you see in the mirror and more about giving your skin the resources it needs to stay bouncy, bright, and resilient. Living in Tampa brings plenty of sun and an active lifestyle, so having a biological "reset button" for your complexion just makes sense.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) serves as that perfect natural boost. By harnessing the growth factors already circulating in your body, we can encourage hair follicles to thicken and under-eye skin to brighten on its own terms. At Temmen Plastic Surgery, Dr. Traci Temmen uses this treatment to help you preserve your natural radiance and keep your look fresh, effortless, and entirely yours.
Platelet-Rich Plasma, commonly referred to as PRP, is an autologous serum (meaning it comes 100% from you) that contains a high concentration of healing platelets.
To understand how it works, we have to look at your blood components. Your blood is primarily made up of liquid (plasma), red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. While platelets are best known for their ability to clot blood and stop bleeding, they also play a much more complex role in the body’s recovery system. They are reservoirs of powerful growth factors and cytokines signaling proteins that tell the body to rush nutrients to an area, build new blood vessels, and repair tissue damage.
While PRP is now a staple in medical spas and plastic surgery practices, its origins are in orthopedic medicine. For years, doctors have used PRP therapy to treat elite athletes recovering from sports injuries, tendon injuries, and ligament tears. It has been used extensively to promote healing in joints affected by arthritis and to accelerate recovery after complex surgeries.
The logic was simple: if PRP injections could regenerate cartilage and repair a torn Achilles tendon, they could certainly regenerate the collagen matrix in the skin or the shrinking follicles of the scalp. Today, we use that same medical-grade technology to reverse signs of aging and restore health to the skin.
PRP stands apart from other aesthetic treatments because it is strictly biological. We are not asking your body to accept a foreign substance; we are simply concentrating its own healing power and placing it where it is needed most. This makes it an exceptionally low-risk option for patients who want to improve tissue quality without looking "done."
Ideally Suited For Purists
Most healthy adults are excellent candidates for PRP because it uses your own blood, minimizing risks. It is effective across all skin types and tones. However, patients with certain blood disorders, active infections, or low platelet counts may not be eligible. During your consultation, we will review your medical history to ensure it is safe for you.
Does the blood draw hurt? The blood draw is identical to a standard lab test. If you are comfortable with having your blood drawn at a doctor’s office, you will be fine with this step. We use a small needle, and the process takes less than a minute.
PRP is a straightforward medical procedure that is performed entirely in our office. Because it uses your own biological material, it is incredibly safe, with virtually no risk of allergic reaction or rejection.
The appointment begins much like a routine blood test. A small amount of blood (usually about 10–20ml, similar to a standard lab draw) is drawn from your arm. This small sample is all we need to harvest the necessary growth factors.
The vial of blood is placed into a centrifuge, a device that spins at high speeds to separate the blood components based on density. This process isolates the red blood cells (which we don't need) from the golden-hued plasma and platelets. The result is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)—a serum with a platelet concentration up to 5 to 10 times higher than normal blood.
The PRP is then prepared for application. Depending on your goals, it will either be injected deeply into specific treatment areas or applied topically during a microneedling session.
To ensure the process is comfortable, we apply a prescription-strength topical numbing cream to the treatment area roughly 30 to 45 minutes prior. Most patients report feeling only mild pressure during the injections.
At Temmen Plastic Surgery, Dr. Traci Temmen and our expert team customize PRP protocols for three primary purposes: hair restoration, under-eye rejuvenation, and overall skin quality.
Hair thinning is one of the most common complaints we hear, and it often begins earlier than patients expect. Hair restoration with PRP is a non-surgical option for men and women experiencing early-stage hair loss, widening parts, or generalized thinning.
When injected into the scalp, the growth factors in PRP reach the base of the hair follicle. The biochemistry here is fascinating: the PRP prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, increases the diameter of existing hairs, and can re-awaken dormant follicles that have stopped producing.
Is it right for you? PRP is most effective for patients who still have active hair follicles. It is not a cure for complete baldness (where the follicle is gone), but it creates significant improvement for those with thinning hair. Many patients notice a reduction in shedding first, followed by natural hair growth and improved density over a series of treatments.
The skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the body, making it the first place to reveal age, stress, and fatigue. Many patients struggle with dark circles, hollows, and crepey texture here.
While dermal fillers are often used to treat deep hollows (tear troughs), they aren’t always the best solution for surface issues like darkness or fine lines. Furthermore, fillers in the under-eye area can sometimes lead to the "Tyndall effect" (a bluish tint) or puffiness if not placed perfectly.
PRP injections offer a completely natural alternative. By thickening the dermis and stimulating new collagen, PRP improves the structural integrity of the under-eye skin. It creates a brighter, smoother look without the risk of migration or lumpiness associated with synthetic fillers.
Microneedling creates thousands of controlled micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate a wound-healing response. When we add PRP to this process, the results are exponential.
During this treatment, the PRP is painted onto the skin while the microneedling device glides over the surface. The micro-channels allow the PRP to penetrate deep into the dermis, where it can maximize collagen and elastin production. This combination is powerful for treating:
One of the most appealing aspects of PRP treatments is the minimal downtime. Because we are not introducing a foreign substance or performing invasive surgery, healing is rapid.
We always advise patients to avoid anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen) for a few days before and after the procedure, as we actually want the inflammatory response to occur—that is what triggers the repair process.
It is important to understand that PRP is a biological therapy, not a cosmetic camouflage. Unlike dermal fillers, which offer instant volume, PRP works by stimulating your body to repair itself. This means results are gradual and progressive.
Because PRP is a highly customizable therapy, the cost varies depending on the treatment area (e.g., scalp vs. under-eyes) and the number of sessions recommended for your specific anatomy. During your private consultation with Dr. Temmen or our expert injectors, we will map out a full treatment plan and provide a clear, written quote.
We believe that premium aesthetic care should be accessible. We accept major credit cards and offer financing options to help you manage the cost of your care. While insurance typically does not cover PRP for aesthetic purposes, many patients view it as a high-value investment in delaying the need for more invasive surgical procedures later on.
In a market flooded with medspas and chain clinics offering PRP treatments in Tampa, the provider you choose matters.
Dr. Traci Temmen is one of the few board-certified female plastic surgeons in the Tampa Bay area. Her practice is built on a foundation of medical rigor and safety. While PRP is considered a low-risk, natural treatment, it still requires precise technique and sterile processing to ensure safety and efficacy.
While PRP is widely used in sports medicine for joint pain, tendon injuries, and sports injuries, Dr. Temmen’s practice focuses exclusively on the aesthetic applications of PRP (skin and hair). If you are seeking relief for arthritis or orthopedic pain, we recommend seeing a sports medicine specialist, though the underlying technology—using growth factors to treat tissue damage—is the same.
Dermal fillers (like Juvéderm or Restylane) are gels injected to physically fill a space or add volume. PRP therapy is a liquid stimulation treatment that improves the quality of the tissue itself. They are often complementary; fillers provide the shape, while PRP provides the glow and skin health.
In orthopedic settings, ultrasound guidance is often used to inject PRP into deep ligaments or joints. For aesthetic treatments like scalp and facial injections, ultrasound is generally not necessary, as the target layers (dermis and subcutaneous tissue) are superficial and easily accessible by our expert injectors.
There is very minimal downtime. You can drive yourself home and resume most regular activities immediately. We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for 24 hours to minimize swelling and bruising, but you will not need to take time off work.
Nothing can stop the clock completely, but PRP significantly slows the visible signs of aging by keeping the collagen matrix strong and healthy. Regular treatments act as "maintenance" for your skin’s infrastructure, helping you age more gracefully and naturally.
This nickname became popular in the media because a small amount of the plasma (and sometimes a few red blood cells) sits on the surface of the skin during the microneedling process, giving it a red appearance for a short time. Despite the dramatic name, the benefits of PRP are grounded in serious science, not hype.
