I Tested PRP for My Fatigued-Looking Under-Eyes—Here’s What Happened

      As I've entered my late 20s and contemplated the overall condition of the world, I have found myself waking up feeling more fatigued in appearance than in the past. While I don’t think this feeling is unique—it's hard to find someone who appreciates their under-eye area—issues like dark circles, hollowness, and fine lines can be particularly disheartening and challenging to address. My social media algorithms picked up on this new insecurity, and about a year ago, they began showing me before-and-after videos from influencers claiming they had discovered the ultimate solution for under-eyes that looked as though they had enjoyed a full 10 hours of sleep. This is where platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy comes in.

      PRP started gaining attention back in 2013 when Kim Kardashian famously posted a selfie with a bloodied face, showing off a “vampire facial,” which involved microneedling followed by a mask of platelet-rich plasma to enhance cell turnover. The idea of using one's own blood in skincare may seem like something from a science fiction book, but the advantages of PRP are indeed noteworthy. In the interest of scientific exploration (and to hopefully reduce how often I need to restock my concealer), I decided to try PRP on my under-eyes to see if it would give me the bright-eyed appearance touted online. Read on for my experience along with essential information about PRP.

      

      

       MEET THE EXPERT

       Dr. Sachin Shridharani

      Dr. Sachin Shridharani is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Manhattan and the Chief Medical Officer at SkinSpirit. His expertise has been highlighted in publications such as The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan Magazine.

      

      

      

      

       MEET THE EXPERT

       Brittony Croasdell, MS, FNP-BC, APRN

      Brittony Croasdell is a nationally board-certified nurse practitioner, an accomplished author, and an international trainer in aesthetic medicine. She is also a co-owner of Fulcrum Aesthetics in Chicago.

      

      

      What is PRP?

      “PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, and platelet-rich plasma therapy is essentially a type of regenerative medicine that effectively utilizes and enhances the natural growth factors present in our blood cells to assist in healing damaged or aging tissues,” explains Dr. Shridharani. “Plasma is the fluid component of whole blood, allowing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to circulate throughout the body. Platelets, or thrombocytes, are blood cells that aid in clotting and other functions related to growth and healing. Through PRP, we collect, extract, and isolate the healing growth factor components in liquid form and inject it into the tissue.”

      Is PRP better for the under-eyes than filler?

      Although PRP therapy can be applied to nearly any tissue in the body, it has gained popularity on social media as a more effective alternative to under-eye filler. However, Dr. Shridharani points out that under-eye filler and PRP serve different purposes. “[The under-eye skin] is possibly the thinnest skin found in the human body. PRP injections rejuvenate the skin by thickening it and enhancing its overall quality,” he notes. “Injecting in regions with slightly deeper tissue may show some improvements in aging signs, but it’s not akin to filler; we’re not injecting it into the tear troughs expecting that area to suddenly appear smooth. PRP is aimed at enhancing tissue quality.”

      In contrast to filler, which adds volume to specific areas, nurse practitioner Brittony Croasdell explains that PRP therapy rejuvenates the under-eyes from within. “Unlike traditional fillers, PRP works at a cellular level to stimulate collagen production, enhance blood circulation, and promote skin rejuvenation,” she states.

      Does PRP hurt?

      If the idea of having a needle injected near your under-eye area raises concerns about pain, rest assured: PRP is typically administered after numbing the area to minimize discomfort. “Most people can expect slight pressure, a small poke, and possibly a brief stinging sensation at most,” Croasdell elaborates.

      During my PRP treatment, I received topical numbing for about 20 minutes before the injections. I felt a slight pinch at the injection sites, with the most discomfort being a brief stinging sensation that lasted about 10 seconds. While it wasn't particularly pleasant or something I'd want to endure regularly, I would rate the discomfort around a five on a scale of one to ten. Given that the entire process took around five minutes, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

      Are there any downsides to under-eye PRP?

      As with any treatment, Dr. Shridharani notes some potential downsides of PRP. “The primary drawback is that you need to have your blood drawn,” he says. Additionally, multiple sessions may be required