Medically reviewed by David Nazarian, MD — Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Director of PRP Treatment Beverly Hills.
Swelling after PRP under-eye treatment is common and is usually related to injection trauma, local inflammation, and temporary fluid accumulation in the thin periorbital tissues.
If you’re experiencing swelling after PRP injection under the eyes, there are a couple of reasons why that may be the case and some after-care tips to consider.
Swollen eyes are the most common side effect of this treatment session. PRP treatment is a bio-stimulator and not a filler. So, the higher the concentration of platelets in the injection, the more swollen your under-eyes will be. This reaction should resolve within a week with the help of after-care solutions.
Here’s what you need to know about swelling after PRP injection under the eyes, how to deal with it, and suggestions for proceeding once the initial swelling has settled down.
What Causes Swelling Under Eyes After PRP Injections?
Swelling under the eyes after PRP can occur because the periorbital tissues are thin and prone to edema after injections. The degree of swelling varies with injection technique, volume, individual anatomy, and inflammatory response; it is not simply caused by whether numbing was used.
Temporary tenderness and swelling can occur after needle placement. Because PRP is autologous, allergic reactions to the platelet product itself are uncommon, although reactions to antiseptics, anesthetics, or other materials used during a procedure can occur.
The chemicals include an activating stimulus (typically a soluble agonist), a plasma protein (predominantly fibrinogen), or a platelet surface receptor (integrin αIIbβ3 or GPIIb-IIIa).
How to Manage Swelling Under Eyes After PRP Injections
It is common to experience some swelling after a PRP injection under the eye. Swelling will generally subside within a few days, but you can take steps to reduce or manage it. Follow these tips for reducing swelling after a PRP injection under the eye.
- Keep your head elevated as often as possible.
- Apply cold compresses to your eyes for 20 minutes every 2 hours.
- Gently massage around the eye area with your ring fingers
- Get plenty of rest and avoid excess sun exposure.
- If you have pain, inflammation, and swelling, take over-the-counter pain medications if required.
When to Seek Help
Mild to moderate swelling after PRP injection under the eyes is nothing exceptional, and it can sometimes last for days or a week. The good news is that this will likely go away within a few days to a week.
However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, call your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:
- Severe swelling in your face and under your eyes that does not go away even after a week of the treatment
- Acute pain in your under eye area that does not go away even after taking OTC painkillers
- If you notice bruises or any unexpected bleeding
- Contact your doctor immediately if you experience excessive redness or itching in that region.
Call your doctor or seek medical attention if you notice these symptoms.
How Does PRP Help Under Eye Skin?
PRP is a naturally occurring protein that helps the body to heal itself. You can use it for many different purposes, including facial skin treatment. When applied to under-eye skin, it has been shown to help with puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.
The process involves drawing a blood sample from your body, where the platelets are harvested. These platelets are then injected into your under-eye area, where they will help regenerate tissue.
- PRP from $800 per session
- PRF from $1,100 per session
- Discounted 3-session packages on every treatment
- See the full PRP and PRF price list
- 4 tubes of blood drawn per session, more than many clinics use; 10 to 15 cc of PRP obtained
- 4-ingredient numbing cream
- 6-needle injector used for hair treatments
- Providing PRP therapy since 2008
PRP Injections Under Eyes Side Effects
PRP injections under the eyes can treat wrinkles and fine lines, but they are not without side effects.
Swelling after PRP injection under the eyes is usually edema caused by local inflammation and fluid movement within the tissues after injection. It should not be explained as injected plasma needing to ‘set’ in the skin.
Other side effects include redness, rashes, inflammation, and mild pain under the eyes. The side effects may last for up to 2 weeks after the injection. It’s important to remember that this is normal and should go away with time.
Who Should Avoid PRP Treatment For Under Eyes?
PRP under-eye treatment is autologous but not risk-free. Temporary swelling, bruising, tenderness, bleeding, infection, pigment changes, vascular injury, and other injection-related complications can occur, and candidacy should be assessed individually.
The most common reasons for avoiding PRP injections for under-eye bags are people with a history of bleeding disorders, blood clotting disorders, or allergies to any of the ingredients in the injection.
Ensure you provide every detail of your medical conditions to your doctor before treatment.
After-care of PRP treatment Under Eyes – Things to Do and Not To Do
Here are a few things listed that you should maintain post-PRP treatment of the under eyes.
- Follow the treating clinician’s aftercare instructions. Cold compresses may be recommended for comfort in the early recovery period; avoid heat unless your clinician specifically advises it.
- Apply cold compresses or ice packs to the treated area for 20 minutes every hour (or more often if needed) on the first day following treatment.
- To avoid inflammation and pain, take OTC painkillers before bedtime for the first three nights following your injection.
- Avoid direct sun exposure after your procedure- wear sunglass when stepping out.
- Continue your regular skincare routine as usual but try to avoid rubbing harsh products such as exfoliants or retinol products into your skin until you see how your skin reacts post-procedure.
- Keep the under-eye area hydrated with neutral moisturizers or oils.
How Long Does Swelling Last After PRP Under Eyes?
Swelling commonly improves over several days, but the amount and duration vary by injection volume, technique, anatomy, and individual response. Persistent, severe, worsening, or one-sided swelling should be medically evaluated.
The lesser your age, the longer it will last. Also, sleeping well, sun protection, and properly hydrating the under eyes will retain the effects of PRP for a long time.
However, remember that PRP treatment is not a permanent solution to your under eyes issues. But it works long enough compared to other non-invasive treatments for under eyes such as microneedling or laser.
For physician-supervised treatment details, risks, candidacy, and pricing, see our PRP under-eye treatment page. Swelling often improves over several days, although recovery varies and persistent or worsening symptoms should be medically reviewed.
How Many Sessions of PRP for Under Eye is Required?
The number of sessions required for this procedure will vary depending on how your body responds to the injections, but most people can see some results after a single session.
Usually, to obtain the best results for a long time, your doctor will recommend 2-3 sessions max, at the interval of two months between each session.
FAQs
How long does swelling last after PRP injection?
The main side effect of the treatment is swelling, which should go away within a couple of days post-treatment. The swelling lasts 24 hours to a week, depending on your treatment’s intensity.
What are some PRP injections under eye side effects?
Some common side effects from PRP treatment under the eyes are swelling, redness, itching, and inflammation. If these side effects are out of control or last more than a week, you should seek help from your doctor as soon as possible.
Does PRP work under the eyes?
Yes, PRP treats under-eye issues like dark circles, wrinkles, etc., in that region. Because the treatment uses your blood, it is one of the safest minimally invasive cosmetic treatments making all your money worth it.
Conclusion
Although many people have had PRP injections, also known as platelet-rich plasma injections, few know about the healing process and side effects that can occur after one of these procedures.
The most important thing to remember is that swelling after a PRP injection under the eyes is common and will disappear. If you follow these tips, it should be gone in a few days. Be sure to keep your eye area clean and moisturized throughout this time.
To improve your under-eye look, call us or text us today.
