likeEveryone wants healthy, beautiful skin, and with modern advancements in aesthetic technology, there’s an effective injectable treatment for every patient. At Southwest Michigan Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, we work to help the people of our area and beyond feel more confident in their appearance.
But not every treatment can provide the results you’re looking for. If you’re interested in an injectable skin treatment, you may need help determining the best option for your needs.
Many patients meet with our team because they’re seeking to add volume to their features with a dermal filler. But many of those patients haven’t heard of PRF injections and the remarkable results they can achieve, often surpassing those of traditional fillers.
If you’re stuck deciding between fillers and PRF injections near Kalamazoo, read on for the information you need.
Understanding Your Injectables
First, it’s important to note that whether you choose PRF injections or fillers, either of these treatments can help you experience a more rejuvenated, youthful look.
Both of these treatments can help you experience positive results without requiring an invasive surgery—the simple process is why so many patients opt for an injectable treatment to begin with. However, that’s essentially where most of the similarities end.
While fillers and PRF injections near Kalamazoo can help you boost your confidence through nonsurgical methods, the ways in which they provide their results couldn’t be more different.
The Science Behind Fillers and PRF Injections
Fillers and PRF treatments both enhance patients’ skin by way of injections, but the science behind those injections varies significantly. Fillers work by literally “filling in” lost volume in the face with a hydrating, gel-like solution.
We have a number of options, including fillers like Juvederm and similar biostimulating options like Sculptra.
PRF, on the other hand, works by using the body’s natural materials to invoke the healing process.
When a patient comes to our clinic for PRF injections, we extract a sample of their blood and spin it in a centrifuge to extract platelet-rich fibrin (which is where the injections get their name).
Platelet-rich fibrin has a number of beneficial healing properties, making it the perfect choice for rejuvenating the skin. We then inject this solution into the treatment area to heal and revitalize your appearance.
What PRF and Fillers Treat
PRF and fillers are similar in that they can both improve the appearance of aged skin, but each one has its strengths. You may wish to schedule a filler treatment if your face has lost volume. This happens over time naturally, as your body produces less collagen and elastin.
For example, you may have noticed that your cheeks don’t look as full as they once did, or that your under eyes seem more hollow, leaving you looking tired and weary. We can often attribute these concerns to the natural decline of collagen and elastin, which are two key proteins that provide strength and structure to your skin. As protein levels decrease with age—losing roughly 1% of our collagen supply every year after the age of 25—your features often take on a more sunken appearance.
Similar to filler, PRF can also restore volume to the face, but it’s especially effective at repairing damaged skin texture. Furthermore, PRF improves collagen structure and production for comprehensive rejuvenation. We may also recommend PRF injections near Kalamazoo if you want to regrow hair.
Deciding Between Your Options
Given the many similarities and differences between fillers and PRF injections, you may feel some apprehension about deciding on the right treatment for your needs. But our experts are here to help find the most effective injectable to enhance your skin and rebuild your confidence.
Before you receive a single injection, you first need to talk with our experts at an in-person consultation. During the consultation, our providers ask you some important questions about your medical history and treatment expectations.
They also examine your skin’s current condition to determine the best treatment for your needs. But this is a two-way conversation, so don’t be afraid to raise any questions and communicate your preferences. After all, this is your aesthetic treatment.
The Treatment Process
You may assume that because fillers and PRF injections near Kalamazoo are both injectable treatments, the process looks the same. And while parts of the PRF injection process resemble a filler treatment, PRF injections are more in-depth.
When you come in for a filler, your providers will determine the best place for injections, perform them, and send you on your way. But the PRF injection process looks a little different. Because these injections rely on platelet-rich fibrin, we first need to extract it from the body.
We complete a standard blood draw, place the sample into a centrifuge, and then spin it until the PRF separates from the rest of the blood components. Next, we inject this into the treatment area so the concentrated growth factors within the solution can stimulate healing.
An Extra, EZ Boost
If you elect to receive a PRF injection treatment, then you may want to ask your providers about EZGel. EZGel is another PRF injection we offer at Southwest Michigan Plastic Surgery that can provide enhanced results.
The philosophy behind the EZGel treatment is the same, but the difference in this treatment comes after we extract the platelet-rich fibrin from your blood.
We can perform a specialized heating and cooling process that turns the PRF into a gel, which we then inject into your face as normal. Because the PRF’s consistency is more solid, it won’t spread as easily, allowing you to experience more concentrated results.
Pairing Your PRF Injections
At Southwest Michigan Plastic Surgery, we believe the way to see the best possible results is through combining multiple treatments. One way you can enhance the results of your PRF injections is by combining them with microneedling.
A microneedling treatment, like PRF injections, uses your body’s natural healing process to repair your damaged skin. We perform the microneedling treatment with a specialized handheld applicator.
It works like an ink press stamp, but instead of ink, this “stamp” has small needles at its tip. These don’t cause severe damage to the skin—they just create small microinjuries on the surface, which kick-start the body’s natural healing process.
Noticeable Results Without Serious Pain
One benefit of both the filler and PRF injection process is that it doesn’t cause serious pain. You won’t need any painkillers or numbing agents during the treatment process, but that isn’t to say that you won’t feel anything when we perform your injections.
You may feel a slight pinch as we extract the blood or insert the fillers. If you’ve ever had a flu shot or blood draw, then you should have a good idea of what to expect from an injectable treatment. At Southwest Michigan, we believe patients should be able to experience aesthetic results without intense pain or irritation.
Downtime Following Your Treatment
One fortunate similarity between fillers and PRF injections near Kalamazoo is the lack of downtime. Following your treatment with either of these injectables, you can go home or return to work without setting aside any time to recover.
In general, a filler appointment may take around 30 minutes to complete, and a PRF injection may take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.
Because your treatment session should take an hour or less without downtime, you can easily complete it over your lunch break. You don’t have to take a day off work to see the results you need.
How long will the results last?
If you receive a filler treatment from our team at Southwest Michigan, you may experience the benefits from anywhere for 6 to 12 months. PRF injections near Kalamazoo offer somewhat similar results—you should expect them to last a year in total.
When you notice your results waning, you don’t need to worry. You can prolong the effects by scheduling a maintenance treatment with our team.
Just contact the providers at Southwest Michigan Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, and we can perform additional injections so you can enjoy smoother, healthier skin for longer.
How many treatments will I need?
You shouldn’t need many treatments to see the results you’re looking for. In fact, if you choose to undergo a treatment with fillers, you should only need one injection session to get the results you need.
If you’re interested in PRF injections near Kalamazoo, you may need multiple treatments for the best possible results. Most patients need 2 to 3 sessions to reduce wrinkles and restore their skin texture.
Want additional info about our injectables?
Do you want more information about PRF injections or fillers? We have exactly what you need. Our educational blog is the best way to learn about everything going on at our clinic.
At Southwest Michigan Plastic Surgery, we believe clinics like ours should do more than simply provide aesthetic and surgical services. We want you to leave our clinic with a deeper understanding of the process. You shouldn’t just experience positive results, you should know why you’re experiencing them.
Inject New Life Into Your Skin
In the current age, you have a number of options for repairing your skin. If you want healthier, smoother skin, we have the treatments to help you achieve your goals.
And whether you’re interested in fillers or PRF injections, we can find the right choice for you. To take the first step on your treatment journey, contact our team for a consultation.
You can also try our online treatment planner to receive a custom recommendation based on your needs. Take advantage of our aesthetic treatments and see the skin you want in the mirror.
