A PRP screening appointment is a short visit before any PRP treatment to check whether PRP is a reasonable option for you. At Skin Art MD in Burnaby it is a 15-minute appointment covering your health history, medications, blood-related conditions, the treatment area, whether bloodwork or a physician's diagnosis is needed first, and realistic expectations. No PRP is done at this visit.
People searching "is PRP right for me" usually want two things: to know whether they are a candidate, and to know what they are signing up for. This article walks through what is checked at screening, including common PRP contraindications, why each item matters, and what to ask any PRP provider. For how PRP itself works for hair, see our PRP hair page; for skin, see the PRP page; for knees and tendons, see our article on PRP for knee or tendon pain. This article does not replace advice from your own physician.
Why is there a screening before PRP?
Because PRP is an injection procedure made from your own blood, and whether it makes sense depends on your health, your medications and what you hope it will do. Screening is where those questions are answered before any blood is drawn for treatment.
There is a second reason: the evidence for PRP varies by use. Research on thinning hair, skin texture and joint or tendon problems has produced mixed findings, preparation methods differ between clinics, and open questions remain about who is most likely to respond. A screening is the place to talk about that honestly, including the possibility that PRP is not the right fit for you. Individual results vary, and nobody can promise a particular outcome.
At Skin Art MD, the screening is with our naturopathic physician, Dr. Ekaterina Krantsevich Riehl, BSc, ND, who also performs the PRP treatments herself. Treatment visits are booked separately, after screening, and follow-ups are arranged from there.
What health history and medications are reviewed?
Your general health history and every medication and supplement you take, because some of them affect bleeding, platelet function or healing. Bring a current list, including doses, to the appointment.
Items that commonly come up:
- Blood thinners (anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines). These raise the chance of bruising and bleeding and may affect whether PRP is appropriate.
- Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen or ASA. Some practitioners ask about the timing of these before and after PRP, because they act on platelets.
- Supplements, such as fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo or turmeric, which some people take without thinking of them as medication.
- Recent or ongoing corticosteroids, whether tablets or injections.
- Other conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune disease, liver disease, cancer history or a history of fainting with needles or blood draws.
One point is important enough to repeat: do not stop or change any prescribed medication on your own to prepare for PRP. If timing needs to change, that decision belongs to the prescriber, usually your family physician or specialist. Stopping a blood thinner without guidance can carry serious risks.
Which blood conditions and platelet issues matter?
Conditions that affect platelets or clotting matter most, because PRP depends on your own platelets. These include a low platelet count, platelet function disorders, bleeding disorders and certain blood cancers.
If you have one of these, PRP may not be advisable, or your physician may need to be involved before anything else is considered. Significant anemia can also be relevant, partly because a blood draw is part of the treatment visit.
Can I have PRP with an infection or a skin condition in the area?
Usually not until it has settled. An active infection, either at the treatment site or elsewhere in the body, is a common reason to postpone.
For hair and face treatments, the screening also looks at the skin itself: an active rash, eczema or psoriasis flare on the scalp, active acne in the area, open wounds or a current cold sore. If you get cold sores, mention it, since some facial procedures can trigger a flare and your practitioner may discuss timing with you.
What about pregnancy, breastfeeding and recent steroid injections?
PRP is generally not done during pregnancy, and breastfeeding should be discussed at screening. A recent corticosteroid injection in the same area is also a reason to wait or reconsider, and the timing gap is something to discuss with your practitioner.
If you are planning a pregnancy, say so at screening; it can affect whether starting a series now makes sense.
Will I need bloodwork before PRP?
Sometimes. If recent results are not available, or something in your history raises a question, you may be asked for bloodwork such as a complete blood count, which includes the platelet count.
For thinning hair in particular, it is worth asking whether the cause has been looked into. Hair shedding can be linked to iron stores, thyroid function and other factors, and those are worth checking before considering PRP. Your family physician may already have recent results, so bring copies if you have them. Lab tests ordered by a naturopathic doctor are generally not covered by MSP, so ask about this before tests are ordered.
Hair loss that is sudden, patchy, or comes with scalp pain, scarring or redness should be assessed by your physician or a dermatologist first, because some types of hair loss need a medical diagnosis.
Are photos or measurements taken?
For hair and skin, standardized photos are often taken at screening or at the first treatment visit, with consistent lighting and angles, so that you and your practitioner can review changes over time. For hair, this may include photos of the part line or crown.
These photos are part of your clinical record. They are a way to track your own situation, not a prediction of what will happen, and changes, if any, differ from person to person.
What if I want PRP for a knee, shoulder or tendon?
For joints and tendons, a diagnosis comes first. If you have not yet been examined by a physician, or imaging such as an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI is needed, you may be asked to see your family physician or a sports-medicine doctor before PRP is discussed further.
Some symptoms need prompt medical care rather than an elective injection, such as a hot, red, swollen joint with fever, a joint that locks or gives way after an injury, or inability to bear weight. If you are unsure, HealthLink BC's 8-1-1 line is available 24 hours a day. Our joint and tendon PRP article covers this in more detail.
How many PRP sessions are discussed?
It varies. Some uses are discussed as a short series with follow-up, others as a single treatment, and some people need maintenance afterwards. The number depends on the area, your situation and how you respond.
At screening, the practitioner can explain how the number of sessions is decided and when progress would be reviewed. You should not feel pressured to commit to a package at a first visit.
What questions should I ask any PRP provider?
Whether you book with us or elsewhere, these questions help you compare clinics on how PRP is actually prepared and delivered:
- Which preparation system is used? PRP kits and centrifuge methods differ, and so does the product they make.
- How much blood is drawn, and how much PRP is injected? Volume and concentration vary between methods.
- Is anything added to the PRP? Ask whether an activator or other substance is used, and why.
- Who performs the injection? Ask for the practitioner's name and professional designation, and check registration with their regulatory college.
- How is sterility handled? Ask whether the kit is single-use and sealed, and how the blood is kept in a closed system during preparation.
- What happens if I have a reaction afterwards? Ask who to contact and how follow-up works.
- How is the total cost of a series worked out? Ask for a written breakdown before you start.
In BC, naturopathic doctors are regulated by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC). According to a CCHPBC notice dated January 5, 2026, separate certifications for certain advanced procedures, including PRP-type injections, ended on April 1, 2026, and naturopathic doctors may perform these procedures if they meet all applicable standards, limits and conditions. You can check a practitioner's registration on the public register at cchpbc.ca (as of October 2026).
Is PRP covered by MSP or extended health insurance?
PRP is generally not covered by MSP. Extended health plans vary: many reimburse naturopathic visits up to a plan limit, but coverage for the PRP procedure itself is uncommon.
Before booking, ask your insurer whether naturopathic visits are covered, what the annual limit is, and what the receipt must show (usually the practitioner's name and registration number). Information about MSP is available from Health Insurance BC through gov.bc.ca.
FAQ
Is PRP done at the screening appointment?
No. The screening is a 15-minute conversation about your history, medications and goals. If PRP is a reasonable option, a treatment visit is booked separately.
Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral to book a naturopathic screening. For joint or tendon problems without a diagnosis, seeing your physician first is often the most useful step.
What should I bring?
A list of your medications and supplements with doses, recent lab results, any imaging reports for joint concerns, and your questions.
Should I stop my anti-inflammatory or blood thinner before the screening?
No. Do not change any medication before or after the screening without talking to the prescriber. The screening is where timing questions are raised and, if needed, referred back to your physician.
Can I combine PRP with other hair or skin treatments?
Sometimes. Tell the practitioner about anything you use or plan to use, such as topical hair products or other skin procedures, so timing can be discussed.
What languages are available?
Our front desk speaks English and Chinese. Naturopathic consultations are conducted in English.
Booking
Skin Art MD is in Burnaby near Metrotown and serves patients across Greater Vancouver. If you are considering PRP for hair, skin or a joint, start with a 15-minute PRP screening appointment through our naturopathic booking page.
