Before treatment (5–7 days)
- Stop NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) and aspirin if medically possible — reduces bruising risk.
- Avoid vitamin E and fish oil supplements for 5 days — same reason.
- Limit alcohol 48 hours before — alcohol thins blood and increases bruising.
- Hydrate well for 2–3 days before — makes the blood draw easier and produces better PRF yield.
- Eat normally on the day — no fasting. Blood draw is small.
On arrival
- Brief check-in and medical review — we confirm there are no new contraindications since the consultation.
- Photographs for the patient record (consent obtained).
- Topical anesthesia applied to treatment area — needs 20–30 minutes to take full effect.
Blood draw
While numbing takes effect, blood is drawn from a peripheral vein (usually the inner elbow). Volume is small: 10–40 ml depending on what's being treated.
- The draw itself takes 2–3 minutes.
- Discomfort is comparable to a routine blood test.
- You'll feel fine afterwards — no faintness or weakness from this volume.
Processing
The blood is placed in the centrifuge immediately. Processing takes 8–15 minutes depending on the protocol (i-PRF is the fastest; Alb-PRF requires the additional heating step which adds ~10 minutes).
During this time you wait comfortably. The numbing from your topical anesthesia is reaching its peak.
Injection
Once the PRF is ready, it's drawn into a syringe. Injection then proceeds:
- Site is cleaned with antiseptic.
- Multiple injections across the treatment area — for facial skin, typically 30–60 points; for scalp, similar; for tear-trough, 4–8 points using cannula technique.
- Each injection is brief; the topical numbing covers most of the discomfort.
- Total injection time: 10–20 minutes depending on area.
Immediately after
- Mild redness across treatment area — resolves in 2–6 hours.
- Tiny puncture marks visible — fade over 24–48 hours.
- Possible small bruising at injection points — visible 3–7 days.
- Some swelling, especially around the eyes if treated — mostly resolves by day 2–3.
First week
- Avoid heavy exercise for 24 hours.
- Avoid heat exposure (hot showers, saunas) for 24 hours.
- Sleep slightly elevated for 1–2 nights if face treated.
- Use gentle skincare — no acids, retinoids, or strong actives for 48 hours.
- Mineral sunscreen daily.
- If bruising develops, arnica (oral or topical) helps. Avoid pressure or makeup application directly over bruises until they begin to fade.
When you'll see results
Different timelines depending on the indication:
- Alb-PRF for volume: visible immediately, settles over 1–2 weeks.
- i-PRF for skin quality: subtle improvement at 3 weeks, more visible at 6–8 weeks. Best photographed at end of week 6.
- PRF for hair: reduced shedding at 6–8 weeks; visible thickness change at 3–4 months.
- PRF for acne scars: gradual improvement over 8–12 weeks per session; cumulative across series.
FAQ
Can I drive home afterwards?
Yes. No sedation is used. You're fully functional immediately after.
Will I look bad after the session?
Most patients have mild redness and tiny puncture marks that fade within 24 hours. Some swelling — particularly with under-eye treatment — for 1–2 days. Most patients return to work the next day, though some prefer to plan a free day after the first session.
Do I need to bring anything?
Nothing special. Come hydrated. If you wear makeup, we'll remove it for the procedure. Bring sunscreen for after if you'll be outdoors.
What if I faint at blood draws?
Tell us in advance. We can have you recline fully for the draw. The volume is small and most people who faint at routine draws don't faint here, but precautions help.
Want to know if this fits your case?
A short consultation clarifies whether PRF treatment is the right tool — or whether a different approach fits better. No commitment.