There are varying names for PRF, or Platelet Rich Fibrin, based on the proposed components of the prepared concentrate. You may also see the names Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich growth factors (GF’s).
As a dermatological application, PRF is a filler treatment that uses a portion of your own body’s blood. Compared to PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), PRF has a higher concentration of platelets, fibrin, and white blood cells. PRF also contains a small amount of stem cells.
Each component of PRF plays a role in reversing the aging process. Platelets encourage the release of growth factors responsible for creating new skin cells, collagen, and blood vessels. Because of the presence of white blood cells, it is believed that the growth factors are released at a much slower rate than they are with PRP and thus prolong the results from PRF treatment.
The growth factors released from PRF treatment help to signal to your body to “act young” and reverse signs of aging like thin skin, wrinkles, poor texture and tone, and improve the appearance of dark circles under eyes.
Hematologists created the term PRP in the 1970s to describe the plasma with a platelet count above that of peripheral blood and this modality was initially used as a transfusion product to treat patients with a low platelet count.
Since then, PRP and PRF have been used in the fields of maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic medicine, dermatology, cardiac surgery, pediatric surgery, gynecology, urology, plastic surgery, and ophthalmology.
The undereye area has become one of the most popular targets for PRF treatment and is also one of the most successful targets for PRF and PRP treatment in clinical studies. After 3 treatments spaced 4 weeks apart, patients report improved discoloration under the eye as well as improved skin quality in the undereye area.
The undereye skin and bone, often called “tear trough”, is a very difficult concern to treat given the complex anatomy and the variations in under eye complaints like lax skin, dark circles, puffy eyes, wrinkles under eyes, and poor texture.
The undereye area is also one of the first places in the face to age for many people. It is one of the most challenging areas that needs caution, experience, and in many cases surgery to improve.
PRF provides a very safe non-surgical option to treat the under eye. We use multiple techniques at our practice to treat the tear trough, including filler, laser treatment, microneedling, and radio frequency. Your unique treatment plan often depends on the extent of sun damage, skin bony changes and fat pad herniation and propensity for swelling under the eyes.
While hyaluronic acid filler is a great option for the under eye, hyaluronic acid by nature attracts water which can cause worsening puffiness in specific patients and can make the eye area look worse.
PRF provides an option that usually does not cause problems with swelling long term and is also a natural choice since it uses your own body’s healing properties to create improvement in the texture of the skin and in the discoloration.
PRF under eye filler is considered a NATURAL aesthetic treatment because it uses your own stem cells and growth factors. PRF treatment improves under eye pigmentation and skin thickness/firmness/texture while providing very subtle subdermal volume. The results from PRF provide a radiant and more youthful appearance without the risk of puffiness or fluid retention.
YES! PRF for dark circles under the eye is compatible with other treatments such as laser, fillers, and neuromodulators such as Botox, Dysport, and Jeuveau which can be performed on the same day. We recommend coupling PRF injection with LaseMD Ultra, the Nuvissa Plasma Pen, and laser toning which will also help with eye aging concerns. Because each product and procedure works differently in the skin, they can be used as a powerful combination to achieve beautiful, natural-looking rejuvenation.
At Pure Dermatology, PRF injection is performed by all our providers. Both Cherie and Donna have been extensively trained to safely perform this procedure by Dr. Haseltine and Dr. Holcomb.
At Pure Dermatology, we like to make sure that the treatment we are offering is right for you. At your consultation, we will obtain your skin, medical, and surgical history. The treatment, expectations, and aftercare from the procedure will also be discussed. If our assessment determines that PRF is right for you. We advise you maintain adequate hydration prior to the procedure to help ensure a successful blood draw. We also usually combine this treatment with a laser or device specific to your skin needs so you should anticipate a few days of downtime of you decide to have treatment on the day of consultation.
At your treatment visit, please make sure you are well hydrated. We will draw 2 vials of blood which is then placed inside a centrifuge. After spinning, the PRF becomes separated from the other blood components and is withdrawn from the top of the vial. While the blood spins, you sit with numbing medication to limit discomfort and the PRF is injected using a blunt-tipped cannula as soon as spinning is complete. The PRF Under Eye injections take about 40 minutes door-to-door.
After treatment, it is not uncommon to experience under eye swelling or bruising. You may experience under eye fullness for 3-5 days after injection and sometimes a yellowish discoloration to the skin until the PRF dissipates. Results of your treatment start to become noticeable at the 1-2 month-mark, as the structures and collagen under the eye continues to build. Most PRF injections have no discomfort afterwards.
We recommend a series of 3 PRF treatments approximately one month apart for best results. Hyaluronic Acid fillers may be considered 3-6 months after your 3rd injection of PRF. Once you begin to see the results of your treatment, yearly maintenance is recommended.
As with all injections, there is a risk of bruising, pain, and redness caused by the needle used to inject the product. At Pure Dermatology, we take comfort seriously and we provide topical numbing medication for the procedure. The PRF is injected into the under eye and “tear trough” using a blunt-tipped cannula. This needleless approach allows precise delivery of the product and greatly diminishes bruising. We also have lasers that treat bruising and include these complementary if appropriate to quickly resolve residual bruising. Because we are injecting a fluid-like substance under the eye, we do expect some swelling or puffiness that can last about 3-5 days.
PRF is extremely safe. Injections carry little side effect or risk since this process involves your own blood with no other additives or medications.
Because it usually takes about 4-8 weeks for initial results to appear after PRF injection, and results continue to improve for about 3-6 months after injection. Most results will last about 1.5 years after last injection. Therefore, we recommend a yearly maintenance injection after your series is complete.
At Pure Dermatology, we offer a number of treatments to revitalize your skin. Schedule an appointment today at 504-226-7873 with one of our board-certified dermatologists, Dr. Holcomb or Dr. Haseltine, to find out what treatment is best tailored for you. You may also book for a FREE consultation via our online portal.
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