How a Plasma Gel Treatment is Done Step-by-Step

How a Plasma Gel Treatment is Done Step-by-Step

Plasma gel is one of the most interesting treatments we offer at Santé Clinics and also one of the most curiosity-inducing among our patients. How is it possible to turn your own blood into a facial filler? How long does the process take? Does it hurt? When are the results visible?

This guide explains, step-by-step and with the clinical detail you deserve, what happens from the moment you enter the consultation until you leave with the treatment applied. Important: we are one of the few clinics in Spain with the necessary technology to process plasma gel under safe clinical conditions.

Quick Procedure Summary

Phase	Approximate Time
1. Consultation and assessment	20–30 min
2. Preparation and cleaning	10 min
3. Blood extraction	5 min
4. Centrifugation	8–10 min
5. Plasma gelification	10–15 min
6. Injectable application	20–30 min
7. Immediate recovery	10 min
Total in clinic	60–90 min

Step 1 — Free Aesthetic Consultation

Every treatment begins with a consultation. At Santé Clinics, it is free and without obligation, and we consider it the most important step. In this first visit:

• The doctor evaluates your face, skin quality, and areas to be treated.
• We review your medical history (medication, allergies, relevant medical background).
• We discuss your real goals: what you want to improve and what bothers you.
• We explain if plasma gel is the right treatment for you, or if an alternative would be more suitable (hyaluronic acid, polynucleotides, PRP, mesotherapy…).
• The session is planned: areas, estimated number of vials, expectations, date.

If you decide not to have the treatment that day, that's fine. If you decide to proceed, we will schedule it for another appointment or on the same day if possible.

Step 2 — Preparation on Treatment Day

Before starting:

• Hydrate well for 24 hours prior (important for extraction and plasma quality).
• Avoid alcohol 24 hours prior and anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or aspirin (unless medically prescribed) for 3–5 days before — these can increase the risk of bruising.
• Arrive without makeup or you will need to remove it at the clinic.
• Eat something light before coming; we will be doing an extraction.

At the clinic, the doctor will:

1. Clean the skin with a gentle antiseptic in the areas to be treated.
2. Mark the application points.
3. Apply topical anesthetic to the most sensitive areas (lips, under-eyes). It takes about 15–20 minutes to take effect, and this time is used for plasma extraction and processing.

Step 3 — Blood Extraction

This is the step that most surprises patients who have never had a regenerative treatment: a standard blood draw is performed, just like for any lab test. The volume is small (8–20 ml depending on the number of areas and vials needed). The extraction takes about 5 minutes.

From there, your blood is labeled with your data and proceeds to the next step. At no time is it mixed with blood from other patients or with synthetic products.

Step 4 — Centrifugation and Plasma Separation

The extracted blood is placed in a sterile medical tube and centrifuged at a specific speed and time. Centrifugation separates blood components by density:

• At the bottom: red blood cells.
• In the middle: leukocyte layer (buffy coat).
• At the top: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP).

It is the plasma from the top part that will be transformed into plasma gel. This phase lasts 8–10 minutes.

Step 5 — Plasma Gelification

This is where plasma gel differs from conventional PRP, and where technology matters.

The plasma is introduced into a controlled heating device specific to this technique. The equipment applies a precise temperature (around 75–95 °C according to protocol) for a controlled time, which causes:

• Partial denaturation of albumin and other plasma proteins.
• Formation of a stable gelled protein matrix.
• Preservation of growth factors released by platelets.

The result: a viscous, sterile gel, ready for injection. The gel's density can be adjusted — more fluid for superficial microinjections, denser for structural volume.

This phase is what converts PRP into a filler, and it is why very few clinics in Spain still offer this real treatment. Importing and working with the right technology is not trivial.

Step 6 — Application: How Plasma Gel is Injected

With the topical anesthetic active and the plasma gel prepared, the doctor proceeds with the application. The most common techniques are:

• Fine needle for precise microinjections (under-eyes, perioral lines, scars).
• Blunt microcannula for larger or more vascularized areas (nasolabial folds, cheekbones, tear troughs), as it reduces the risk of bruising.
• Retro-injection technique or microbolus, depending on the area.

The amount and depth of application are adapted to each area:

• For under-eyes and tear troughs: deep application, on periosteum or very fine intramuscular.
• For nasolabial folds: deep dermal to subdermal.
• For cheekbones: subdermal or supraperiosteal.
• For lips and barcode lines: superficial to mid-dermal.
• For neck, décolletage, and hands: more superficial, in small distributed amounts.

This phase lasts between 20 and 30 minutes depending on the complexity of the plan. It is the “visible” part of the treatment, but it is only possible thanks to all the preparatory work.

Step 7 — Immediately After: What You Will Feel

Most commonly:

• Immediate visible volume in the treated area.
• Slight redness that disappears in a few hours.
• Possible small needle marks that quickly fade.
• Small bruises in vascularized areas (infrequent with microcannula, more possible with a needle in under-eyes).
• Sensation of slight inflammation for 24–48 hours.

The doctor checks for symmetry, validates the result, and provides post-treatment recommendations.

Step 8 — Post-treatment Care

The first 24–48 hours:

• Apply gentle cold if you notice inflammation (not directly on the skin).
• Avoid makeup for the first 12 hours, ideally 24.
• Avoid massaging the area for the first 7 days (unless medically indicated).
• Avoid intense exercise, sauna, jacuzzi, and direct sun exposure for 48–72 hours.
• Avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours.
• Sleep on your back for the first few nights if you have treated under-eyes or cheekbones.

After 3–4 days, you can return to your usual routine without restrictions.

Results Timeline

• Day 0 (same day): immediate volumetric effect. Some inflammation that may add to the effect.
• Day 2–3: inflammation subsides. The real result begins to be seen.
• Week 1–2: skin looks firmer, more hydrated, and luminous.
• Week 4: the regenerative effect (collagen, elastin) becomes evident. Skin quality improves.
• Month 2–3: optimal result.
• Month 4–8: the gel volume is progressively reabsorbed. The structural improvement of the skin remains.

To maintain the result, we recommend maintenance sessions every 4–6 months.

How Many Sessions Do I Need?

It depends on the case, but as a guide:

• Younger patients with a preventive goal and skin quality improvement: 1 session + annual maintenance.
• Patients with moderate signs (soft lines, under-eyes, barcode lines): 1–2 initial sessions + semi-annual maintenance.
• Patients with acne scars or very damaged skin: 2–3 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks, combined with other techniques.

Risks and When to Call Us

Plasma gel is a safe treatment in medical hands. Serious complications are rare. Even so, contact the clinic if you notice:

• Intense or increasing pain beyond 48 hours.
• Inflammation that does not subside or increases after day 3.
• Skin color changes (paleness, dark spots).
• Symptoms of infection (fever, local heat, discharge).

At Santé, we are available for any post-treatment queries. We always schedule a free follow-up appointment at 2–4 weeks.

Why Choose Santé Clinics?

• One of the few clinics in Spain with real plasma gel.
• Certified medical team, more than 7 specialized doctors.
• More than 10,000 patients treated and 4.9 on Google.
• Avenida Diagonal 384, Barcelona. Multilingual service (Spanish, English, Portuguese, Russian).
• Free consultation and follow-up.

Book Your Free Consultation

WhatsApp or call: +34 699 14 58 87.
Web: clinics.sante.co