Sensitive Skin and PRP: What to Check First and What the Evidence Shows

Reactive skin and unsure what is safe? Ask a doctor first. Message us on WhatsApp, book a consultation or call 020 3951 3429.

Look after reactive skin first

The American Academy of Dermatology: How to test skin care products recommends testing a new product on a small area, such as the inner arm, twice daily for seven to 10 days before using it on your face. If red, itchy or swollen skin appears, wash it off gently and stop using it. Ingredients such as retinol and glycolic acid can irritate, particularly sensitive skin. If you cannot pin down the cause, a dermatologist can arrange patch testing, and you should then avoid the trigger, for example by choosing fragrance-free products.

What the evidence says about PRP and skin

A meta-analysis of PRP for skin ageing (PMC12894766) pooled 9 randomised controlled trials with 358 patients. PRP improved patient-reported satisfaction (risk ratio 1.34, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.67) and objective assessment (risk ratio 1.42, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.00) compared with controls. Adverse reactions were not significantly different (pooled risk ratio 1.21, 95% CI 0.50 to 2.92), although the confidence interval is wide.

Two honest limits. These trials were in adults with skin ageing, not in people selected for sensitive or reactive skin. And the authors note inconsistency between studies. So the results are encouraging for ageing skin, but they do not prove PRP suits every sensitive complexion.

Want to know if PRP suits your skin? Book a consultation. Message us on WhatsApp, book a consultation or call 020 3951 3429.

What a careful doctor will do

- Ask what your skin reacts to, and whether you have eczema, rosacea or a history of marks that darken.

- Review products and active ingredients you use, and pause irritants before any procedure.

- Explain realistic outcomes and likely short-term effects, so nothing is a surprise.

- Suggest a plan with review points, and tell you plainly if waiting or a simpler approach is better.

- If PRP is suitable, facial PRP is £450 per session, under-eye area included.

Checklist before you book

- List every product and active you use, including retinoids and acids.

- Note past reactions to skincare, fragrance or procedures.

- Photograph your skin in daylight now, for comparison.

- Tell the doctor about eczema, rosacea, cold sores and any medicines.

- Write down what you want to change, and what you would not accept.

Red flags

See a doctor promptly for a rash that spreads, blisters, weeps or swells, severe pain, or a reaction that does not settle after you stop a product.

How to start

A consultation with one of our doctors is £59 by phone (15 minutes), £150 by video or £220 in person at Unit 4, 10 Portman Square, London W1H 6AZ. We will talk through your skin, explain the free NHS routes and give you an honest view of what is worth doing.

Frequently asked questions

Is PRP safe for sensitive skin?

Trials in skin ageing found adverse reactions were not significantly different from controls, but those trials did not select for sensitive skin. A doctor should assess you first.

How do I test a new skincare product?

Apply it to a small test spot twice daily for seven to 10 days, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Does PRP work for skin?

A meta-analysis of 9 trials found improvements in satisfaction and objective assessment in ageing skin, with some inconsistency between studies.

Ready to talk to a doctor? Message us on WhatsApp, book a consultation or call 020 3951 3429.

Written by The Wellness Team and medically reviewed by The Wellness Clinical Team. This article is for information only and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.