What Are PRP Injections?
PRP is an acronym for platelet-rich plasma. First, the patient’s blood is drawn and run through a centrifuge. Then, the platelets (known as “liquid gold” among doctors) are extracted and injected back into the patient wherever needed. PRP injections are used in a variety of ways. PRP therapy uses the patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injuries and to rejuvenate facial and breast tissue.
During the procedure, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is injected into the skin under the eyes. The treatment generally takes between 30 to 60 minutes to complete. For best results, it is recommended that patients undergo as many as three treatments, with at least a month of healing time between each session.
Is PRP Really Effective?
PRP injections work to correct dark circles and under-eye pigmentation because the plasma can repair and rejuvenate under-eye tissue. Platelets, stem cells, growth factors, and cytokines can all be found in PRP. When PRP is injected through a process called microneedling, healing that works gradually to remove dark circles is induced.
Most patients are very happy with the results of their PRP injection procedures and studies show that the results of treatment are oftentimes better than the results from topical creams and other non-invasive procedures.
What Results Can I Expect?
PRP injections repair the skin under the eyes where the dark circles are seen. Many patients report seeing results from their treatment in as few as two days after a session. However, it is important to note that it can take time to see the complete results of a PRP injection.
Many patients continue to see results long after their original PRP injection. In fact, most patients enjoy the results of their treatment and continued improvement for six to 12 months after the original injection.
Are PRP Injection Results Permanent?
Although PRP injection results last longer than most available treatments, it is important to know that the results are not permanent.
Your doctor will work with you to choose the correct number of PRP treatment sessions to best treat the condition of your skin and to achieve the results you want. Patients can typically expect to undergo three or more PRP injection sessions after the initial treatment.
The results of these injections last longer than topical under-eye solutions. However, patients should expect to need a follow-up treatment once within six to 12 months of the final PRP injection session. This timing varies depending on the patient’s age, how the body responds to the PRP treatment and the initial severity of the under-eye circles.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of PRP injections under the eyes can vary greatly depending mostly on location, facilities, and the doctor’s experience. It’s important to note that treatments are not normally covered by insurance, so you’ll need to make other arrangements if you’re planning to try PRP injections for under-eye circles. PRP injections generally cost between $500 and $2000 per session.
PRP can be costly, but it is much less expensive than invasive blepharoplasty (under-eye) surgeries. You can also talk with your doctor about options for off-setting procedure costs. Some offices offer:
- Payment plans
- Member discounts
- Financing through a third-party provider
- Package pricing discounts
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Since PRP treatments inject your own blood back into your body there isn’t much risk of serious side effects. However, there are some common side effects that you may experience, which include:
- Mild itching or irritation
- Minor swelling
- Bruising at the injection site
How Long Does It Take to Recover?
After PRP injections, many patients experience redness, swelling, bruising, and tenderness at the injection site. Don’t worry; these side effects are mild and dissipate quickly. Some PRP facial recipients say it can feel like a sunburn. One of the best things about PRP treatments is that recovery is quick! In as few as three days, your skin will appear normal again with no visible redness or bruising.
It’s important to take care of your skin after a PRP treatment session since the injections are actually tiny wounds on the skin. Gentle skincare is important, so moisturizers without harsh ingredients that will hydrate and pamper the skin are a good choice. Many providers recommend hyaluronic acid because it’s one of the most powerful and effective ingredients in moisturizers. You’ll also want to protect yourself from the sun, so it’s important to continue using sunblock after a PRP treatment.
Here are some things to do during recovery from PRP injection treatment:
- DO sleep on your back with head slightly elevated for at least two nights
- DO use sunscreen and a gentle moisturizer
- DO wait six hours before applying makeup
- DO ice the area for brief periods of time (between five and 15 minutes) to reduce swelling
And here’s what you should avoid while recovering:
- DO NOT touch the injection area for at least 6 hours after treatment
- DO NOT take Aspirin for pain as it can lead to complications because it is a blood-thinner
- DO NOT scrub, exfoliate, or massage the area for 72 hours after treatment
- DO NOT drink alcohol after injection for at least 72 hours
