Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and platelet rich fibrin (PRF) are considered cutting edge, office-based procedures that can help patients achieve amazing cosmetic results harnessing the power of their own, natural growth factors and stem cells.
What are PRP and PRF?
PRP and PRF are very similar anti-aging treatments that rely on use of your own blood to generate a product that is then injected into the skin or scalp or used topically to rejuvenate your complexion.
PRP is essentially a concentrated solution of blood platelets. Many people know about platelets as being a vital part of the blood clotting process. But, it is important to note that platelets are also a key biological component of the body’s basic healing process. In fact, platelets are well-known to have rich growth factors that play a vital role in stimulating your body’s stem cell response. In turn, stem cells have the unique ability to generate new collagen production, which can be incredibly powerful in terms of facial rejuvenation and anti-aging effects. By concentrating platelets and repurposing them for cosmetic use, you can have natural injection or topical treatment that helps repair and regenerate your skin to a more youthful appearance.
PRF is closely related to PRP. Whereas PRP is more of a solution, PRF is more of semi-solid gel similar to the consistency of glue. Like PRP, PRF is derived from blood. However, PRF is processed differently than PRP to create the gel mixture that contains concentrated platelets in addition to white blood cells and stem cell attractants. The benefit of using PRF versus PRP is that the former will stay localized in the area it is placed for much longer since it is more like a glue. This particular characteristic of PRF can be a huge advantage when it comes to keeping the stem cell attractants and growth factors in desired area. This has led some to claim that PRF has more regenerative capacity than PRP as it relates to facial rejuvenation and anti-aging properties.
Benefits of PRP and PRF
PRP and PRF have become very popular in San Diego for their incredible anti-aging properties and the ability to rejuvenate skin. When injected below the skin surface, PRP and PRF can act much like dermal fillers in restoring lost soft tissue volume.
Both PRP and PRF are particularly beneficial in the lower eyelid region where so many patients present to our office with unwanted hollowing and volume deficiency that makes them look prematurely tired and aged. Some patients refer to this hollowed area of the lower eyelid as the tear trough. Just as Juvederm and Restylane are used to fill out the tear trough, PRP and PRF can be injected in the same manner to plump this region out – making it look much more rested and youthful. In fact, PRF, specifically, is a fantastic option for lower eyelid hollows because it sticks around in the tear trough for several more days than PRP. This translates into more exposure of the deeper soft tissues to the enriched growth factors and stem cell attractants within the PRF.
Application of PRP and PRF on the skin is another very common use. In this capacity, the PRP and PRF are best used in conjunction with skin microneedling. For instance, our elite medical spa staff will often times use our fabulous SkinPen device to rejuvenate the skin surface. Once this is done, PRP and PRF can then be applied to the skin and allowed to soak into the thousands of tiny openings just created. As the PRP and PRF get absorbed into the dermis and deeper soft tissues, growth factors and stem cell attractants begin to work their magic. The end result is skin that looks smoother and more rejuvenated.
PRP and PRF Hair Growth
PRP and PRF have also become increasingly popular choices for patients seeking enhanced hair growth and treatment for thinning hair. This is particularly true for those suffering from what is called androgenic hair loss. In most patients, a series of treatments using PRP or PRF to stimulate new hair growth is recommended for an ideal result. Treatments are spaced out every 6-8 weeks typically. The area of the scalp that demonstrates maximal hair thinning is injected with the PRP or PRF so that the growth factors and stem cell attractants can begin stimulating your body’s natural biological response. This, in turn, results in enhanced hair growth.
Learn more about PRP treatment for hair loss by clicking here.
Consultation for PRP and PRF
If you live in San Diego and are considering PRP or PRF cosmetic treatment, please do not hesitate in reaching out to our amazing office staff to schedule your personalized consultation with an expert, medical spa staff member.
