What do you do when over-the-counter serums and ointments aren’t working to soften lines and brighten dull skin, but you’re not interested in injecting your face with a product either? Incredibly, there’s a treatment that strikes the perfect balance: microneedling. This non-invasive treatment uses the body’s ability to heal itself to give patients a glowing, refreshed look. And now our team at Restore Center for Aesthetics in Munster, IN, offer microneedling with PRF, which makes for a faster recovery and even more dazzling results.
What Is Microneedling With PRF?
This incredible, FDA-approved treatment induces the production of new collagen and elastin in the body. It does this by creating “micro-injuries” along the skin’s surface using microscopic needles, which kickstarts the body’s healing process as it works to create new skin cells and tissue. The addition of PRF enhances the healing process, speeding it up and making for more effective results. Patients walk away with glowing, firm skin that looks refreshed and younger.
How Does Microneedling With PRF Work?
We depend on naturally-occurring proteins like collagen and elastin to keep our skin tight and supple. But as we age, our bodies’ production of these proteins slows, which leads to sagging, coarse, skin. When this treatment activates the body’s healing process, it kickstarts the production of brand new collagen and elastin, so sagging skin can become firm once again. New skin cells lead to a more even skin tone and texture and create a youthful look – after all, fresh new skin more closely resembles younger skin.
PRF, or platelet-rich fibrin, is what elevates this treatment. PRF is made by extracting platelets and stem cells from the blood. Platelets are the things that clot blood, and as such are a key part of the body’s healing process. When PRF is applied to the skin directly after micro-injuries have been made, these platelets activate and make the body’s regeneration even more effective. The skin ends up with a firmer and more refreshed look than microneedling would be able to achieve on its own.
What Is the Difference Between PRF and PRP?
You may have heard of “PRP”, or “Platelet-Rich Plasma”. While both PRP and PRF are concentrated versions of blood, there’s a key difference between them. PRP usually includes artificial additives, whereas PRF is a completely natural product. This makes PRF a great option for people who want to achieve the most natural effects possible. It’s also the best way to ensure your body doesn’t have an allergic reaction to treatment – when the product used only contains substances your body’s produced, it’s unlikely it will reject it.
What Happens During Treatment?
Before
The first step is to come in for an initial consultation with a member of our expert staff. You can tell us all about your cosmetic concerns so we can make sure this treatment will aptly remedy them. We’ll also make sure you’re a good candidate by going over your medical history and any medication you might be in. If everything looks good, we’ll draw up a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific concerns, including exactly where treatment will be performed.
Steps To Take Before Treatment
To achieve the best results from treatment, we’ll suggest some minor lifestyle adjustments you can make ahead of your appointment. We recommend patients avoid excessive sun exposure to the face for two weeks before treatment so you don’t risk getting sunburnt. We’ll also suggest avoiding blood-thinning medication that could lead to bruising after treatment, including fish oil tablets, ibuprofen, and aspirin. If you’re someone who gets cosmetic injections, we’ll ask you to leave a two-week gap between your last injection and this treatment.
Your Session
On the day, we’ll get you to come into our gorgeous Munster office where we perform the treatment. We’ll likely apply a topical numbing cream to start with, so you experience little discomfort. We’ll then apply the device to the treatment areas of your face, allowing the tiny needles to puncture the skin. Once this is done, we’ll rub the PRF into these micro-injuries, making sure the skin absorbs it all. We’ll finish off with a soothing balm or moisturizer, and you’ll be all set!
What Will Recovery Be Like?
Patients love that microneedling with PRF requires zero downtime. You won’t need to spend time off work or away from social engagements, unlike cosmetic surgeries that require a week of bed rest so you can heal. You can even drive yourself to and from your appointment since we don’t use anesthetic! In the 24 hours following treatment, you’ll be advised against touching your face. After a few days, you can commence your normal skincare routine, and after a week you can use stronger products like retinol again.
How Many Sessions Does It Take To See Results?
Amazingly, many patients see gorgeous results after a single session and even walk away immediately after treatment with brighter skin. The results gradually develop in the next two weeks or so, as collagen and elastin are produced and the skin becomes more voluminous and lifted and new skin cells help balance out the skin’s tone. But the best results can be achieved with between three and five sessions. The exact amount will depend on the individual and the skin conditions they’re looking to treat.
How Often Will Sessions Need To Be?
We generally schedule sessions about six weeks apart. This gives the skin time to fully heal before it’s punctured again, so we don’t risk aggravating it. It also allows us to monitor your progress and see how well your results are developing. If we need to make any changes to your session timeline or how many you need, we can update accordingly. Sessions generally never take more than half an hour, which means they can easily slot into even the busiest schedules.
Where Can This Treatment Be Applied?
This treatment is used on all areas of the face to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The needles are so delicate they can even be used on more sensitive skin near the eyes and around the mouth. It also works to combat an uneven skin tone, whether it’s the result of broken capillaries, rosacea, or just regular hyperpigmentation. It’s an excellent remedy against common skin concerns like acne, enlarged pores, and rough skin texture.
Because this treatment boosts collagen production, it can be very effective in lifting sagging skin thanks to the restoration of volume to the face; the PRF enhances this. That being said, those who are looking to treat severely drooping skin such as jowls or turkey neck may want to investigate other options. Luckily, the team at Restore Center for Aesthetics is highly trained in several anti-aging solutions, including injectables and cheek lifts. We’ll be sure to find you an alternative that will satisfy your cosmetic concerns.
What Could Make Me Ineligible for Treatment?
We encourage anyone over 18 who’s struggling with the aesthetic concerns listed in this article to come in for a consultation since there’s no one single age, gender, or skin tone that this treatment works better on. That being said, some pre-existing medical conditions, as well as certain medications, may be incompatible with this treatment. Those who are pregnant or planning on falling pregnant by also be advised to come back for treatment at a later time.
Can I Try This Treatment at Home?
You’ve probably seen derma rollers available at your local drugstore or online. Like this treatment, these devices make tiny injuries in the skin that the body then heals, creating a smooth, refreshed look. The problem is, derma rollers only puncture the very top layer of the skin. Microneedling, meanwhile, reaches the dermal layers underneath the skin, and this is what triggers the production of collagen and elastin. Importantly, PRF is only available when treatment is done professionally, so you’d miss out on the gorgeous boost that PRF can afford you.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Are you ready to look younger and more gorgeous with an incredible, non-invasive treatment? Is it time to throw your ineffective serums and ointments in the trash? Microneedling with PRF can have you looking naturally gorgeous, refreshed, and younger-looking in just a few easy sessions. You’ll love how much this treatment can enhance your existing beauty and instill you with confidence! To get started, contact our team at Restore Center for Aesthetics in Munster, IN, today.
