Is The Secret to Restoring Youth Already Coded in Your Biology?
- Gary M. Rudashevsky, NP
- 1 day ago
- 12 min read
PRP therapy at Medical Specialists MN can help you move better, look better, and feel like yourself again… naturally.
Aging doesn't have to feel like a sentence. Every day, our team works with patients in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond who are discovering that their best years are not behind them.
What's holding you back may be more addressable than you think. Sagging skin. Low energy. Joint pain that slows you down. These are not just signs of getting older. They are signals your body is sending, and signals can be answered.
At Medical Specialists MN, we treat your symptoms and your system. Precision treatments like PRP, combined with hormone optimization and advanced wellness protocols, work together to restore function at a fundamental level. Not a temporary fix. A smarter foundation.
The most vital version of you is still in there. We help you find them.
Move better. Look better. Feel better. Not with fillers. Not with synthetic compounds. With your own biology, concentrated and redirected.
Quick take: what you need to know about PRP
What if the key to younger skin, fuller hair, and less pain was coded in your biology all along?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy concentrates the healing components in your own blood and delivers them directly where your body needs repair. A nurse or provider draws a small vial from your arm, spins it in a centrifuge, and injects the resulting concentrate into a joint, the scalp, the face, or tissue involved in intimate function. The entire visit takes about 45 minutes.
PRP is not a miracle. It will not regrow a destroyed knee or reverse 20 years of skin aging in a single session. But a growing body of clinical evidence shows it can meaningfully reduce pain from osteoarthritis, accelerate hair regrowth, improve sexual sensation and erectile quality, and refresh facial skin when performed by trained providers who set honest expectations.
At Medical Specialists MN in Edina, PRP is one tool inside a broader regenerative and wellness practice that includes hormone optimization, acoustic wave therapy, peptide protocols, and advanced lab testing. The team does not sell PRP as a standalone fix. They build a plan around the individual.
What is PRP and why does it work?
Your body still carries the codes. PRP helps you use them.
Your blood contains red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets. Platelets are tiny cell fragments best known for clotting, but they also carry more than 300 bioactive proteins, including growth factors like PDGF, TGF-beta, VEGF, and EGF. These proteins tell surrounding tissue to grow new blood vessels, recruit stem cells, calm inflammation, and lay down collagen.
When you cut your finger, platelets rush to the wound and release those growth factors. PRP therapy concentrates that process. By spinning your blood in a centrifuge, your provider isolates a layer of plasma containing 3 to 7 times the normal platelet count. Injecting that concentrate into a damaged joint, thinning scalp, or aging facial tissue delivers a targeted dose of your body's own repair signals.
Because PRP comes from your own blood, the risk of allergic reaction or immune rejection is essentially zero. The main risks are the same as any injection: temporary soreness, bruising, or, rarely, infection at the injection site. A 2025 review in Cureus covering more than a decade of orthopedic PRP research found no serious adverse events across thousands of patients.
Move better: PRP for joint pain, tendon injuries, and orthopedic recovery
Youth, mobility, renewal. What if the code was in your biology the whole time?
Orthopedic use is where PRP has the longest track record and the strongest clinical data.
Knee osteoarthritis
A 2022 double-blind study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine compared PRP with corticosteroid injections in both knees of the same patients, removing the guesswork of person-to-person variation. Both treatments reduced pain. But the PRP-treated knees maintained improvement in stiffness and function over time, while the steroid-treated knees began losing ground after a few months. A 2025 review paper confirmed this pattern across multiple trials: PRP consistently outperformed hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid injections for knee OA, with benefits lasting 6 to 12 months or longer depending on severity.
That does not mean PRP works for every knee. Patients with bone-on-bone arthritis or significant structural damage typically get less benefit. The best candidates have mild to moderate cartilage loss, active inflammation, and the patience to let the biology work over several weeks.
Tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue
PRP is also being used for tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), Achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis. The evidence here is more mixed. Some trials show clear benefit over cortisone injections, particularly for chronic tendon problems that have not responded to physical therapy. Others show similar outcomes. The difference often comes down to how the PRP is prepared and how many injections are given.
At Medical Specialists MN, PRP for injury recovery is part of a multi-layered approach. Providers like Gary Rudashevsky, NP combine PRP with acoustic wave therapy, targeted exercise protocols, and sometimes hormone optimization, because testosterone and growth hormone levels directly affect tissue repair speed.
Look better: PRP for facial rejuvenation
What if the secret to looking younger and feeling like yourself again was already inside you?
The names are dramatic, but the science is grounded. Both the Vampire Facial and the Vampire Facelift use PRP to stimulate collagen production and improve skin quality. The difference is delivery method.
Vampire Facial® (PRP + microneedling)
In a Vampire Facial, a provider performs microneedling across the face, creating thousands of tiny channels in the skin. PRP is injected into the skin and applied topically during and after the microneedling, so the growth factors penetrate into the deeper layers of the dermis. The combination triggers a wound-healing response that builds new collagen over the following 4 to 8 weeks.
A 2021 systematic appraisal in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal reviewed PRP for facial rejuvenation and found that most studies reported measurable improvement in wrinkles, skin texture, and elasticity. A more recent 2025 review in a dermatology journal found that platelet concentrates improved skin texture, reduced fine lines, and diminished dark under-eye circles, with high patient satisfaction scores across studies.
Look better: PRP for hair restoration
Hair loss might be the PRP application with the most consistent positive data right now. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis covering 43 randomized controlled trials and 1,877 participants confirmed that activated PRP significantly increases hair density and reduces recurrence compared to placebo. Patients with androgenetic alopecia, the most common pattern of thinning in both men and women, showed the clearest benefits.
Medical Specialists MN offers PRP hair restoration for both men and women, and recently published a guide on PRP for women's hair regrowth that walks through what to expect from the treatment series. Most protocols involve 3 to 4 sessions spaced about a month apart, followed by maintenance sessions every 6 to 12 months.
PRP works best on hair follicles that are still alive but miniaturized, producing thinner, weaker hairs. If a follicle has been dormant for years, PRP is unlikely to resurrect it. Starting treatment earlier in the thinning process generally produces better results.
Feel better: The O-Shot® for women's intimate wellness
Your blood already knows how to restore you. PRP therapy puts that knowledge to work.
The O-Shot is a PRP injection placed into the anterior vaginal wall and the tissue surrounding the clitoris. The goal is to improve blood flow, nerve sensitivity, and tissue health in the areas most directly involved in arousal and orgasm.
A 2020 clinical study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that women who received PRP injections in the lower anterior vaginal wall reported statistically significant improvements in overall sexual function scores, orgasm quality, and genital self-image compared to baseline. A larger randomized controlled trial (NCT05769283) is currently testing PRP against placebo injection to determine exactly how much of the benefit comes from the biological treatment versus the placebo effect. That study should give clinicians much clearer answers.
Who asks about the O-Shot?
Women come in with a range of concerns: difficulty reaching orgasm, reduced sensation after childbirth or menopause, vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, and mild stress urinary incontinence. At Medical Specialists MN, the O-Shot fits inside a broader intimate wellness program that may also address hormone imbalances with BHRT, acoustic wave therapy for women, and peptides like PT-141 for arousal support.
Honest expectation-setting matters here. Some women notice a real change within a few weeks. Others feel subtle improvement. A few notice nothing. PRP is not a guaranteed fix, and any provider who promises dramatic results for every patient is overselling the current evidence.
Feel better: The P-Shot® for men's intimate wellness
For men dealing with erectile dysfunction or reduced sensitivity, the question is rarely simple and the answer is rarely one thing. The P-Shot, or Priapus Shot, is a PRP injection placed along the shaft and into the corpus cavernosum of the penis. The goal is to support blood vessel health, nerve recovery, and tissue quality, with the aim of improving erectile function, sensitivity, and over a series of treatments, potentially modest gains in girth.
The clinical picture is evolving. A 2022 pilot study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research showed measurable improvements in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores in men who received intracavernosal PRP injections. A comprehensive 2026 review in Frontiers in Reproductive Health notes that PRP alone does not yet demonstrate consistent, large-scale improvements compared with established ED treatments like PDE5 inhibitors or trimix injections. That is an honest assessment, and it reflects where the research stands today.
What the evidence does support is this: multi-modal approaches consistently outperform single-treatment protocols for erectile dysfunction. That is exactly how Medical Specialists MN approaches it. Gary Rudashevsky, NP, brings a clinical background in urology to this work, which means patients receive a thorough evaluation that goes beyond the symptom. His training in urologic care gives men a level of medical-grade confidence that is rare in this field, along with unmatched comfort during the procedure.
The P-Shot is one option inside a full ED treatment framework that includes oral medications, acoustic wave therapy, testosterone optimization, and peptide therapy. Stacking treatments that address different mechanisms, such as blood flow, nerve function, hormones, and smooth muscle health, tends to produce better, longer-lasting results than relying on any single approach.
If you have been told there are no good options, that conversation is worth revisiting.
What to expect during a PRP visit
Regardless of the treatment area, the general flow of a PRP appointment at Medical Specialists MN looks like this:
Consultation and exam. Your provider reviews your symptoms, medical history, and goals. They confirm PRP is appropriate or suggest an alternative.
Blood draw. A nurse draws blood from a vein in your arm, just like a standard lab draw.
Centrifuge processing. The blood spins for 10 to 15 minutes, separating red cells from the platelet-rich layer.
Numbing. The treatment area is cleaned and numbed with a topical anesthetic or local injection.
PRP injection. The concentrated plasma is injected into the target tissue.
Aftercare. You rest briefly, receive written instructions, and head home. Most patients return to desk work the same day. Heavy exercise and sexual activity are typically restricted for 24 to 72 hours depending on the procedure.
The whole visit takes about 45 minutes to an hour. There is no general anesthesia, no surgical incision, and no extended downtime.
Who should avoid PRP?
PRP is not appropriate for everyone. Your provider may recommend against it if you have an active infection near the treatment site, a blood disorder that affects platelet function (like thrombocytopenia), severe anemia, uncontrolled diabetes, cancer currently being treated with chemotherapy, or if you are taking blood thinners that cannot be safely paused. Certain supplements like high-dose fish oil and NSAIDs like ibuprofen can also reduce platelet effectiveness, so your provider will review your full medication and supplement list before scheduling.
Is PRP covered by insurance in Minnesota?
Most insurance carriers still classify PRP as investigational or elective, which means coverage is limited or unavailable. Medical Specialists offers these advanced treatments as cash-pay services. Our team can walk you through expected costs, and payment plan options are available for patients who prefer to spread out the investment. Check the current promotions page and new patient specials for any active PRP offers.
Why patients across the Twin Cities choose Medical Specialists MN for PRP
There are plenty of clinics in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro offering PRP. Here is what makes this Edina clinic different.
PRP is part of a larger, holistic understanding of how your interconnected systems are functioning as a whole. Our providers may evaluate hormones, metabolic markers, and lifestyle factors before recommending any procedure. A man coming in for the P-Shot may discover his testosterone is low, which is contributing to the problem more than anything an injection can fix on its own. A woman asking about the O-Shot might benefit from BHRT first. Our team treats the system, not the symptom.
Our clinic's in-house lab and direct-access testing mean your bloodwork results come back fast, often the same day. That speeds up the process of building your treatment plan.
Our practice serves patients from across Minnesota and the surrounding region, with a service area that extends well beyond the Twin Cities. Patients travel from Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud, and western Wisconsin because the combination of regenerative medicine, hormone optimization, and wellness medicine under one roof is hard to find.
Frequently asked questions about PRP therapy in Minnesota
How long do PRP results last?
For joint pain, many patients experience 6 to 12 months of relief. Some get longer. Hair restoration results can last 12 to 18 months with maintenance sessions. Facial rejuvenation improvements build over 2 to 3 months and last 12 to 18 months. Intimate wellness results vary, with some patients noticing changes for 12 months or more and others opting for annual touch-ups.
How many PRP sessions will I need? Joint and tendon treatments often require 1 to 3 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Hair restoration typically involves 3 to 4 initial sessions plus maintenance every 6 to 12 months. Facial PRP is usually performed as a series of 3 treatments. Your provider will recommend a protocol based on your exam, imaging, and response to the first treatment.
Does PRP hurt?
The blood draw feels like any standard lab draw. The injection itself varies by area. Joint injections feel like brief pressure. Facial microneedling with PRP is preceded by a topical numbing cream and is tolerable for most people. Intimate wellness injections use local anesthetic and most patients describe the discomfort as a 2 or 3 out of 10.
Can PRP be combined with other treatments?
Yes, and this is where Medical Specialists MN's approach adds real value. PRP pairs well with acoustic wave therapy for pain and erectile function, hormone therapy for tissue repair and intimate health, HydraFacials for skin quality, and targeted exercise for orthopedic recovery. Multi-modal treatment plans tend to produce better, longer-lasting results.
Is PRP FDA-approved?
The FDA has cleared centrifuge devices used to prepare PRP, but PRP itself is not FDA-approved as a drug. It falls into the category of autologous blood products. This is common in regenerative medicine. It means the treatment is legal to perform by licensed providers, but it also means insurance coverage remains limited and patients should seek providers who follow evidence-based protocols.
How do I get started with PRP?
You can schedule a consultation through the website or call the Edina office directly. At your first visit, your provider will review your concerns, run labs if needed, and build a plan. If PRP is appropriate, you can often get your first treatment the same day as your consultation.
Explore our PRP and regenerative medicine resources
Sources
[1] Platelet rich plasma applications in orthopedics: A review. PMC, 2025.
[2] Double-Blind RCT Comparing PRP with Corticosteroid for Knee OA. Am J Sports Med, 2022.
[3] PRP in Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Appraisal. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2021.
[4] Current advances in PRP therapy for erectile dysfunction. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 2026.
[5] Pilot study of intracavernosal PRP injections (The P-Shot). Int J Impotence Research, 2022.
[6] PRP administration to the lower anterior vaginal wall. J Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020.
[7] Vaginal Injection of PRP for Sexual Function (NCT05769283). ClinicalTrials.gov.
[8] Systematic Review of PRP vs. Platelet Concentrates in Aesthetics. PMC, 2025.
[9] PRP for Androgenetic Alopecia: 43-RCT Meta-Analysis. Dermatology and Therapy, 2025.
[10] Vampire Facials: Benefits and Risks. Anne Arundel Dermatology.
[11] Should You Try PRP Therapy? AARP.
[12] The P-Shot Overview. Cleveland Clinic.
Ready to find out if PRP therapy is right for you? Book a consultation at Medical Specialists MN in Edina. Call the office or request an appointment online. Your provider will review your goals, run the right labs, and build a plan that makes sense for your body, not a cookie-cutter protocol.
Medical disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
PRP therapy is not FDA-approved as a drug. It is an autologous blood product prepared using FDA-cleared devices. Individual results vary. The clinical studies referenced in this article are provided for informational context and do not guarantee that you will experience the same outcomes. Some PRP applications discussed here are considered investigational, and the evidence base is still developing.
Medical Specialists MN does not claim that PRP cures any disease. All treatments carry risk, including but not limited to bruising, swelling, infection, and unsatisfactory results. Your provider will discuss specific risks, benefits, and alternatives with you before any procedure.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. For questions about your care, contact Medical Specialists MN to schedule a consultation with a licensed provider.