PLATELET-RICH FIBRIN MATRIX (PRFM): THE KEY TO ETERNAL YOUTH?

Men and women have been trying since the beginning of time to look and feel younger. From Ponce DeLeon’s quest to find the Fountain of Youth in the 1500s to women sleeping with slices of raw beef on their faces in the 1800s, looking and feeling younger has been a common theme throughout modern history. Today, we have lotions and potions, retinoids and eye serums, facelifts and Botox shots, and now platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) injections. Let us find out more about this.

WHAT IS PLATELET-RICH FIBRIN MATRIX (PRFM)?

You have platelets in your blood; these are also called thrombocytes. You make these blood cells in your bone marrow, and they help prevent you from bleeding to death if you get a small cut or scrape. You will notice their effects when you see your blood thicken and clot after a mishap with a paring knife, for example. These microscopic powerhouses also help your tissues regenerate and repair themselves after imperceptible injuries, which all of us suffer regularly.

They also stimulate stem-cell production and soften wrinkles and fine lines. With the PRFM procedure, your platelets are used. They are removed from the rest of your blood and purified so that they are highly concentrated and perfectly positioned to help repair skin that has been damaged by the sun and by the aging process. When the PRFM is injected, it stimulates the body to repair this damage and increases collagen levels.

IS PRFM THE SAME AS PRP?

You might have heard of platelet-rich plasma, which is abbreviated as PRP. While PRP can also help minimize aging signs, it is not considered as significant as PRFM in some cases. The volume of platelets used in PRP is substantially less than that used in PRFM. Also, PRFM includes plasma and fibrin, which boosts the effects.

CAN I HAVE AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO PRFM?

The platelet-rich fibrin matrix that is injected into your skin has been created with your platelets. Since it came from your body, you cannot have an allergic reaction to it. The purification and concentration processes also do not contain anything that would cause an allergic reaction. Your cosmetic surgeon will be able to go through the process with you if you have questions about this.

HOW LONG DO RESULTS TAKE TO SHOW?

PRFM works by stimulating collagen and fat production, which, in turn, smooth out wrinkles and give the skin a youthful, supple glow. In one study, increased collagen was detected after about two weeks, and increased fat production, which fills in fine lines and wrinkles, was seen after about ten weeks. This is not something to use if you are looking for a quick, dramatic fix.

The results are subtle, and it will take several treatments to begin to show up where you and others will be able to notice the results. The results will often last about a year, at which time you might choose to have it done again. You can also switch to a different treatment type if you would like more dramatic results or look for something that works faster.

BENEFITS OF PRFM

One of the main benefits of PRFM is that it’s relatively non-invasive and does not require surgery. It also does not involve synthetic fillers. The material injected is made from your blood cells, so there is not any worry of causing an allergic reaction or of your body not tolerating the procedure. While it does not work as quickly as some other types of interventions, it can help you look younger over time and has a natural effect.

Another benefit is the slowness at which it works. Rather than returning to work or seeing a friend for lunch and looking completely different, platelet-rich fibrin matrix allows for gradual changes that are not as noticeable to others in a short time. This helps ensure your privacy if you do not want to tell others that you are having work done.

OTHER ANTI-AGING TREATMENTS TO CONSIDER

Having cosmetic surgery procedures done is a very personal decision and choosing the procedure that works best for you is between you and your surgeon. Here are some other procedures you might consider:

Blepharoplasty is a procedure that removes bags under the eyes. This can help you look younger if your primary concern is dark circles and swelling under the eyes. It is a simple procedure and only takes a few hours.

Rhytidectomy, more commonly called a facelift, tightens various areas of the face. It is usually performed on patients under the age of 80, but if you are over 80, you can still talk to your surgeon about it to see if you have enough elasticity in your skin to do the procedure.

A neck lift is another procedure that can make you look younger. As gravity takes its toll over the years, your neck will often tend to sag. Lifting it back up can remove years or even decades from your overall appearance. This can be combined with a facelift or other procedures for a more dramatic change.

Botox injections are also a popular and less invasive way to look younger than having surgery. Botox can help remove crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles, and other problem areas. It can also be used in the neck and jaw to help you look younger. The results can last from two to six months and can be repeated after that.

No matter what you choose when it comes to aging, realize that your decision is personal and up to you. You can choose to work with a plastic surgeon to minimize wrinkles with surgery, or you might choose an injectable treatment like platelet-rich fibrin matrix. Talk to your health care professional about what is right for you and your appearance goals.