A quick review of Platelet Rich Fibrin.
PRF is a multi-step process which involves using your own blood to repair and regenerate your cells. PRF has been found to be useful in addressing many aesthetic issues and can be used to reverse the signs of aging while promoting the healthy skin.
As we reviewed in part I, your blood has incredible healing properties. Medical professionals use PRF as a method to concentrate important growth factors and place them into your skin, allowing for the formation of new healthier tissue.
PRP treatment can address the following conditions:
- Fine lines and wrinkles of the face and lips.
- Minimal to moderate creases in the facial skin.
- Scars resulting from acne or trauma.
- Mild to moderate loss of facial volume due to aging.
- Dull skin or unhealthy appearing skin.
- Age related spots.
- Excessive facial pigment and dark circles under the eyes.
- Depressions under the eyes or tear troughs.
PRF injections is a medical procedure and will begin with Dr. Aldo Guerra or his RN/FNP Injector evaluating your medical history and answering any questions you may have about the process. We will discuss the risks and benefits in your particular case in great detail during your consultation at Guerra Plastic Surgery Center.
While there are lots of benefits to PRP, the procedure is not recommended for people who have any of the following medical conditions:
- Patients with HIV or AIDS.
- Patients with cardiovascular disease.
- A diagnosis of skin cancer.
- A diagnosis of blood cancer.
- Patients with Hepatitis C.
Expectations during treatment?
Our comfortable and relaxed office environment, combined with highly experienced injectors and gentle hands, make for a great overall experience. However, we use needles to draw your blood and reinject the PRF back into your skin, which are very thin, to minimize your discomfort. The Guerra Plastic Surgery Center method of PRF can be completed in as little as an hour and is a relatively simple process.
If you’re squeamish about any part of the process, be sure to ask for a prescription to calm your nerves and/or the ProNox Aesthetic System to provide a calming combination of Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide (aka laughing gas) for fast acting pain relief. We also use the Beauty Bar, an aesthetic vibratory device to relax the facial muscles and camouflage pain with gentle vibration therapy.
Most patients prefer a global approach to facial rejuvenation and require injections in multiple places to achieve the best results. We recommend you avoid the use of Aspirin and other blood thinners at least 10 days before facial injections to minimize bruising and swelling.
Immediately after PRF injections, most patients can return home and go back to their usual activities without any limitations. Some redness or irritation at the injection sites is normal and should disappear within a few days. The use of Arnica is encouraged for most patients.
The early results: What to expect?
Reducing or eliminating facial lines and wrinkles and unwanted scars with PRF therapy is simple and effective. However, it takes time to see the optimal results after PRF injections. The vast majority of patients see early results within 3 to 4 weeks of treatment. Most patients appreciate skin which is noticeably healthier looking, smoother, with less noticeable wrinkles and lines, while volume enhancement around the face, eyes and cheeks is increasing.
The results typically look completely natural, because treatment is completely natural, is free of artificial compounds or chemicals, and only uses materials from your own body. The biggest benefits of PRF therapy is that side effects are minimal, because we use your own blood to produce a high concentration of platelets and growth factors.
Furthermore, PRF derives platelets from your blood, and so the risk of an allergic reaction or other complicated side effects is virtually non-existent.
Risks, recovery, and long-term results.
PRF treatment uses your own blood, therefore, there are minimal risks and side effects associated with this procedure. Sensitivity to the procedure is minimal for most patients with PRF. There is almost no risk of infection. Full effects of your treatment will appear in a few weeks to a month. Satisfaction is high and most patients require two or more treatments to achieve longer-lasting results.
If you’re considering a PRF at Guerra Plastic Surgery Center, call our office, at (480) 571-7625.