The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) has published new guidance on the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in aesthetic procedures, highlighting growing concerns about patient safety and the increasing number of treatments being carried out without appropriate training, clinical oversight or infection control measures.
Often referred to as the "vampire facial", PRP has become increasingly popular in aesthetics for skin rejuvenation, hair restoration and scar improvement. However, the JCCP says reports received from enforcement authorities have raised concerns about how some procedures are being performed and the potential risks associated with handling blood products.
The new guidance has been developed with healthcare professionals, health protection experts and regulatory stakeholders to support Local Authority authorised officers when assessing PRP providers and investigating potential breaches of health and safety legislation. It outlines the standards that should be expected when blood is collected, processed and re-injected and provides practical recommendations for enforcement where risks to public safety are identified.
One of the key concerns highlighted in the document is the risk of cross-contamination and transmission of blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis and HIV, where blood-handling procedures are not carried out correctly. The guidance notes that recent investigations have raised concerns about unsafe practice and warns that failures in infection prevention and control could have serious public health consequences.
The JCCP also makes it clear that all devices used in the preparation of PRP, including centrifuges and collection tubes, should be appropriately regulated medical devices and suitable for their intended purpose. Practitioners should be able to demonstrate appropriate training, competence, infection control procedures and emergency protocols.
Importantly, the guidance highlights that some uses of PRP may fall within medical regulation. The JCCP states that PRP used for hair restoration is considered a medical procedure and that treatments involving medical claims may be restricted to appropriately qualified healthcare professionals operating from regulated healthcare settings.
The publication arrives at a time when the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures remains high on the political agenda. The JCCP has called for PRP to be classified as a high-risk procedure within future licensing proposals and continues to support stronger regulation of treatments involving blood products and invasive procedures.
For aesthetic practitioners, the guidance serves as a reminder that PRP is not simply another injectable treatment. The collection, processing and administration of blood products carries significant responsibilities around patient safety, infection control, clinical governance and competence. As scrutiny of the sector continues to increase, practitioners offering PRP treatments should review their protocols, training, equipment and documentation to make sure they can demonstrate safe and appropriate practice.
The full guidance is intended for Local Authority enforcement officers, but it provides valuable insight into the standards regulators and policymakers increasingly expect to see across the aesthetics sector. As the debate around licensing and regulation continues, it may also offer an indication of the direction of travel for the future oversight of PRP treatments in the UK.
You can read the full guidance here.
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