WHAT IS PRF or the new age PRP treatment???
(PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin): The Ultimate Blood Concentrate)
Harvested PRP has platelets, fibrin and white blood cells, which helps achieve wound healing, collagen production and improved elasticity. PRF contains a very high concentration of white blood cells, fibrin and a small number of stem cells found circulating in our bloodstream. PRF becomes a gel after 15 to 20 minutes of being isolated and immediately upon being injected into the face or scalp. This process allows it to be used for cosmetic volume and hair restoration.
How Is PRF Obtained?
2. The tubes are then centrifuged for 5 minutes.
3. The tubes are taken out of the centrifuge and the top portions of the centrifuged tubes are drawn up to obtain the PRF for clinical treatment.
How Is PRF Different From Traditional Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?
MORE CELLS = MORE GROWTH FACTORS
Since there is no anticoagulant in the tube that the blood is collected, the plasma actually forms a platelet and white blood cell-rich fibrin scaffold once injected into the treatment area. The fibrin clot allows for a much slower and longer release of the growth factors and cytokines (up to 1 week versus few hours with PRP), again resulting in more clinical results.
UP TO 10X PLATELET CONCENTRATION
Since the blood is spinning at very low g-force to obtain the PRF, the platelet recovery is close to 100% with the PRF. We are also using only 1/10th of the volume collected. Hence, PRF contains more platelets per mcL than PRP. Additionally, PRF also has leukocytes (WBC) & mesenchymal stem cells, unlike PRP, resulting in more potential clinical results.
Fibrin is a biological scaffold that forms in response to an injury anywhere in the body. Platelets circulating in the blood will bind to a scaffold of fibrin. When platelets bind to the fibrin scaffold, they become activated and release growth factors, which start the wound healing process by creating new skin cells, collagen and blood vessels. By injecting PRF into an area on the face or scalp, a controlled inflammatory response is created, which kickstarts new cell growth and collagen production.
How Is PRF Used?
The prepared PRF is immediately ready for injection into the face to fill facial folds and wrinkles, to plump the hollows under the eyes and dark circles, and to improve skin tone and texture. The PRF can also be injected into the scalp to aid with hair restoration and growth.
PRF can also enhance the results of fillers under the eyes. Injecting fillers under the eyes can instantly improve the hollowness under the eyes and is a fabulous treatment to instantly rejuvenate this area. However, too much fillers under the eyes can make the eyes look puffy or cause a bluish tinge if injected too superficially. Also, it can be very difficult to treat the dark circles only with fillers. Injecting PRF in additional to the fillers can significantly enhance the results of the fillers by tightening the loose skin under the eyes and improving the dark circles.
What is the success rate of PRP or PRF?
A 2017 study in Italy found male patients had increased hair and density in areas where doctors used PRP/PRF therapy.