What is PRP and PRF?
PRP stands for platelet rich plasma–it is derived from a patient’s own blood sample, that is then processed in the clinic to concentrate the healing factors into a clear-yellow liquid that can be used in a number of ways to promote healing. PRF stands for platelet rich fibrin which is similar to PRP, but is slightly thicker and even more concentrated with healing growth factors and platelets which help stimulate stem cell activity and promote collagen production where it is applied.
Both in the aesthetics world and in several other applications (sports medicine, sexual wellness, and more), PRP and PRF offer a number of key advantages over alternative treatments. Using your own platelets or fibrin keeps the incidence of “rejection” or other adverse reactions very low. The different growth factors inherent in platelet-rich plasma promote skin rejuvenation, the formation of new blood vessels, cellular turnover, and many other key processes in the body.
What's the big deal about PRP and PRF?
Recent research supports the benefits of PRF for tissue repair, and it’s often combined with cosmetic procedures like microneedling, hair restoration, and cosmetic injection. PRP and PRF can enhance healing and stimulate the formation of collagen and elastin to tighten and rejuvenate skin.
Boosting collagen production is especially vital for patients in their 30s and beyond, as this is when the body’s natural collagen activity begins to decline. Yet another benefit to stimulating collagen and elastin activity, beyond their rejuvenating effects, is the fact that these vital constituents of healthy skin continue to produce results as the fibers mature and proliferate over time.
Whether you’re targeting oversized pores (PRF is particularly effective at shrinking these), scars, or fine lines, among other issues, PRP and PRF plug directly into your body’s innate healing mechanisms to naturally resolve these issues with very little risk or downtime.
How Are PRP and PRF Different?
While there is plenty of overlap between these two leading-edge treatments when it comes to their mechanisms, benefits, and more, they still differ in certain applications and advantages. Appreciating these differences allows for patients and their providers to make more targeted, informed choices that best address each patient’s unique circumstances.
- Processing – Both PRP and PRF are processed in a centrifuge, which is a machine that spins rapidly, allowing these components to separate from the blood. However, PRP is typically spun at a higher speed, which means certain cell types (e.g., white blood cells and stem cells) are not included in the final product. PRF, on the other hand, is spun at a lower speed, allowing it to retain white blood cells, stem cells, and more platelets.
- Onset and Duration of Results – PRP begins releasing growth factors very soon after the treatment is administered. Whether for athletes looking to bounce back quicker from joint injuries or for cosmetic patients following up their microneedling and other treatments, PRP is the choice when quick recovery is needed. While PRF doesn’t begin working as quickly, it allows for a slower and more sustained release of growth factors because of the fibrin.
- Consistency and Usage – PRP is a thinner liquid that can be injected or applied topically. It’s thin texture makes it an ideal complement to treatments like microneedling (“vampire facial”), as it can be spread evenly over a diffuse area and, as mentioned, absorb quickly. PRF is a thicker product, and is often used to remedy crepey skin and volume loss, such as with under-eye rejuvenation treatment.
Wondering which of these treatments is right for you? It depends on a balancing of factors, including the nature of your skincare concerns, your health history, the size and location of the treatment area(s), your skin type, and other considerations. Our team at Aledo Empowered Wellness will cover all of these factors and more in a consultation to create the most effective treatment plan for you.
What’s different about PRP and PRF at Aledo Empowered Wellness?
At Aledo Empowered Wellness we use PRP and PRF for aesthetic, orthopedic, and intimate wellness purposes. When PRP or PRF is added to procedures like Morpheus8, SkinPen Microneedling, Sculptra Injections and the like, healing time is reduced and results are amplified. To see how PRP is used in Hair Restoration click here.
To see how PRP and PRF are used in Men’s intimate health and wellness click here, and women’s intimate wellness click here.
PRP For Sexual Wellness
Not only can we use PRP for joint health, hair restoration, and to treat cosmetic concerns, but we can also use it to promote sexual wellness. We offer a P-Shot and O-Shot alternative for men and women who want to improve sexual health and wellness and treat specific symptoms and conditions.
How Does PRP and PRF Treatment Work?
While certain specifics can vary according to the issue(s) being treated, where the treatment area is located, and other factors, the following guide offers a simple framework for the steps involved in a typical PRP or PRF treatment.
Once you’ve undergone a consultation and scheduled your treatment, the first step is a blood draw. This is a routine blood draw that should feel just like those you may have had in the past for lab testing purposes.
Then, the drawn blood is placed into the centrifuge that we mentioned earlier. It is spun at a carefully calibrated speed to ensure that the plasma or fibrin is separated from other components of the blood. This process also just takes a few moments, and is completed as you relax in the treatment room.
Finally, the PRP or PRF is reintroduced into the body via injection and/or microneedling. In other cases, PRP or PRF may be topically applied. Which of the three administration routes works best for you depends on the targeted area and concerns.
Once the treatment has concluded, you will be provided with aftercare guidelines, typically including sun exposure limitation, skincare recommendations, and more.
When Will My Results Be Visible?
Different applications come with different timetables in terms of when you are most likely to start seeing results and how long they are likely to last. As mentioned, PRP will generally produce results earlier than PRF.
To provide some context, PRP for skin rejuvenation may produce results (more balanced tone, improved texture, etc.) within as little as a week. It’s also important to remember that your initial results will continue to improve for several months after you first begin to notice them, thanks to the collagen boost.
On the other hand, patients who undergo PRP or PRF treatments for sexual wellness purposes typically experience a more gradual progression of results. Usually, it takes at least several weeks, if not a few months, for tissue healing to allow for improved performance.
Get Real, Natural Results With PRP And PRF By Aledo Empowered Wellness
As firm believers in the power of PRP and PRF injections to heal the body from the inside out, our team at Aledo Empowered Wellness is passionate about bringing this natural solution to as many patients as possible.
Whether you’re in search of a hair restoration treatment, sexual wellness boost, or a game-changing skincare treatment, we’re here to deliver results you can see and feel.
Contact us for a consultation today and experience the power of PRP and PRF treatment for yourself.
