What to Expect: Cost, Risks, Maintenance & Results of Regenerative Fillers (PRP/Human Cells and Tissue Products (aka 'Stem Cells')

A Fresh Look at Regenerative Fillers

More and more people want natural alternatives to their aesthetic treatments. It makes sense. When the treatment comes from your own body, there’s less risk, fewer surprises, and a better chance of results that feel authentic.

Traditional dermal fillers, the kind made from synthetic substances like hyaluronic acid, still have their place. They plump. They smooth. They deliver quick changes.

Regenerative therapies are different. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and human cell and tissue therapy lean on the body’s natural healing processes. They use blood platelets, concentrated growth factors, and human cells and tissues, often referred to as “mesenchymal stem cells,” to spark collagen production, encourage tissue repair, and deliver change that feels like you, just healthier.

Let’s walk through what they are, how they’re different from traditional fillers, and what to expect in terms of cost, risks, maintenance, and results.

Regenerative Fillers vs. Traditional Fillers

If you’ve had dermal fillers before, you already know the routine. A gel made from hyaluronic acid is injected directly into the skin. As a result, you get instant volume. Wrinkles soften. Lips or cheeks look fuller.

Now, compare that to regenerative treatment. The material comes from your own blood or cells. PRP injections use concentrated platelets to release growth factors and stimulate collagen production. Human cell and tissue injections use mesenchymal stem cells to kick off deeper tissue repair and even cartilage regeneration.

So, the key difference? Fillers add. Regenerative therapies heal.

How PRP Therapy Works

PRP sounds high-tech, but it’s surprisingly simple. The process involves drawing blood, just like a routine test. That blood is spun in a centrifuge. The spinning separates out the concentrated platelets and growth factors.

What’s left is liquid gold: platelet rich plasma. When injected directly into a treatment area, PRP gets straight to work. It tells your body to make more collagen, improve skin texture, and speed up tissue repair. It even helps reduce inflammation whenever a collagen deficit is suspected

And PRP isn’t just for faces. Many practitioners use it for tennis elbow, knee osteoarthritis, sports injuries, and musculoskeletal conditions. Clinical research shows it may promote healing, reduce inflammation, and improve outcomes without invasive surgical procedures.

How Human Cell Therapy Works

Now let’s talk about human cell therapy. It takes regeneration to another level. With human cell injections, your provider collects blood and tissue cells, from your fat tissue, bone marrow, or blood. These cells send out powerful signals that tell your body to repair damaged tissue and accelerate healing.

In aesthetics, that means better skin rejuvenation and natural volume restoration. In orthopedics, it means less joint pain, faster recovery from sports injuries, and even hope for patients with knee arthritis who want to avoid orthopedic surgery should the problems be related to a collagen deficiency.

This is why both PRP therapy and cell therapy are at the center of regenerative medicine. They don't simply cover up an issue, they go after the collagen deficit that may be the cause of the problem.

It is important to note that these products have not been approved by the FDA and are not meant to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.

The Treatment Process

So what happens when you walk into a clinic for a regenerative treatment?

First comes a personalized consultation. Your provider reviews your medical history, talks through your treatment goals, and checks if you’ve had any other treatments.

For PRP therapy, the process involves a blood draw. For cell therapy, it may involve collecting a small sample of fat tissue, bone marrow, or blood. Both are safe, routine procedures.

Recovery is usually easy. Most people feel only mild tenderness or swelling at the injection site. You can often go back to normal activities immediately. Since the treatment comes from your own body, the chance of allergic reactions is very low.

Cost of Regenerative Fillers

Here’s the part everyone asks about: cost.

PRP therapy usually costs about the same as high-end traditional fillers. But here’s the catch, you’ll likely need a few treatment sessions up front for optimal results.

Human cell and tissue therapy costs more. Harvesting and processing cells adds complexity. But you may need fewer treatments overall, and in some cases, it may help patients avoid more expensive surgical procedures.

One thing to know: regenerative therapies are rarely covered by insurance. That said, many see it as an investment in long-term healing and natural results.

Risks of Regenerative Therapies

No treatment is 100% risk-free. But regenerative fillers carry very minimal risks.

Most patients notice only temporary mild swelling, bruising, or discomfort at the injection site. Rare infections can happen if aftercare is ignored.

PRP and cell injections are considered low risk.

Maintenance and Treatment Sessions

Here’s where expectations matter. Most patients will need a few treatment sessions with PRP, spaced a few weeks apart. That’s how you build momentum for the best results.

Human cell injections may need fewer treatments, but they’re often paired with PRP or other regenerative therapies to maximize benefits.

Think of it as upkeep. With traditional fillers, touch-ups usually happen every 6 to 12 months. With PRP or cell therapy, maintenance is closer to every 12 to 18 months. That means less frequent visits and more lasting changes in skin health and overall function.

Results of Regenerative Fillers

So what do results really look like? Let’s break it down.

Treatment	How Results Develop	Common Improvements	Longevity	Notes
Traditional Dermal Fillers	Immediate, gel adds volume instantly	Plumper lips, softened wrinkles, smoother deep lines like nasolabial folds	6 to 18 months	Works quickly
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)	Gradual, results build over weeks as concentrated growth factors stimulate tissue repair	Firmer skin, improved skin texture, subtle lift, more youthful appearance	12+ months with follow-ups	Uses your own blood; low risk of allergic reactions
Human Cell and Tissue “Stem” Therapy	Slower onset but deeper changes as mesenchymal stem cells release growth factors	Collagen stimulation, improved elasticity, tissue regeneration, joint pain relief	18 to 24+ months or longer	Useful for both skin rejuvenation and musculoskeletal conditions

Here’s the bottom line: you won’t walk out of your first session looking instantly different (unless you combine with traditional fillers). But give it time. As your body’s natural processes kick in, you’ll see smoother texture, healthier skin, and more collagen. And for orthopedic patients who may be in need of collagen, you may see less pain and better mobility.

PRP & Human Cells Beyond Aesthetics

One of the best things about regenerative medicine is how versatile it is. PRP and human cell and tissue therapy aren’t just for faces. They’re also used in orthopedics for sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, tennis elbow, knee arthritis, and damaged tissue if a collagen deficit is suspected.

Clinical research shows PRP injections and cell therapy may reduce inflammation, accelerate healing, and improve outcomes for patients who might otherwise need orthopedic surgery if the issue is caused by insufficient collagen in the body.

That makes regenerative therapies powerful tools in both beauty and health.

(Note: While safe, these treatments are still considered experimental for fixing collagen deficits and have not yet been approved by the FDA.)

Choosing the Right Provider

Here’s the truth about these treatments. They are only as good as the person performing them. That’s why choosing an expert matters.

Look for someone with experience in regenerative medicine and a clear plan for your treatment goals.

During a consultation, don’t be afraid to ask:

• How do you prepare concentrated PRP or human cells?
• How many sessions will I likely need?
• What does clinical research say about my specific condition?
• What risks should I keep in mind?

A good provider won’t rush you. They’ll make sure you leave the consultation with realistic expectations and a plan for a positive outcome.

What to Expect in the Long Run

Here’s the honest truth about regenerative therapies like platelet rich plasma PRP and human cell injections: they’re not quick fixes. They ask for patience. They cost more upfront. And the improvements build gradually.

But for many patients, the payoff is worth it. Natural results. Minimal risks. Longer-lasting improvements. Whether it’s for skin rejuvenation, joint pain relief, or general healing, regenerative fillers help your body do what it’s already designed to do, just better. If collagen is needed, these PRP and HCTP treatments may help.

At Biltmore Restorative in Greenville, SC, we create personalized treatment plans to restore skin health, promote healing, and reduce inflammation. From facial rejuvenation to cartilage regeneration, we believe the best results come from working with your body, not against it.

DISCLAIMER: While some of these products are FDC-approved, these products have not yet been FDA-approved. Treatments like these that are used to treat collagen deficit isssues are still considered “experimental” and are not meant for diagnosing, treating, preventing, or curing any illness or disease.