Platelet Rich Fibrin Specialist

What is platelet-rich fibrin?

You may have heard of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy as a way to promote healing in your body after an injury, to help with wound healing after surgery, or as an anti-aging treatment. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) treatments are similar to PRP.

The great thing about PRF is that most people are good candidates for treatment, depending on your individual concerns. PRF improves wound healing, collagen production, and skin elasticity. Like PRP, PRF is harvested from your very own blood.

Your provider at HK Dermatology first draws a small amount of blood from your arm, just like a normal blood draw. Instead of going to a lab for testing, however, your blood goes into a centrifuge to separate out your blood platelets and fibrin from the other components in your blood.

Unlike platelet-rich plasma (PRP), PRF doesn’t require the use of additives like a blood thinner anticoagulant and is therefore 100% natural. PRF extraction provides a platelet concentration that is ten times higher than with PRP. The fibrin component of the PRF also provides a scaffold from which growth factors and stem cells are released for a longer period of time, leading to a better end result.

How is PRF different than PRP?

Unlike platelet-rich plasma (PRP), PRF doesn’t require the use of additives like a blood thinner anticoagulant and is therefore 100% natural. PRF extraction provides a platelet concentration that is ten times higher than with PRP.  The fibrin component of the PRF also provides a scaffold from which growth factors and stem cells are released for a longer period of time, leading to a better end result.

What are PRF Injections?

When mixed with fillers, you experience initial desired volumizing from the filler while awaiting the long term benefits of the PRF. For patients that are seeking filler treatment but have thin skin, PRF can actually thin the hyaluronic acid filler and allow for a smoother, more natural-looking injection. It acts as a temporary volumizer; however, the true advantage of this treatment is the rejuvenation of skin quality.

When injected without fillers, the volume typically dissipates after a few weeks and long-term effects, such as skin tightening, collagen production, and enhanced skin quality, take up to 3-4 months to be noticed. Long term results can sometimes be seen in as little as six weeks and can last from 6-12 months. Best results are obtained with a series of 3-5 treatments spaced 6-8 weeks apart.  

What is Dermaneedling with PRF?

Following the application of a numbing cream, dermaneedling is performed while working your PRF into the microscopic openings created in your dermis by the dermaneedling device. The wound healing response and production of collagen are stimulated by the PRF, with the benefit of skin rejuvenation — a reduction of fine lines, smoother complexion, and possibly minimized brown spots.

What is the recovery from PRF Dermaneedling?

With dermaneedling, there is a day or two of downtime depending on how aggressive the microdermabrasion was on your skin. You'll emerge from treatment a bit red, almost like a sunburn, and you will be instructed not to wash the PRF off your face for a minimum of eight hours. Applying makeup is discouraged for the first 24 hours

How Does PRF Aid in Hair Restoration?

Hair loss affects millions of men and women as a result of heredity, lifestyle, and age, and surprisingly, an increasing number of younger people are losing their hair. The skilled dermatologists at HK Dermatology use the latest hair-restoration techniques, like platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) treatments, to help men and women in the Orange County area regrow their hair.

As one of the latest cutting-edge methods for treating hair loss, PRF may be the solution to your thinning hair. When injected into your scalp and into the dermis of the scalp via dermaneedling, PRF promotes hair growth and increases hair density after just a few treatments.

In recent clinical studies, men who were treated with PRF experienced a noticeable improvement in hair growth after six months. PRF plays an essential role in stimulating hair regeneration for those with male-pattern baldness. The PRF stimulates new cell growth and stimulates hair follicles to begin growing hair again. Over time, your hair becomes noticeably denser than it was prior to treatment.

One of the biggest advantages of PRF treatments to regrow hair is that the solution comes from your own body, so there’s virtually no chance of rejection or adverse reactions. Another advantage is that it’s a minimally invasive procedure that involves dermal needling, not surgery.

Plus, PRF stimulates your own hair, so it looks and feels as natural as the rest of the hair on your head. If you’re experiencing hair loss or you notice your hair is getting thinner, PRF treatments may be the ideal hair restoration solution.

What can I expect with platelet-rich fibrin hair restoration treatments?

To prepare to treat your scalp with PRF, numbing cream is applied for a minimum of 30 minutes to minimize the discomfort with during the injections and dermaneedling of the scalp. Other advantages include:

• No downtime after treatment
• No pain, since your dermatologist uses a numbing agent before injecting the PRFM
• No adverse side effects

Because hair grows in stages, you’ll need a series of treatments for the maximum benefit. Your dermatologist at HK Dermatology customizes a platelet-rich fibrin treatment plan that’s right for you.

To learn more about this innovative solution for hair loss, call HK Dermatology or book an appointment online.