PDGF, PRF, and other ABCs of the Under Eyes

There are a LOT of acronyms being thrown at patients in the aesthetic world these days. Specifically 3 found at Elevated Aesthetics start with the letter P: PDRN, PRF, & PDGF. Super confusing, we know! Let’s break down what you’re seeing on social media about these 3 ultra-viral treatments, some with similar and some with (very) different results!

PDRN
  • Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is a DNA molecule that is known for its regenerative properties
  • Extracted from salmon sperm as this is most closely consistent with our own, so easily integrated into our skin
  • Found at Elevated Aesthetics in the form of VAMP (Vitamins•Amino Acids•Minerals•PDRN)
  • Used topically while microneedling
  • Benefits documented in the literature:
    • angiogenesis (our skin’s blood flow & oxygen supply decreases with age, which results in dull, dry, & aged skin) 
    • cell activity promotion
    • collagen synthesis
    • anti-inflammation
    • hyperpigmentation treatment
    • soft tissue regeneration
    • skin priming and revitalization
    • anti-aging effects
  • We don’t typically use PDRN in the under eye region per se, unless it’s as a topical add-on with other procedures.
PRF
  • Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) is derived from your own blood, which is spun down to separate the red blood cells from the plasma. The plasma contains PRF, which houses growth factors that stimulate collagen, promote healing, and improve microvascularization.
  • PRF is the newer (better) version of PRP (which stands for Platelet Rich Plasma)
  • PRF can be used topically (such as during microneedling) at Elevated Aesthetics, as well as injected (alone or as part of the ezGEL treatment)
  • One specific area we love to inject PRF with: the under eyes! This thin, crepey area has minimal options for treatment, so PRF is one of our go-tos.
  • One of the major negatives of PRF (and any treatments that require your own blood) is that it is truly dependent on the health of your blood. If you’ve recently fought even a mild infection, deal with a lot of stress (resulting in a lot of inflammation), or have any systemic illnesses, the quality of your PRF will be less than optimal and therefore your results may be too.
PDGF
  • Platelet Derived Growth Factors (PDGF) are the newest players on the aesthetic field.
  • They are 300x more potent than PRF, but the results are more consistent with what we get with ezGEL or HA filler.
  • These pure growth factors are used topically (on-label with the FDA) and can also be injected (non-FDA approved but its safety and efficacy have been proven when using the BB subunit in particular). PDGF is already FDA-approved in treatments for wound healing, bone regeneration, and soft tissue repair. It’s been used in millions of patients with a strong track record of safety and efficacy.
  • At Elevated Aesthetics, we use Ariessence Pure PDGF+. Per their website, “the pure PDGF in ariessence is made via cutting edge recombinant technology, a highly regulated sterile manufacturing process resulting in pharmaceutical grade PDGF with no human components. It is not derived from any human tissue or cells. Every lot of PDGF meets exacting standards established during the FDA approval process for purity, potency and sterility. This process is similar to how many FDA approved biologic drugs are made today.”
  • While injecting PDGF is off-label, it’s been used, as stated above, in various areas including aesthetics. We are excited to offer this in the right patients and the right situations.
The ABCs of the Under Eyes

So with all these options mentioned, not including others like RF Microneedling & ezGEL (Bio Gel/natural filler), what’s the best option for the under eyes?

  • Bags — RF Microneedling (with or without surface radiofrequency [called Sublative RF]) first to improve the fullness & lymphatic drainage. Then we can treat the hollowness that is left with one of the options below.
  • Dark circles (without hollowing) — PRF (all natural) or PDGF (more potent)
  • Hollowing — ezGEL (all natural PRF in gel form) or PDGF (more potent)

Of course, the treatment of the under eyes (and aesthetics in general) is not cookie cutter medicine. Each individual has unique needs and anatomy, and will need a thorough examination and consultation to ensure the right treatment plan for them. Consent for treatment will include a discussion of pros & cons, risks and benefits, and an acknowledgment of anything that is performed “off-label” (which, by the way, includes most “botox” uses these days). We at Elevated Aesthetics are excited to partner with you on your skin health journey, ABCs and all!

References

Aawrish Khan, Guobao Wang, Feng Zhou, Lunli Gong, Jun Zhang, Lili Qi, Haiyan Cu. Polydeoxyribonucleotide: A promising skin anti-aging agent. Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 4 (2022) 187–193.

Ariessence pure PDGF+ FAQs. https://ariessence.com/pages/faqs

What Is PDGF? The New Frontier in Facial Injectables. American Academy of Facial Esthetics. https://facialesthetics.org/what-is-pdgf-the-new-frontier-in-facial-injectables-aafe/

 

 

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