What is PRF?
PRF stands for Platelet Rich Fibrin and is a treatment used to stimulate your own body’s cells to make new cells by injecting growth factors into the tissue. These growth factors come from cells like platelets and white blood cells.
PRF is a highly concentrated amount of platelets and fibrin which is extracted from your own blood after a small blood draw. Fibrin provides the cellular structure for platelets to bind to, allowing for a slow release of growth factors which benefits the surrounding tissue. PRF uses your own body’s cells so there is no risk of reaction and no additives are used.
What’s the Difference between PRF and PRP?
You may have heard of PRP, or Platelet Rich Plasma, and wonder what the difference is. PRP has been around longer than PRF and is a very similar technique. The main differences are how the blood is handled and separated, and what parts of the blood are then injected into the skin.
PRF contains a higher concentration of platelets, white blood cells, and even stem cells compared to PRP. This means you get more benefits from the growth factors and typically require fewer treatments.
PRF allows for a slow release of growth factors compared to PRP treatments due to a ‘fibrin clot’ which slowly breaks down, gradually releasing the coveted growth factor into your tissues. Thanks to this slow release, your body is better able to use the growth factor, regenerate healthy skin cells and tissue, bringing you better and longer-lasting results.
How Does PRF Work?
There are two parts to PRF treatment. First you will have blood drawn from your arm and this blood is then spun in a centrifuge. This process separates the different parts of your blood – including platelets and white blood cells. Both of these cells play a role in producing and releasing growth factors.
Once the parts of the blood are separated, it is placed into a syringe and injected into the desired treatment areas or applied topically following various skin resurfacing treatments. There are no additives, blood thinners, or other products placed in the syringe – bringing you a truly natural treatment made from your own body’s cells.
What Can PRF Treat?
PRF treatments can address many common concerns when it comes to aging. Under-eye circles is a frequent complaint as this area becomes dull, sunken, and even discolored with age. This area is also difficult to treat due to the delicate tissues surrounding the eye.
PRF for under-eye circles is becoming popular as it offers a personalized treatment to encourage new cell growth and collagen production to these problem areas. By injecting PRF into the tissues surrounding your orbital bone beneath your eye, tired eyes appear rested, dark circles disappear, and discoloration from sun damage and age becomes less noticeable.
PRF treatments are also used to create a youthful look in other areas of the face including creating smoother skin and lips. By using PRF, collagen production is stimulated by your own body’s growth factors creating a safe and long lasting solution to age related changes. This also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by filling in those areas with new, healthy tissues and skin cells.
Not only do PRF treatments create definition and fullness, but dark spots and uneven texture can also be resolved when used in conjunction with microneedling. By encouraging cell regeneration, your skin appears softer and smoother.
