“The eyes, Chico, they never lie” - Tony Montana, Scarface 1983
Except that the under-eyes can definitely lie and alter our perceptions that others may think we’re tired, or worse, unwell - when you’ve had a full nights rest and couldn’t feel more energetic! The delicate under-eye area is one of the first places to show signs of ageing, fatigue and lifestyle factors. Dark circles and puffiness can make you look tired, stressed, or older than you feel. While genetics play a role, environmental factors such as dehydration, and sun exposure can also exacerbate these concerns. Thankfully, advancements in cosmetic treatments have made it possible to rejuvenate the under-eye area and restore a refreshed appearance. Two treatments gaining significant popularity are polynucleotides and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). Both treatments address common under-eye concerns, such as dark circles and puffiness, through innovative techniques that promote healing, regeneration, and skin rejuvenation.In this blog, we’ll explore how polynucleotides and PRF treatments work and how they can help tackle undereye darkness and puffiness.
Understanding Undereye Darkness and Puffiness
Before diving into treatments, it’s essential to understand the causes of undereye darkness and puffiness:
- Dark Circles: These can occur due to a variety of reasons, including genetics, thin skin, poor circulation, and excess melanin production. Dark circles can also result from lifestyle factors such as lack of sleep, dehydration, or allergies.
- Puffiness (“bags”): Often caused by fluid retention, puffiness under the eyes is commonly linked to tiredness, hormonal changes, or an imbalance in lymphatic drainage. Allergies and an unhealthy diet can also contribute to under-eye swelling.
While many turn to concealers or eye creams for temporary relief, treatments like polynucleotides and PRF offer longer-lasting, more effective solutions to treat the root causes of undereye concerns.
What are polynucleotides?
Polynucleotide treatment is a regenerative approach built on polynucleotide (PN) fragments, which are derived from salmon DNA. These fragments are rich in regenerative properties that can stimulate skin healing, boost collagen production and improve overall skin texture.Polynucleotides is widely known for its ability toregenerate skin at a cellular level, making it a powerful solution for treating a variety of skin concerns, includingfine lines,wrinkles,skin thinning, andundereye darkness.How Does polynucleotides Work for Undereye Darkness and Puffiness?The treatment’s polynucleotide fragments work by promoting skin regeneration and collagen production, improving the skin’selasticityandstrengthover time. The treatment is particularly beneficial for the delicate skin under the eyes, where thinness and sagging can contribute to dark circles and puffiness.
- Dark Circles: By stimulating collagen production, polynucleotides help to thicken the skin under the eyes, making it more resilient to the underlying blood vessels. This can help reduce the appearance of dark shadows that often form due to the transparency of the skin in this area.
- Puffiness: Polynucleotides also help improve the skin’s structure and tone, which can support better lymphatic drainage. By enhancing the skin’s elasticity and firmness, it reduces the appearance of puffiness or bags that can form from fluid retention or weakened skin.
What to Expect with Polynucleotide Treatment
Polynucleotide treatment is administered through a series of micro-injections into the under-eye area. While the procedure is minimally invasive, it may cause slight discomfort, but numbing cream is applied beforehand to minimise any pain. After the procedure, there might be some redness, swelling, or mild bruising, but these side effects typically resolve within a few days. Optimal results are seen after2–3 sessionsspaced 4–6 weeks apart.
What is PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin)?
PRF is a natural treatment that uses your own blood to rejuvenate the skin. Unlike traditional PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), PRF uses a more advanced technique to concentrate the platelets and growth factors present in your blood. These components helpregenerate tissue,stimulate collagen production, andimprove skin texture. PRF treatment is an ideal option for improving skin quality, reducing fine lines, and treating undereye concerns.
How Does PRF Work for Undereye Darkness and Puffiness?
PRF has unique regenerative properties due to the concentration ofplatelets,growth factors, andfibrinthat are derived from your own blood. The treatment involves extracting a small amount of blood, processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the healing components, and then injecting it back into the skin.
- Dark Circles: The growth factors in PRF stimulate collagen production and enhance skin elasticity, which can improve the appearance of dark circles. By promoting thicker, more resilient skin, PRF can reduce the visibility of blood vessels that contribute to dark under-eye shadows.
- Puffiness: PRF improves skin texture and tone, which can support better fluid drainage and reduce the appearance of puffiness. Additionally, PRF’s regenerative properties help restore volume loss, reducing the sagging that contributes to bags under the eyes.
What to Expect with PRF Treatment
PRF is minimally invasive and the procedure is performed in clinic. After the blood is drawn, it is processed to concentrate the PRF, which is then injected (or also can be administered by microneedling) into and around the under-eye area. Numbing cream can be applied to ensure comfort in clinic.As with polynucleotides, there may be slight swelling, redness, or bruising following the treatment, but these effects are typically mild and resolve within a few days.Results can take a few weeks to fully manifest, as the skin regenerates over time. You may need2–3 sessionsfor optimal results, with treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
Polynucleotides vs. PRF: Which is Right for You?
Both polynucleotides and PRF are excellent treatments for rejuvenating the under-eye area, but each has its unique strengths:
- Polynucleotides suit you if you’re looking for collagen stimulation and skin regeneration to improve skin quality and elasticity. It’s a great choice for those with thin skin under the eyes, fine lines, and moderate dark circles or puffiness.
- PRF suits those who want a natural solution with the healing benefits of growth factors from their own blood. It is especially effective for improving skin texture and volume loss around the eyes, making it ideal for treating both dark circles and puffiness caused by fluid retention.
In some cases, a combination of both treatments can be used to achieve optimal results. Your aesthetic provider can recommend the best approach based on your unique needs and concerns.
Conclusion: Revitalise Your Under-Eye Area with Polynucleotides or PRF
Undereye darkness and puffiness are common concerns that can make you look tired and older than you feel. With the help of advanced treatments like polynucleotides and PRF, you can rejuvenate the delicate skin around your eyes and restore a fresh, rested appearance. Both treatments work by promoting collagen production, improving skin texture, and stimulating natural healing processes, offering long-lasting benefits. If you’re looking for a safe, effective, and minimally invasive way to address undereye issues, consider booking in for a consultation with Dr Rakib about polynucleotides or PRF. With the right treatment plan, you’ll soon see a noticeable improvement in the appearance of your under-eye area.
