Heard of PRP? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been in the news for a few years now, ushering in awareness of innovative Regenerative Medicine options in health and aesthetics. But perhaps the term PRF is new to you.
They’re all part of an evolving continuum: PRP → PRF → PRF+EZ Gel.
Each step builds on the last, bringing longer growth factor activity, improved tissue scaffolding, and finally volume/contouring with the gel form, all from your own blood.
Still sounds confusing? Read on and we’ll simplify it for you because it’s essential to learn more about what the power of platelets can do to revolutionize the health and aesthetic options available to you today.
If you’d rather just experience it firsthand, contact us online or call ☎ (952) 234-5898 to schedule your initial consultation.
There are four basic ingredients that make up human blood:
Your blood plasma is the liquid portion of your blood, which carries the red and white blood cells and platelets throughout the body, along with proteins, nutrients, hormones, and electrolytes. Blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, are suspended in the plasma.
The platelets in your blood play a critical role in blood clotting. They also release cytokines and growth factors responsible for healing once the bleeding is stopped. White blood cells and stem cells also play a vital role in healing.
Using your own blood in a medical procedure is considered an “autologous” procedure. In medical terms, "autologous" means relating to or derived from only you – and nothing that comes from outside your body. This is in contrast to allogeneic treatments, which cells, blood or tissue from a donor.
To provide a little background, in case you’re not familiar with the Regenerative Medicine technique of using platelets from your own blood plasma to promote healing, let’s start with a short primer on what PRP is, then move into discussing PRF and PRF with EZ Gel.
Stage: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Format: Liquid
Longevity: Short-term
Effects: Growth factors with collagen + micro-rejuvenation
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is an innovative, non-surgical treatment which harnesses growth factors in your body's blood platelets to promote healing. Your liquid blood plasma is spun in a centrifuge with anticoagulants to concentrate platelets and boost growth factors. The treatment requires a blood draw. The plasma – now rich in platelets and growth factors – is then injected into the treatment area to promote healing, stimulate cell replication, and promote formation of new growth factors.
While PRP has an ever-growing list of applications in cosmetic, orthopedic, and sexual medicine, One Agora Integrative Health leverages the healing power of PRP to address specific aesthetic concerns, including:
You can read more about PRP and its cosmetic applications in our article on Cosmetic PRP. It lays the foundation for the science of platelet extraction, centrifugation, and growth-factor therapy.
From that starting point, it's easy to see how the technology naturally evolves into PRF and PRF EZ Gel, adding longevity and volumization while remaining 100 percent autologous – from your own blood.
Stage: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)
Format: Clot
Longevity: Weeks
Effects: Sustained growth factors with tissue regeneration
PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) is the next-generation iteration of treatments using platelets. It does not require anticoagulant, instead producing a fibrin-rich clot that slowly releases the same growth factors as PRP does, but over a longer time frame.
PRF offers a more sustained release of growth factors thanks to its fibrin matrix, keeping healing signals active for weeks versus PRP's shorter window.
PRF is also collected through a simple blood draw, followed by a centrifugation process that separates the blood components. The resulting PRF contains a high concentration of platelets, white blood cells, and fibrin, all exceedingly rich in growth factors that play a critical role in collagen renewal, tissue regeneration and skin rejuvenation.
At One Agora Integrative Health, we employ PRF to address an array of aesthetic concerns, including:
Stage: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) with EZ Gel
Format: Gel filler
Longevity: Long-term effects with immediate results
Effects: Volume + regeneration with natural filler-like
results
Enter PRF with EZ Gel. It takes PRF a step further. After centrifugation, the PRF (plus blood albumin) is heated and cooled to create a viscous gel—a natural, autologous filler. This filler can be used as an alternative to hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. It is not only 100 percent autologous, but it is volumizing and biostimulating. This gel offers:
PRF with EZ Gel is especially effective in treating:
One Agora Integrative Health offers all three options for platelet therapy, but there are advantages to PRF:
PRF also supports collagen formation, blood vessel growth, skin regeneration, and hair restoration, enhancing results in facial rejuvenation and hair-thickening applications
The fibrin in the PRF is what platelets bind to. When platelets bind to fibrin, they release growth factors which help to trigger the healing process - forming new collagen, blood vessels, and skin cells. PRF not only offers the same benefits PRP brings, but it releases more growth factors over a longer period of time. PRF will keeping working for weeks after your procedure.
PRF with EZ Gel has its own list of advantages, including:
Your PRF and PRF with EZ Gel Treatments will be provided in our office. During your session, the selected treatment site will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to treatment. If needed, a topical numbing cream may be applied beforehand.
The procedure itself is minimally invasive and generally quick. Here are the steps you can expect:
At your initial consultation, we will take a full medical history and evaluate the other skin rejuvenation and hair restoration options you've tried. Our physicians determine together with you if you would be a suitable candidate for PRF and PRF with EZ Gel Treatments.
We will help you select which options are right for your needs so you can experience the benefits you need for optimal health, wellness and the aesthetic results you’re looking for.
For more information about PRF and PRF with EZ Gel Treatments, speak with our experts today to see if this is the best treatment option for you. Call us at (952) 234-5898.
You may see a difference immediately after treatment, especially using PRF with EZ Gel. Results continue optimizing over weeks and continue to improve for even longer. Recurring PRF and PRF with EZ Gel Treatments sessions may be needed to provide full effects. Results, of course, vary among individuals.
The longevity of your effects and the number of PRF and PRF with EZ Gel Treatments sessions needed will depend on the specific condition being addressed, the methods utilized, how long you’ve had your skin or hair condition(s) and how severe your condition has become.
Most people experience little to no discomfort during treatment.
Swelling, soreness or redness at the insertion site is to be expected, but these effects are only mild and temporary. Otherwise, PRF and PRF with EZ Gel Treatments generally have no side effects. Potential but rare risks can include bleeding, infection, unsatisfactory results, nerve damage, skin changes, or even, in exceedingly rare cases, a blood vessel blockage. Since PRF and EZ Gel are derived from your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction is minimal.
No, there should be no downtime. We do, however, recommend that you treat yourself with care by:
Treatments generally require less than an hour, including blood drawing, processing, and injections, but can sometimes last 60 to 90 minutes. The total time is dependent on the number of treatment areas. Your initial consultation may take longer as we will require extra time to complete your medical history.
Your physician can help you determine how often to schedule repeat sessions and how to put together a PRF and PRF with EZ Gel Treatments treatment plan. You may schedule sessions as often as you need them and are seeing improvement and you can use them to address multiple treatment areas.
PRF and PRF with EZ Gel treatments have an excellent safety profile, but if you have certain allergies (e.g., to stainless steel), have hemostatic (bleeding) dysfunction, anemia, cancer, or blood clotting disorders, this method may be contraindicated. Also, if you are pregnant or nursing or taking certain medications, we will also need to delay treatment.
We will discuss all of your safety concerns at our first session before proceeding with treatment.
It’s important to note that platelet therapies like PRP, PRF and PRF with EZ Gel should be performed only by a qualified healthcare professional.
Begin your PRF and PRF with EZ Gel treatments today! Call ☎ (952) 234-5898 or contact us online for your first session.
One Agora Integrative Health Clinic
9220 James Ave S.
Bloomington, MN 55431
Phone:
(952) 234-5898
