Your Regenerative Aesthetics Appointment, Hour by Hour: A NYC Physician's Day-Of Walkthrough

Most people who book a regenerative aesthetic treatment have read plenty about what it does. Far fewer know what the appointment itself feels like: how long it takes, when the blood draw happens, whether numbing works, what your skin looks like when you walk out onto a Manhattan sidewalk, and what to do that evening. Uncertainty about the day is one of the most common reasons patients postpone a treatment they have already decided they want.

This guide walks through a typical in-office regenerative aesthetics visit at Regen Health Physicians, using PRP (platelet-rich plasma) microneedling as the main example, since it is the procedure most patients start with. The same structure applies, with small differences noted below, to PRP injections for under-eye hollowing, exosome-assisted microneedling, and combination sessions. If you are still deciding which treatment fits your goals, start with our overview of regenerative aesthetics.

Before the Day: The Week That Sets Up a Good Result

The appointment begins well before you arrive. A few preparation steps meaningfully affect both comfort and outcome.

Medications and supplements

PRP works because platelets release growth factors (PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF, EGF) after activation. Anything that blunts platelet function can reduce that signal. Most patients are asked to pause non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and naproxen for roughly 5–7 days beforehand, and to discuss aspirin, fish oil, high-dose vitamin E and similar supplements with the physician. Never stop a prescribed blood thinner or cardiac aspirin on your own. We cover this in detail in our guide to medications and supplements to stop before PRP.

Skin preparation

• Retinoids (tretinoin, retinol, adapalene): usually paused 3–5 days before microneedling to reduce irritation.
• Exfoliating acids (glycolic, salicylic, high-strength vitamin C): paused 2–3 days before.
• Sun exposure: avoid a fresh sunburn or tan. Microneedling over sunburned skin raises the risk of irritation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, particularly in medium and deeper skin tones.
• Active breakouts, cold sores or rashes in the treatment area: let the clinic know. Patients with a history of cold sores (HSV-1) are often prescribed a short course of antiviral medication starting the day before facial microneedling.

The day before

Hydrate well. Well-hydrated patients have easier blood draws and, anecdotally, a smoother processing step. Avoid heavy alcohol the night before; it dilates vessels and can increase bruising. Plan your calendar: most people schedule facial treatments on a Thursday or Friday so the visible redness has largely faded by Monday. If you have a specific event, see our pre-event aesthetic treatment timeline.

Arrival and Check-In (Minutes 0–15)

Arrive with a clean face if possible — no makeup, sunscreen or heavy moisturizer — though we can cleanse your skin in the office. Eat a normal meal beforehand; being fasted makes some patients lightheaded during the blood draw.

At check-in you will review and sign consent. A good consent conversation is not a formality. It should cover:

• What the treatment can realistically do for your concern (texture, fine lines, pore size, acne scarring, under-eye quality).
• How many sessions are typically needed. For skin quality, a series of three sessions spaced about four to six weeks apart is common.
• Common effects (redness, swelling, pinpoint bleeding, mild bruising) and uncommon risks (infection, prolonged redness, pigment change, allergic reaction to topical products).
• Alternatives, including doing nothing.

The Consultation Check (Minutes 15–25)

Even returning patients get a brief physician or provider assessment on the day. We look at the skin under good light, take standardized photographs from consistent angles, and confirm the treatment map: which zones get deeper needling (for example, acne scars on the cheeks) and which get gentler passes (around the eyes, over the forehead and the thin skin of the neck).

This is the moment to raise anything that has changed since your consultation — a new medication, a recent illness, a fresh injectable such as a neuromodulator or filler, or travel plans. Fresh filler in an area is a common reason to adjust the plan, because aggressive needling over a recent filler placement is generally avoided.

The Blood Draw and PRP Processing (Minutes 25–50)

The draw

A standard venous draw is taken from the arm, typically somewhere between 10 and 60 mL depending on the treatment area and the system used. For a full-face microneedling session, a smaller volume is often enough; combination face-and-scalp or face-and-neck sessions require more. It feels like any routine blood test.

Centrifugation

The blood goes into a medical centrifuge, which separates it by density into red cells at the bottom, a thin "buffy coat" layer containing platelets and white cells, and plasma on top. The platelet-concentrated portion is drawn off as PRP. The exact spin protocol determines how concentrated the platelets are and whether white cells are included — details we explain in platelet-poor plasma vs PRP. For skin, a leukocyte-poor preparation is generally preferred because it tends to cause less post-treatment inflammation.

Processing usually takes 10–20 minutes, and it overlaps with the next step.

Numbing (Minutes 30–60)

While your blood spins, a topical anesthetic cream — commonly a lidocaine-based or lidocaine/tetracaine compound — is applied to the treatment area and left on for 20–45 minutes. This is the part patients worry about most, and it is the part that most determines comfort.

What to expect

• Forehead and cheeks: most patients describe the treatment after good numbing as pressure, vibration or a light scratching sensation.
• Upper lip, around the nose and over the jaw: more sensitive; patients often feel brief sharpness.
• Under the eyes: surprisingly tolerable for microneedling at shallow depths; injections here feel like a pinch followed by pressure.

If you are anxious about discomfort, say so. The numbing time can be extended, cool air can be used during treatment, and needle depth in sensitive zones can be reduced without compromising the overall result.

The Procedure (Minutes 60–90)

Cleansing and preparation

The numbing cream is removed and the skin is cleansed with an antiseptic. Hair is pulled back and eyes are protected.

Microneedling passes

An automated microneedling pen with a sterile, single-use cartridge creates thousands of controlled micro-channels in the skin. Depth is adjusted zone by zone — commonly around 0.25–0.5 mm near the eyes and up to 1.5–2.0 mm over areas of scarring. PRP is applied to the skin as a glide and is pushed into the channels during multiple passes.

The biology here is the core of the treatment. Microneedling triggers a controlled wound-healing response: an inflammatory phase in the first days, a proliferative phase in which fibroblasts lay down new collagen and elastin, and a remodeling phase lasting months. PRP adds a concentrated dose of the same growth factors the body uses for repair. Split-face studies in acne scarring have found that adding PRP to microneedling produced greater improvement than microneedling with saline alone, with some studies also reporting shorter redness, though trials remain relatively small and protocols vary.

You will feel the pen moving, hear a buzzing sound, and may notice a metallic smell. Pinpoint bleeding is expected — it is a sign the needles reached the intended depth.

Targeted injections (if planned)

Some plans add small PRP injections into specific areas, such as fine under-eye hollowing or individual depressed scars. These are placed with a fine needle or cannula. Expect a few seconds of pressure per site.

Exosome or growth-factor serums

Some protocols apply a topical exosome or growth-factor product after needling. Evidence for these products in aesthetics is earlier-stage than for PRP, and product quality varies widely; we discuss this candidly in how exosome therapy differs from PRP.

Finishing

The remaining PRP is often applied as a mask and left on the skin. No makeup is applied. You may be given a sterile, bland post-procedure balm.

Walking Out (Minutes 90–100)

Total time in office for a PRP microneedling session is usually 90 minutes to two hours. When you leave, expect your face to look like a moderate sunburn: pink to red, possibly with a few tiny specks of dried blood, and feeling warm and tight. You can take the subway, go back to a desk, or work from home — many patients simply wear a hat and sunglasses. Driving is fine; there is no sedation.

The First 72 Hours

Evening of treatment

• Leave the PRP on the skin for the time you are instructed, commonly 4–8 hours, before a gentle rinse with lukewarm water.
• Use only the products provided or approved: a bland cleanser and a simple moisturizer.
• Sleep on a clean pillowcase, ideally slightly elevated to reduce morning swelling.

Day 1–2

Redness typically fades from bright to pink. Mild swelling, especially under the eyes, is common the first morning. Skin may feel tight and dry. Mineral sunscreen can usually be applied after 24 hours, and gentle makeup after 24–48 hours if your provider agrees.

Day 3–5

Light flaking or a sandpaper texture is normal as the skin turns over. Do not pick or scrub. Most patients look socially presentable by day 2–3.

What to avoid for about a week

• Retinoids, acids and active serums.
• Strenuous exercise, saunas and hot yoga for 24–48 hours (heat and sweat irritate fresh micro-channels).
• Pools and direct sun.
• Anti-inflammatory medications for several days, unless your physician has directed otherwise, since inflammation is part of the intended healing signal.

When to call the office

Contact the clinic promptly for increasing pain after day 2, pus, spreading warmth, fever, blistering, or a cluster of painful bumps (which can signal a cold sore flare). These are uncommon but should be seen quickly.

Results: A Timeline Set by Biology

Patients sometimes notice a "glow" within the first week, largely from hydration and mild swelling. Meaningful structural change follows collagen remodeling and is gradual: improvements in texture and fine lines usually become visible at four to six weeks, and continue for three to six months after a treatment series. Acne scars typically need the full series and sometimes more. Repeat standardized photos at follow-up are the most honest way to judge progress — day-to-day mirror checks are not reliable.

How Other Treatments Differ on the Day

• PRP for under-eye hollowing: shorter visit (about 60 minutes), small injections, possible bruising for several days; no microneedling flaking.
• PRP for hair restoration: scalp injections after a nerve block or topical numbing; no visible redness on the face. See precision hair restoration.
• Combination sessions: longer visits and larger draws, but one recovery window — helpful for busy New Yorkers.

Supporting Your Skin From the Inside

Collagen synthesis depends on adequate protein, vitamin C, zinc and good sleep, and is impaired by smoking and uncontrolled blood sugar. Patients who want a whole-body approach to skin aging often pair aesthetic treatment with a broader evaluation through our longevity program, and some ask about peptide therapy — a conversation worth having with your physician rather than starting on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it hurt?

With proper topical numbing, most patients rate PRP microneedling as mildly uncomfortable rather than painful. Sensitive zones (upper lip, near the nose) are the exception for a few seconds.

Can I go back to work the same day?

Physically, yes. Cosmetically, most people prefer to work remotely the rest of the day and sometimes the next.

How many sessions will I need?

For general skin quality, three sessions four to six weeks apart is a common starting plan, with maintenance once or twice a year. Scarring often needs more.

Who should not have PRP microneedling?

People with active skin infection in the area, certain blood or platelet disorders, active cancer under treatment, pregnancy, or isotretinoin use within the recent past, among others. Your physician will review your history.

Booking Your Visit in NYC or Salt Lake City

Regen Health Physicians, led by Dr. Ajit Dhaliwal, offers physician-supervised regenerative aesthetic treatments at our New York and Salt Lake City locations. Every plan starts with a consultation that sets realistic expectations for your skin. When you are ready, book a consultation.

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Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary, and regenerative aesthetic treatments are not appropriate for everyone. Some uses of PRP and related products in aesthetics are considered off-label. Consult a qualified physician before starting any treatment.