PRFM in Cleveland, OH

At Wick Facial Plastics, double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Wick offers platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) for patients seeking subtle, natural-looking facial rejuvenation. PRFM concentrates platelets and growth factors from your own blood within a fibrin matrix.

Once introduced into targeted areas, these components support the body’s natural tissue-repair and regenerative processes. Because treatment is autologous—meaning it comes from your own body—PRFM provides an option for patients interested in improving early signs of facial aging without adding a synthetic filler.

What Is PRFM?

Platelet-rich fibrin matrix is an injectable regenerative treatment prepared from a small sample of your own blood. Blood contains platelets that play an important role in healing and contain growth factors involved in tissue repair. To create PRFM, a patient’s blood is processed to concentrate these platelets and incorporate them within a fibrin matrix.

The fibrin matrix provides a framework that helps retain platelets and supports a more sustained release of platelet-derived growth factors into the surrounding tissue. PRFM has been studied for several applications in facial plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine, including facial rejuvenation and tissue healing.

Rather than creating dramatic or immediate structural changes, PRFM is generally used when the goal is gradual, subtle improvement in skin quality and early age-related changes.

What Can PRFM Treat?

Dr. Wick may recommend PRFM for patients bothered by early signs of facial aging or changes in skin quality. Depending on your anatomy and treatment goals, PRFM may be used to improve the appearance of:

• Under-eye hollows
• Early facial volume loss
• Uneven or crepey skin texture
• Changes in skin tone
• Fine lines and early signs of aging
• Areas where gradual, natural-looking rejuvenation is preferred

During your consultation, Dr. Wick will evaluate whether the concern you see is something PRFM can realistically improve or whether another non-surgical facial treatment may be better suited to your anatomy and goals.

Can PRFM Help With Under-Eye Hollows?

The under-eye area is one of the most common reasons patients become interested in regenerative injectable treatments. Hollowing beneath the eyes can create shadows that make the face appear tired even when you feel well rested. Changes in skin quality can further contribute to an aged or fatigued appearance.

PRFM may be an option for appropriately selected patients with early under-eye hollowing or skin-quality concerns who want gradual improvement using an autologous treatment.
However, not every under-eye concern is caused by the same anatomy.

Volume loss, thin skin, fat-pad changes, lower-eyelid bags, pigmentation, and changes in the relationship between the eyelid and cheek can all contribute to the appearance of the area. As a facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Wick can evaluate the structures responsible for your concerns rather than simply treating the area where you notice them.

How Is PRFM Different From PRP?

PRFM and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) both use concentrated components derived from your own blood, but they are prepared differently. PRP produces plasma containing concentrated platelets and associated growth factors. PRFM processing incorporates the platelets within a fibrin matrix, which provides a scaffold that retains the platelets and allows platelet-derived growth factors to be released over time.

This characteristic has made PRFM particularly interesting for regenerative facial applications.

Wick Facial Plastics uses both PRP and PRFM for appropriate applications. Patients interested specifically in regenerative treatment for thinning hair can learn more about PRP and PRFM for hair restoration.

Is PRFM the Same as Dermal Filler?

No. Although PRFM and dermal fillers can both be used as part of a facial rejuvenation plan, they work differently and should not be considered interchangeable. Traditional dermal fillers are designed to provide more predictable and immediate volume or structural support in specific areas. PRFM uses components derived from your own blood and is generally selected when the goal is more gradual regenerative improvement.

For patients with significant volume loss or a need for greater structural correction, PRFM alone may not provide the desired change. Other patients may prefer its more subtle approach or may benefit from incorporating PRFM into a broader treatment plan. Dr. Wick can help determine whether PRFM, another injectable treatment, or a combination of approaches makes the most sense for the concern you want to address.

Who Is a Candidate for PRFM?

PRFM may be appropriate for healthy adults who are beginning to notice changes in skin quality, under-eye hollowing, or early facial volume loss and prefer a nonsurgical treatment using components from their own blood.

Good candidates generally:

• Want subtle, natural-looking rejuvenation
• Have realistic expectations about gradual improvement
• Are bothered by early under-eye or facial aging
• Prefer an autologous treatment
• Understand that PRFM does not provide the same degree of immediate volume as traditional filler
• Are willing to undergo a blood draw as part of treatment
• Are healthy enough to receive treatment safely

PRFM may not be appropriate for every patient. Your medical history, medications, blood or platelet disorders, active infections, pregnancy status, and other health factors may affect candidacy. Dr. Wick will review your health history and evaluate your facial anatomy before recommending treatment.

What to Expect During PRFM Treatment

Your PRFM appointment begins with a small blood draw. The blood is then processed using a specific centrifugation technique to separate and concentrate the components needed to create the platelet-rich fibrin matrix. Once prepared, PRFM can be introduced into targeted areas according to your individualized treatment plan.

Because the treatment is made from your own blood, PRFM is autologous and does not rely on synthetic filler material. The areas treated and amount of PRFM used will depend on your anatomy and goals. Dr. Wick will explain what she recommends and what you can realistically expect before treatment begins.

What Is Recovery Like After PRFM?

PRFM requires relatively little downtime for most patients. Mild swelling and bruising can occur at the treatment sites and typically improve within one to three days. Temporary tenderness, redness, or sensitivity may also occur following injections. Because treatment responses and healing vary, Dr. Wick will provide individualized aftercare instructions and explain when you can resume exercise, skincare products, and other activities.

How Many PRFM Treatments Will I Need?

The appropriate number of PRFM treatments varies based on the area being treated, the degree of correction desired, and your individual response. Some patients may benefit from a series of treatments, while others may undergo periodic treatment as part of a longer-term facial rejuvenation plan. Rather than prescribing the same treatment schedule for every patient, Dr. Wick will recommend a plan based on your anatomy, goals, and response to treatment.

Why Choose Dr. Elizabeth Wick for PRFM?

PRFM may come from your own blood, but achieving an appropriate aesthetic result still depends on where, why, and how the treatment is used. An under-eye hollow, for example, does not automatically mean that adding volume to the area is the right solution. Changes involving the lower eyelids, cheeks, skin, fat, and underlying facial structure can produce similar concerns but require different approaches.

Double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Wick specializes in procedures for the face and hair. Her understanding of facial anatomy allows her to evaluate the structures contributing to your concerns and determine whether regenerative treatment is likely to produce the improvement you are seeking.

Patients choose Dr. Wick for:

• Specialized expertise in facial anatomy and aesthetics
• Careful evaluation of the underlying cause of facial aging concerns
• Personalized treatment rather than a one-size-fits-all injectable approach
• A comprehensive range of surgical and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation options
• An emphasis on subtle results that preserve your individual facial characteristics

Because Wick Facial Plastics offers treatments across the spectrum of facial rejuvenation, your recommendation does not have to begin and end with PRFM. Dr. Wick can help determine which approach appropriately matches your anatomy, goals, and desired degree of correction.

Frequently Asked Questions About PRFM