From the Guidelines
PRP gel is a cost-effective, safe, and minimally invasive technique for treating tear troughs, offering significant aesthetic correction and improvement in facial appearance, as evidenced by recent studies 1. When considering treatment options for tear troughs, both PRP gel and hyaluronic acid fillers are viable choices, each with its own advantages.
- PRP treatment involves drawing the patient's blood, processing it to concentrate platelets, and injecting the resulting plasma gel into the tear trough area, typically requiring 1-3 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
- Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Restylane, Juvederm, or Belotero, provide immediate volume restoration with results lasting 6-12 months, involving the injection of small amounts (0.5-1ml total) of filler using either a needle or cannula technique. Many practitioners now combine both treatments for optimal results, using fillers for immediate correction and PRP for long-term tissue regeneration, as supported by a recent RCT by Hersant et al., which concluded that combining PRP and HA led to a highly significant improvement in facial appearance and skin elasticity compared with PRP or HA alone 1. The procedure's success can be attributed to the fact that tear troughs result from volume loss and skin thinning; fillers physically replace lost volume while PRP stimulates natural tissue regeneration through growth factors that improve skin quality and thickness. Post-treatment care includes avoiding makeup for 24 hours, applying cold compresses to reduce swelling, and avoiding strenuous exercise for 48 hours. The most recent and highest quality study 1 suggests that PRP gel injection is a safe and effective treatment for tear troughs, with significant aesthetic correction and improvement in facial appearance, making it a recommended treatment option.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Tear Troughs
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) gel is not mentioned in the provided studies as a treatment option for tear troughs.
- Hyaluronic acid fillers are a common treatment option for tear troughs, with several studies demonstrating their safety and effectiveness 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers for Tear Troughs
- Hyaluronic acid injections can be used to address the tear trough deformity, with small quantities (0.2 to 0.4 cc) used per side 2.
- The filler is typically placed in the orbicularis oculi muscle or at the periosteum, and massaged to smooth the area 2.
- Studies have shown that hyaluronic acid fillers can provide significant improvement in the tear trough area, with results lasting up to 12 months 3, 4, 5.
- Complications are generally minor and self-limiting, with bruising, erythema, and swelling being the most common side effects 2, 3, 4, 6.
Patient Satisfaction and Safety
- Patient satisfaction with hyaluronic acid filler treatment for tear troughs is generally high, with studies reporting satisfaction rates of 75-100% 3, 6.
- The treatment is considered safe, with no major complications reported in the studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The use of a cannula device for hyaluronic acid filler injection has been shown to be safe and effective, with a low pain rating and minimal side effects 6.