How Your Own Blood Becomes Part of the Treatment, What It Adds Beyond Standard Microneedling, and Who Gets the Most Out of It — A Guide for Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, and Frankfort

By Kabirat A. · Oxygen Med Spa, Orland Park, IL · Updated September 2026

Oxygen Med Spa — 14360 South La Grange Road, Unit D, Orland Park, IL 60462, serving Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Oak Lawn, and Frankfort. Open Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM, closed Sunday. (708) 229-8800 · book online.

Quick answer: A PRP facial, sometimes called a “vampire facial,” combines standard microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) drawn from your own blood. The microneedling creates controlled micro-channels in the skin, and the PRP is applied during the treatment so its growth factors absorb directly into those channels — giving your skin’s natural healing and collagen-building response an extra boost beyond what microneedling alone provides. It’s not a replacement for microneedling; it’s microneedling with an added layer of support drawn from your own body.

What PRP Actually Is

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. A small blood sample is drawn, similar to a routine lab test, then processed in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets and growth factors from the rest of the blood. This concentrated plasma is rich in the same healing signals your body naturally uses to repair tissue, which is why it’s used across a range of treatments beyond facials, from joint injections to hair restoration.

How a PRP Facial Actually Works

The process starts the same way as a standard microneedling session — fine needles create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, triggering your body’s natural collagen production. During a PRP facial, your own concentrated plasma is applied to the skin during or immediately after microneedling, allowing the growth factors to absorb directly into the micro-channels created by the needles. This combination is designed to enhance the healing and collagen-building response beyond what microneedling produces on its own.

What PRP Adds Beyond Standard Microneedling

Standard microneedling relies entirely on your skin’s own response to the micro-injury itself. Adding PRP introduces an additional concentrated source of growth factors directly into those channels, which many providers and patients believe accelerates healing and may enhance collagen production beyond what microneedling alone achieves. Because the plasma comes from your own blood, there’s minimal risk of an allergic reaction to the product itself, unlike some topical serums.

What It’s Typically Used For

Similar concerns to standard microneedling — fine lines, acne scarring, uneven texture, and overall skin quality — but often chosen by clients who want to maximize results from their microneedling sessions or who are dealing with more stubborn scarring or texture concerns that haven’t fully responded to microneedling alone.

What a Session Actually Involves

The appointment starts with a quick blood draw, similar to routine bloodwork. While the blood is being processed in the centrifuge, your skin is typically numbed and prepped. The microneedling portion of treatment proceeds as it normally would, with the processed PRP applied during or after the needling. The full appointment takes somewhat longer than standard microneedling alone, due to the blood draw and processing time.

Recovery: What to Expect

Recovery is similar to standard microneedling — redness and mild sensitivity for a day or two, similar to a mild sunburn. Because PRP is your own blood plasma rather than a foreign substance, it doesn’t typically add additional downtime or irritation beyond what microneedling alone involves.

Is PRP Worth the Extra Step?

This depends on your specific goals and how your skin has responded to standard microneedling in the past. If you’re already getting good results from microneedling alone, PRP is an enhancement rather than a necessity. Clients who’ve tried lighter options like microdermabrasion without seeing the depth of change they wanted often move toward PRP-enhanced microneedling instead. If you’re dealing with more stubborn scarring or want to maximize results from each session, the added growth factors may be worth discussing at a consultation.

How PRP Compares to Other Injectable Options

PRP facials work through a different mechanism than dermal fillers or Botox, since the goal is stimulating your skin’s own healing and collagen response rather than adding volume or relaxing muscle movement. It’s more comparable in purpose to microneedling and other collagen-stimulating treatments than to volumizing or muscle-relaxing injectables, and quite different from a quick, no-downtime option like our Hollywood Facial, which works at a much more surface level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a PRP facial hurt more than regular microneedling?
Not significantly. The additional step is primarily the blood draw and processing time, not added discomfort during the microneedling portion itself, since skin is numbed either way.

How is this different from a standard vampire facial I’ve heard about?
“Vampire facial” is simply another name for this same PRP-plus-microneedling combination — the terms are used interchangeably.

How many sessions will I need?
Similar to standard microneedling, a series of sessions spaced several weeks apart typically produces the most noticeable results, rather than a single treatment.

Is there any risk of allergic reaction to PRP?
Since PRP comes from your own blood, the risk of allergic reaction is minimal compared to topical products or synthetic treatments.

Can I add PRP to a microneedling session I’ve already scheduled?
This depends on scheduling and prep requirements — let the team know in advance if you’re interested so the appointment can be planned accordingly.

What does it cost?
PRP facials typically cost more than standard microneedling due to the blood processing involved. See our 2026 price list for current rates.

Where are you, and how do I book?
14360 South La Grange Road, Unit D, Orland Park, IL 60462. Book online or call; Monday–Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM.

See If PRP Is Worth Adding to Your Routine

Whether PRP is the right addition depends on your skin and goals, best assessed at a consultation with our experienced team. Book online or call (708) 229-8800.

Oxygen Med Spa · 14360 South La Grange Road, Unit D, Orland Park, IL 60462 · (708) 229-8800 · Mon–Sat, 10 AM–5 PM · Closed Sunday