Platelet Rich Fibrin | PRF

Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) in The Woodlands, Texas, with Dr. W. Marshall Guy

Our practice always strives to bring the most effective, natural, and cost-effective treatment methods to our patients. In today’s world, more and more patients are leaning towards “natural” solutions to solve their aging-related cosmetic concerns. There is perhaps nothing more natural than a treatment method that’s derived from your body’s own healing and growth factors.

You may have heard of PRP or platelet rich plasma. Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is the evolution of PRP. These treatments involve the placement of your own growth factors and cytokines which are molecules that help with skin healing and growth. PRP and PRF both deliver the same materials. The difference is the speed with which the samples are spun as well as how they interact once injected. With PRP it is collected with a tube that prevents the blood from clotting. This means everything is released very quickly upon injection. The anticlotting agent also causes a little discomfort as well. With PRP there is no anti clotting material used in the tube. This means there is minimal discomfort with the injection and more importantly, it provides a temporary scaffold that stores the growth products. 

 These products are then released over the course of weeks providing a more steady state. The best analogy for this is a time released medication. Instead of having to take a pill multiple times a day the time released version releases medication with a single daily dose. With PRF because it stores the healing growth factors and slowly releases them, it provides for more improvement. It is great for hair restoration, usually performed about every 6 weeks for 3-6 treatments. It is also effective for treating under eye circles from skin discoloration, and provides temporary volume for under eye hollows. In addition, it can be injected throughout the skin to improve skin quality. Find out more with your consultation if this treatment is right for you.

If you want to learn more about platelet-rich fibrin in The Woodlands, Shenandoah, Spring, Cypress, Conroe, Kingwood, or Huntsville, TX, call (832) 956-1040 or schedule a meeting with Dr. Marshall Guy today.

How is PRF Different From PRP?

PRP and PRF are very closely related; PRF is essentially the evolution of PRP. Each treatment involves placing growth factors and cytokines that help with skin healing and growth. However, PRF produces much more robust results than PRP. This is primarily because of the way the samples are collected, as well as how they interact once injected.

The key advantages that PRF has over PRP are:

  • No Anti-Clotting Material: PRP is collected with a tube that stops the blood from clotting, making everything release quickly into the body after being injected. Conversely, PRF contains no anti-clotting material in the collection tube. This means that you should not feel any discomfort during the procedure.
  • Slow Release: Whereas PRP releases into the body quickly, PRF’s lack of anti-clotting material in the tube allows for a temporary scaffold that stores the growth products and releases them more gradually. This takes place over the course of weeks, which entails more healing and better results. The best analogy for this is a time released medication; instead of having to take a pill multiple times a day, the time released version releases medication with a single daily dose.

It's Your Time to Look Your Best!

Dr. Guy is a specialist in all areas of rejuvenation and reconstruction for the face and neck. As a double board-certified and fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Guy knows that everyone ages differently and that there is no one size fits all when it comes to restoring a youthful appearance. From surgical options like a facelift to non-surgical options like Botox® and dermal fillers, there’s never a better time to look your best. 

What is PRF Used For?

PRF can be used to improve the following areas:

  • Skin Quality: PRF can be injected in various areas to improve skin quality and brilliance.
  • Hair Restoration: PRF is excellent for hair restoration. It typically works best when administered every six weeks for three to six treatments.
  • Other Aging Issues: PRF also treats undereye circles from skin discoloration, adds temporary volume for under-eye hollows, and more.

Dr. Guy will recommend PRF if he feels it will address your concerns in the best way.

What are the Benefits of PRF Injections?

PRF can be highly beneficial to anyone concerned with the conditions listed in the section above. It also maintains many advantages, including:

Because PRF is derived from a sample of your blood, you will not be injected with any foreign materials. Our specialists will take the sample, process it through a centrifuge, and then reinject it into the treatment areas.

Like PRP, PRF is almost entirely safe. Adding no foreign materials means that your body will not reject the injections. It also means that you have virtually no chance of having an allergic reaction to the serum.

Experts have proven that PRF can deliver dramatic anti-aging results for the right patients. It works to actively restore your skin and hair by generating elastin, collagen, and other key factors.

If you want to learn more about Platelet Rich Fibrin in The Woodlands, Spring, Shenandoah, or greater Houston area, your next step is to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Guy.

Ready to Look Your Best?

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Your Consultation with Dr. Guy

Are you ready to see what PRF injections can do for you? If so, Dr. Guy would be happy to meet with you to discuss the unique benefits that PRF can offer you. Dr. Guy will explain the procedure to you, let you voice any questions or concerns, and also recommend any other treatments that may better suit your needs. The decision to have a cosmetic procedure lies solely in your hands; Dr. Guy is only here to help you find the results you want.

Searching for PRF near me? If you would like to learn more about The Woodlands PRF injections, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Guy today!

Platelet Rich Fibrin- Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of your PRF injections may depend on several factors, including the size of the treatment area, the amount of PRF injected, and the procedure’s duration. Our staff can provide you with a full breakdown of the estimated costs after consulting with Dr. Guy. 

Not really. Most find the injections to be mild and very manageable. If you are worried about any pain, Dr. Guy can recommend using a numbing cream or pain medication to ease you through the process.

Many procedures can improve facial skin quality. The most dramatic changes come from surgical procedures such as a facelift, brow lift, neck lift, etc. Dr. Guy also offers microneedling, skin resurfacing procedures, and much more. He will gladly help you discover the option that works best for you.

PRF can treat a range of skin concerns, such as discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles. It is also popularly used for treating under eye circles. Apart from skin concerns, PRF injections can also help with hair loss. 

Both PRF and PRP use your body’s own growth factors to boost skin’s healing ability and improve its quality. But there are some notable differences between the two. While PRP releases its factors quickly after the injection, PRF follows a slow-release method. This makes PRF results more effective and noticeable overtime. As compared to PRP, PRF uses no anti-clotting agents and causes little to no discomfort as a result.

As PRF slowly releases injected growth factors for optimal healing and improvement, it can typically take 6 weeks for you to see visible enhancements in your skin’s quality. This duration also depends upon the type of concern that you want to treat with PRF. Dr. Guy and his team can provide you with an estimated timeline of your PRF treatment results after your personalized consultation.

PRF results for under eye treatments may typically last for 6 months to 1 year. The duration depends on your body’s response to the treatment as well as age-related factors. If you feel that your PRF results have started to wear off, you can start another PRF treatment plan to continue retaining them.

Your PRF treatment is performed without any incisions or intensive procedures. The growth factors that are derived from your blood are extracted using a needle, and your PRF treatment is administered through an injection. This prevents the need for taking any time off work for healing. Once you receive your PRF treatment, you also don’t need to take any time for bed rest. However, you may still feel side effects, such as redness, bruising, and swelling, across the treatment area that should subside within a few days.

PRF treatment is an outpatient procedure taking about 30 minutes total in the office.  After the treatment you can immediately go home and don’t require a driver. In order to manage possible side effects, such as redness, bruising, and swelling, you should follow aftercare instructions provided by Dr. Guy and our team.

In order to prepare for your PRF treatment, you need to follow specific but easy instructions. These include suggestions like not drinking alcohol, not taking certain anti-inflammatory medications, and avoiding certain foods a few days prior to your treatment. It is also recommended you come in hydrated.  Dr. Guy and our team provide you with a detailed list of instructions to help you achieve ideal results from your PRF treatment.

To avoid any discomfort and irritation, it is advised that you don’t apply any makeup for at least 4 hours following your PRF injection. You also need to avoid exfoliating skincare products for at least 3 to 5 days after treatment. Dr. Guy and our team will provide you with a detailed list of aftercare instructions to help you care for your skin after the treatment session.

Most patients typically need multiple treatments to improve the appearance of undereye circles and hair thickness, with each treatment spaced a few weeks apart. After understanding your concerns and assessing factors such as your age, Dr. Guy will create a personalized PRF treatment plan to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. This helps you understand the overall duration of the treatment plan before you receive your first PRF injection.