PRP / PRF Under Eye Treatment

PRP / PRF Under Eye Treatment

Over the last decade, PRP, or “Platelet Rich Plasma,” has gained the attention of patients who are seeking a solution for aging skin that doesn’t require surgical interventions. The latest and growing offshoot of PRP is PRF, “Platelet Rich Fibrin” The team at Beverly Hills RN is pleased to offer training and education on these and many other skincare and aesthetic procedures.

By learning more about PRP and PRF injections, providers considering training for this and other services will have the information and experience to offer these services in their cosmetic practices.

What is PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)?

PRP is an acronym for Platelet-Rich Plasma. PRP injections are a type of facial rejuvenation treatment used to help improve the look of aging skin. This platelet-rich plasma is made by taking a blood sample from the donor, containing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that release growth factors. These growth factors, when injected into the face, stimulate collagen production, providing an anti-aging effect on the facial appearance.

What is PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin)?

PRF is an acronym for Platelet-Rich-Fibrin. You may be asking what is the difference between the two? Whereas PRP releases growth factors and stem cells to the area that it is injected to promote new cellular and tissue growth, PRF is a highly concentrated form of PRP.  Think of it as PRP on steroids! PRP is made by separating plasma from red blood cells, whereas PRF is made from whole blood. PRF is slightly thicker in consistency so that when it is injected the release of growth factors and stem cells will be slower and potentially longer lasting. Both procedures are done utilizing your own blood, so just a simple blood draw is needed. They are just processed differently.

syringes filled with platelet rich plasma

Since it is all-natural and derived from your body (considered autologous,) it is a generally safe procedure to rejuvenate the joints of the body, to re-grow hair, to help urinary incontinence in women (www.Oshot.info) and erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease in men (www.Priapusshot.com). PRP has been popular with those seeking anti-aging treatments that do not require extensive skin treatments or expensive plastic surgery procedures.

What are the benefits of PRP or PRF for treating the under-eye area?

PRP / PRF injections in the under-eye area are an excellent treatment for addressing fine lines and wrinkles in this region for optimum rejuvenation. PRP contains growth factors that stimulate collagen production when injected into the skin. By stimulating new collagen production, platelet-rich plasma helps tighten loose skin around the eyes to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles like crow’s feet, while also eliminating bags underneath the eyes.

PRP / PRF under eye treatment is also an excellent way to treat dark circles as they increase blood flow through this region. Puffiness and discoloration around the eyes are less visible with as little as one treatment. While the results are not permanent, these injections can help patients looking for a more long-term option when it comes to looking youthful and refreshed, especially when compared to other injectable services provided by med spas around the United States.

How is the treatment performed?

First, patients will undergo a blood draw.

prp blood draw

The blood draw allows the provider to then extract the platelet-rich plasma / fibrin from the patient’s own blood using a centrifuge, as seen below.

prp centrifuge extraction

Once enough PRP or PRF has been harvested, it is then reinjected where it is needed.

prp under eye injection

For PRP / PRF treatments in the under-eye area, platelet-rich plasma / fibrin is injected into the skin using a very fine needle to minimize pain. This injection treatment can be combined with other stimulating rejuvenation procedures like microneedling or laser resurfacing to give superior results for treating fine lines, wrinkles, and even acne scarring. PRP / PRF injections should only be performed by providers who have received training for this service to reduce the risk of complications caused by incorrect administration.

The time needed for PRP / PRF under-eye treatments is approximately 30 minutes from the preparation of the face to the end of the patient’s appointment. This allows patients to have their treatments done quickly during their lunch hour–ensuring even the busiest of patients can obtain results with platelet-rich plasma injections!

What results can be expected with a PRP / PRF under-eye treatment?

PRP / PRF injections in the under-eye area are typically used to treat wrinkles around the eyes, dark circles, and puffiness. During an initial consultation appointment, the treatment provider will determine the patient’s skin health and unique goals to determine if they will see the desired results. It is important that patients understand that platelet-rich plasma injections are not designed to give the same results as surgical procedures such as a brow lift or eyelid lift.

PRP / PRF tear trough before and after

It is always beneficial to offer before and after photos of previous patients in the practice that have undergone PRP / PRF under-eye injections to allow potential patients to visualize what can be achieved with this service and to ensure they have realistic expectations of the final results.

Below is an example of the results that can be achieved with platelet-rich plasma injections provided by professionals with proper training and experience:

before and after prp under eye treatment

How long does PRP / PRF under the eyes last?

Though PRP /PRF under-eye treatments last longer than other injectable methods on the market today, it is essential that patients understand that this treatment is not permanent.

For many patients, PRP / PRF injections will improve one’s under-eye appearance for anywhere between one to two years, depending on the patient’s current skin condition (and severity of concerns) and one’s age.

With platelet-rich plasma injections for under-eye treatment, patients will notice results after just the first treatment. However, we encourage patients to consider three treatments spread approximately four weeks apart and then perform maintenance injections every six months.

Is there any downtime or side effects associated with PRP / PRF under-eye treatments?

With PRP under-eye treatments, patients typically have no downtime needed for recovery and minimal side effects or complications. Some patients may experience a mild tingling sensation after the platelet-rich plasma is injected into the skin, but it resolves on its own quickly and does not cause much discomfort for most. There is very minimal downtime with both PRP and PRF. Before having the procedure done, you want to hydrate well, and avoid any blood thinners or alcohol for a few days prior.

Most people can resume normal activities the following day, though they should ask their provider about aftercare instructions and any changes they should monitor. Other side effects that may be noticed after treatments include bruising at the injection site, minor swelling, and mild itching and irritation.

Patients are educated on the process of PRP / PRF injections and can ask questions about the process. Because platelet-rich plasma / fibrin injections use the patient’s own plasma from their blood, it is non-toxic, natural, and has no risk of allergic reactions. When properly performed by a trained and experienced professional, patients can expect safety and efficacy from their treatments.

After treatment, patients are encouraged to avoid touching the injection site for the next 24 hours and avoid taking Aspirin for pain relief as it can lead to complications. Patients should also avoid alcohol, exfoliation, and massage for approximately 72 hours after their procedure has been performed. Icing the area and sleeping with the head elevated are also recommendations from providers to reduce swelling. Following these aftercare instructions can significantly reduce the risk of any complications or problems arising from the procedure.

How much do PRP / PRF under-eye treatments cost?

The cost of platelet-rich plasma / fibrin injections for undereye treatment will vary depending on various factors, including the location, the quality of the aesthetic med spa facility, and the provider’s experience administering the injections.

Patients considering PRP / PRF under-eye injections will want to plan on a cost of anywhere between $500-$2000 per treatment session.

Though treatment can be costly, this should not keep patients from undergoing treatment. Many facilities that offer this service will also provide payment plans and financing options through the office or a third-party provider. Other administrators will also consider providing platelet-rich plasma injections in a package deal to reduce the overall cost of treatment for those interested in various anti-aging procedures. Patients are advised that since this is an elective procedure, it is not covered by health insurance plans and requires out-of-pocket costs to consider.

Who is a good candidate for PRP / PRF under-eye treatment?

PRP / PRF injections are best suited for patients who have signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles or puffiness under the eyes.

These treatments are not recommended for patients with active acne, rosacea, lupus, or other autoimmune diseases. Platelet-rich plasma is also not appropriate for patients who have a history of bleeding disorders or use blood-thinning medications because PRP requires some blood to achieve results.

While PRP injections are used throughout the body to reduce the appearance of aging by stimulating collagen production in new ways, they are incredibly effective at addressing under-eye issues. Many of our trained professionals will expand into other areas of aesthetic medicine to provide these injections for different areas of the face and body.

How do I learn more about training to provide PRP / PRF under-eye treatments at my practice?

PRP / PRF can be an exceptional tools to help providers learn to inject the face safely and effectively. Here at Beverly Hills RN, we have developed our own protocol for under-eye tear trough and mid-face rejuvenation which we teach in our classes.

Providers considering offering their patients PRP / PRF injections for under-eye treatment or even full facial rejuvenation are encouraged to connect with Beverly Hills RN to arrange training workshops. We are pleased to offer comprehensive injectables workshops designed for up to six providers (limited capacity allows for an intimate learning environment).

These all-day workshops include lectures, videos, marketing information, and hands-on training to ensure safety and efficacy. We welcome you to call our office at (424) 666-1572 to learn more about scheduling a training workshop for your facility. Offices can also contact Sylvia at slyvia@beverlyhillsrn.com to learn more about our training services, classes, and workshops.
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