Facial rejuvenation and anti-aging of the body are very significant aspects of plastic surgery. Improvement of the face is an essential part of our practice. PRF or platelet-rich fibrin is a next-generation autologous (coming from your own body) injection after the platelet-rich plasma. There are some technical differences here depending on the method of preparation.
The belief is that PRF will provide a greater amount of substance for the body to create its own collagen. Therefore, improvement in skin quality and in some instances a decrease in pigmentation.
Nonsurgical aesthetic treatments broadly include injectables. That is Botox and fillers and the application of energy devices. All of these with the intention to improve collagen production. And, therefore theoretically improve skin quality. PRF has been shown to be very valuable including treating dark circles under the eyes. Also, an improvement of the texture and the thickness of the skin are benefits.
PRF
It’s important to know that this type of treatment using your own body fluid, requires several treatments spread out over two to three months. Over time it is thought to improve skin firmness and overall quality. Filler injections can be made at the same time to improve any tear-through hollowness whereas PRF may improve the pigmentation of the same area/ texture.
PRF also can take place in conjunction with other collagen stimulators in a cocktail form to achieve longer-lasting and reliable improvement of the skin. Touchups or additional treatments are the recommendations.
These types of treatments may last a year to 18 months or in some cases – up to two years. It’s essential to understand and accept that these nonsurgical treatments are no substitute for surgery. Especially for treating excess skin of the upper lids by upper lid blepharoplasty. Fat bags of the lower lids, which can cause dark shadows mistaken for darker pigmentation of the lower lid, receive treatment with lower lid blepharoplasty.
Shots or fillers will not eradicate sagging of the neck and cheeks. Cheek and neck lifts are the best treatment for these conditions. Furthermore, attention is the direction toward the offending anatomy deep in the neck and cheeks. Surgery remains the gold standard for facial anti-aging and rejuvenation.
THOMAS TREVISANI, MD
BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
