22 Nov 2024 | by Dr. Akshay Sanan
At Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, we pride ourselves on providing our patients
with the latest in innovation. And nothing is more cutting-edge than harnessing the
power of your own body to rejuvenate the skin and tissues. I regularly use PRF
(platelet-rich fibrin) to improve the appearance of under eye hollows and combat
hair loss. Extremely effective for men and women, this is a procedure in which
elements from your blood, including stem cells, are isolated and injected into the
treatment area in order to safely and naturally restore volume under the eyes, and
promote cellular re-growth in damaged hair follicles. Both of these issues are not
only common, but have been historically more difficult to treat until now.
What is PRF?
PRF stands for platelet rich fibrin. Similar to PRP, which has long been used to
address sports injuries and skin rejuvenation, PRF is truly the next generation in
harnessing the body’s own healing process. During this procedure, I will draw two
vials of your blood and place them in a centrifuge where they will be spun at a
slow speed in order to separate out the:
• Platelets
• Stem cells
• Growth factors
• Fibrin
The end result is a gel-like substance that is loaded with components to induce
plumpness and cellular regeneration. The former is what makes it a nice alternative
for treating under eye hollows while the latter may be an effective method for
encouraging damaged hair follicles to once again produce hair.
Benefits of PRF
Many patients like the idea of PRF as it is a product derived from your own cells. I
like PRF because, in the right patient, it works. Other benefits of PRF include:
• Naturally derived from body’s own cells
• Safe
• Little risk of side effects such as allergic reaction
• Stimulates skin healing
• Improve appearance of under-eye circles
• Stimulate hair re-growth
Ideal Candidate for PRF in Boston
Proper patient selection is a fundamental component of any exemplary outcome.
The world wide web has become a critical educational tool for my patients. I think
this is fantastic. However, it is important to remember that no one procedure is
right for everyone. This is why I always urge patients to schedule an in-person
consultation. During our meeting, I will perform a thorough physical exam in order
to determine whether or not PRF is an option for you. For men or women
experiencing hair loss, PRF can be helpful for those who have mild to moderate
hair thinning, not baldness. In terms of addressing under eye hollows and dark
circles, I will go over the pros and cons of dermal fillers versus PRF. The latter
may be more expensive so cost is something to take into consideration.
PRF Recovery
PRF is similar to an injectables treatment in terms of recovery. I perform it in the
office under local anesthesia. Downtime is minimal. You can expect some post
treatment swelling. This generally resolves within 3-5 days. You may also have
some bruising and with PRF under the eyes, you may notice a yellow discoloration
until the PRF fully dissipates. One of the things that PRF does require is some
patience. Since this a procedure that basically induces your body to rejuvenate
itself, your end result may take anywhere from 1-2 months to be fully revealed.
Furthermore, I generally recommend 2-3 treatments in order to assess your body’s
response to the PRF injections. During your consultation, I will be able to give you
a more accurate idea of how many treatments you may need. I pride myself on
being extremely honest so that you have realistic expectations of what, exactly, it’s
going to take to achieve your goal. For most, the wait is well worth it for the
fantastic result.
To find out more about a PRF, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with
Dr. Akshay Sanan at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call
(617) 402-2768 to schedule a consultation.
