The aesthetics industry is always evolving! Every year there are new advancements, discoveries, and educational opportunities in the field. At Thistle Medical Aesthetics, we are always growing alongside the industry to deliver the most impactful yet natural results for our clients. The latest discoveries that we are excited to offer our patients are regenerative medicine technologies such as PRP, PRF, and PRF EzGel. Let’s dive into what regenerative aesthetics are, how these techniques differ, and how to know what might be right for you.
What is Regenerative Aesthetic Technology?
We are taking a proactive approach when it comes to non-surgical enhancements as regenerative aesthetics shifts the light from traditional “fix-it” treatments to restorative treatments. Regenerative aesthetic technology such as PRP, PRF, and PRF EzGel, tap into the body’s own natural healing mechanisms to use your own blood, plasma, fibrin, and growth factors to encourage tissue repair, improve skin quality, and stimulate collagen production for long-term skin health. These technologies are 100% autologous, meaning it comes from your own body, it’s safe and ideal for patients looking for a natural approach to anti-aging. Let’s go over each one!
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP):
You may have heard us refer to platelet-rich-plasma as your body’s own “liquid gold.” Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a concentration of platelets in the blood that are crucial to wound healing. When used for skin rejuvenation, PRP releases growth factors into the skin to expedite the body’s own repair process and stimulate new collagen and elastin production. We love pairing PRP as an add-on to microneedling treatments to boost healing.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF):
Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) is one of the most advanced regenerative tools we use in aesthetics today. It’s created from a small sample of your own blood, similar to the process with PRP, and then spun at a lower speed to preserve powerful components like platelets, white blood cells, and growth factors. PRF forms a fibrin matrix that allows for a slower, sustained release of these growth factors over time, which means longer-lasting results than traditional PRP.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) EZ Gel:
Platelet Rich Fibrin EZ Gel is a next-level injectable (think of it like the gold standard of regenerative medicine technologies). We draw two samples of your blood: one with your PRF and one with your Albumin (a protein also found in your blood). The mixture is gently heated and cooled, forming a gel-like texture that is 100% autologous.
Once injected, the gel offers both instant smoothing and long-term regenerative benefits. The EZ Gel gives structure and volume, while the PRF slowly releases growth factors to boost collagen and elastin over time. We love utilizing this regenerative technique as an alternative to traditional dermal fillers in areas where we want additional collagen stimulation such as the under eyes, nasolabial folds, cheeks, and other hollow areas of the face that need volume and rejuvenation.
What to Expect During Treatment?
During a thorough consultation with one of our aesthetic Nurse Practitioners, we will review your medical history, assess your facial features, and create the best treatment plan for you. All three treatments start with one of our aesthetic Nurse Practitioners drawing your blood. Depending on the treatment plan, we can either apply topically, inject into treated areas or both.
The first step is to draw your blood. Once we take the sample of blood, the PRP is separated from the other components. This process involves spinning the blood at a high speed in a centrifuge to allow it to separate the plasma from the red blood cells. Results happen over time as your body begins to build new collagen, improve tone, and restore skin elasticity.
What Does Recovery and Aftercare Look Like?
There is minimal downtime associated with regenerative aesthetic treatments. However, with any treatment where we introduce a needle to the skin, there is always a chance of bruising and swelling post-treatment. There may be redness and swelling at the injection site, but this typically resolves within a few days. We highly recommend planning ahead and allocating for 2 weeks of social downtime in case of residual bruising and swelling.
What’s Right for You?
Choosing between PRP, PRF, and EZ Gel depends on your unique goals and facial anatomy. Our team is excited to assist in making the best treatment recommendations for you! Our team stays educated, hands-on, and constantly curious, which means you’re getting the most thoughtful, effective care possible.
Our team makes it a priority to invest in continued education and training to bring these powerful tools to our clients. We’d love to help create an individualized treatment plan that’s designed just for you! We welcome you in for a consultation here with an aesthetic provider.
