The PRF Facial
How To Prepare For Your Treatment
The Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) Facial is an all-natural facial rejuvenation treatment that is derived from your own blood. The procedure includes injecting and micro-needling your own growth and healing factors into your skin.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits, what to expect and how to prepare for your PRF treatments.
7 Days Before Treatment
- Avoid other facial procedures that may leave your skin sensitive. This includes chemical peels, lasers, electrolysis, waxing, threading, or hair removal creams.
- Avoid oral blood thinners, which may decrease the effectiveness of your treatment. This includes alcohol, high dose omegas including fish oil/cod liver/flax oils, St John’s wort, ginkgo, garlic supplements, and vitamin E.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medication, which will also decrease the efficacy of your treatment. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, etc), diclofenac (Voltaren, etc). It is okay to use acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- If you are on any other medications that you are unsure of, please check in with your naturopathic doctor before treatment.
- Try your best to eat healthy with a whole foods-based diet to ensure your blood is in optimal condition.
3 Days Before Treatment
- Avoid active topical products that may leave your skin sensitive. This includes retinoids (Tretinoin, Adapalene, Tazarotene), retinol, and acids (glycolic acid, salicylic acid, other alpha-hydroxy acids).
- Avoid excessive sun exposure and wear a broad-spectrum SPF.
Day Before and Day Of Treatment
- Drink lots of water the day before and the morning of your treatment.
- Arrive at the clinic 30-45 minutes before your appointment to apply numbing cream. Come in with cleansed skin, preferably without make-up.
- Plan for the rest of the day to be relaxing at home. It is best to leave the PRF over your skin until the evening before bed.
Treatment After Care
- Continue to avoid anti-inflammatory medication for at least 3 days after your procedure; 7 days is optimal. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, etc), diclofenac (Voltaren, etc). It is okay to use acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Keep your skin clean. Right after your treatment until the evening, avoid any debris that may come in contact with your skin (avoid cooking over a hot stove, doing chores that may cause exposure to dirt/dust, etc). If you feel that your face has been kept clean throughout the day, clean with tepid water in the evening without a cleanser. If needed, use a gentle cleanser. Apply hyaluronic acid to cleanse moist skin. If needed, you can apply a gentle moisturizer.
- Use gentle topical products for 3-4 days. Continue to use your gentle cleanser, hyaluronic acid, and moisturizer after cleansing.
- Avoid active products for 7 days, including retinoids (Tretinoin, Adapalene, Tazarotene), retinol, and acids (glycolic acid, salicylic acid, other alpha-hydroxy acids).
- Avoid excessive sun exposure or high heat for 3-4 days (saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga, etc)
- Your skin may feel dry and/or tender the evening after treatment, and for 2-4 days. This is a normal process of your skin healing.
- Your skin may peel after 3-5 days. At this time, gentle exfoliation may be helpful to prevent your pores from being congested.
- Recommended is a minimum of 3 treatments spaced 4 weeks apart for optimal results. It can take 4-6 weeks for new collagen to form, and 3-4 months to see visible results. Results can last 6-12 months.
If you are interested in PRF facials, book in for a consultation with Dr. Kay Wong, ND to discuss your treatment options.
To book your appointment, visit our website at theiv.ca or give us a call at 778-726-3722.