I Tried PRP for Dark Under-Eye Circles—Here Are My Thoughts (2024)

Dark under-eye circles can be a real bummer. While they're usually the telltale sign of burning the midnight oil, sometimes a good night's sleep isn't the right treatment. Genetics and/or skin tone could be the real culprits in this case. Potent creams and brightening superstars like niacinamide may help somewhat, but like most cosmetic solutions, they don't fully reduce the appearance of dark under eyes.

If you’ve had dark under-eye circles since childhood, you’ve probably tried a lot of different things to get rid of them. Heaven knows I have. Wearing makeup has been part of my daily routine, but I’ve grown to love going bare-faced and only wear makeup about once a week. And yet, no matter how accepting I’ve become of my unmade face, I can’t get past my dark under-eye circles. So I decided to finally go big– which for me meant going to a professional. When I called my local cosmetic dermatologist for under-eye circle lightening, I was open to lasers, prescription creams, or fillers. Those were the three solutions I’d read about, and I wasn’t sure which I was a better match for. Instead, they suggested "PRP," and explained it was safer than fillers, more effective than lasers, and less expensive than either. My response was an enthusiastic "Yes!"

Read on for my full review of PRP for under-eyes and learn what dermatologists, Tracy Evans and Howard Sobel, had to say about the treatment.

What Is PRP?

"PRP or platelet-rich plasma is the portion of a patient's blood that contains the growth factors that can trigger cell reproduction and tissue regeneration," explains Dr. Evans.The plasma has been used as an injectable for injury recovery in parts of the body such as tendons, ligaments, and joints. More recently, it’s become a concept many in the aesthetics and beauty industries are familiar with for its usage as a "vampire facial," where PRP is injected all over your face and results in overall plumping and wrinkle reduction. But PRP injections can also have a more targeted approach. "They can be injected under the eyes instead of filler to improve the under-eye appearance," says Dr. Evans.

"It can be applied on the skin using microneedling or injected under the eyes with a needle or cannula," adds Dr. Sobel. "The PRP stimulates the growth of collagen and elastin created by the effects of growth factors and cytokines found in the plasma."

Benefits of PRP Under-Eye Treatment

"It's effective for treating dark circles under the eyes, puffy under eyes, crepey skin, and increases blood flow," notes Dr. Sobel.The premise behind PRP is that the platelets in your blood have regenerative and healing properties. The plasma incites your body to produce more collagen and has anti-inflammatory properties. As far as under-eye circles go, the idea is that the platelet-rich plasma will trigger the under-eye area to create more collagen and blood vessels and thicken the skin there. In turn, you not only have new skin with a healthier structure but there will also be more flesh in between the blood vessels under your eyes and the skin of your face. Both of those things help to reduce the appearance of under-eye circles.

However, it's important to note that both dermatologists agree that the effects may be limited. "They can be helpful but may not be enough to cover the blood vessels that are the root cause of dark circles," says Dr. Evans."Under eye filler may prove to be better in this case." Dr. Sobel also highlights the need for fillers to meet certain expectations. "It’snot for treating the hollows under the eyes that is reserved for fillers."

How to Prepare for a PRP Under-Eye Treatment

First and foremost, PRP treatments require blood to be drawn for each session. According to Dr. Sobel, this can require up to three to four vials depending on the severity of the issue. "Drink lots of water!" advises Dr. Evans. "If you are hydrated before your blood draw it is easier to obtain a good sample." Blood thinners must be avoided before the procedure, as well as aspirin, Advil, and Motrin. Taking certain supplements such as multivitamins, vitamin E, vitamin A, fish oil, flax seed oil, and turmeric must also be stopped 10 days prior. Alcohol and smoking can also be added to the list. "Stop using exfoliating or brightening ingredients like retinol and vitamin C a week prior to your appointment," adds Dr. Sobel.

What to Expect During a PRP Under-Eye Treatment

To get the plasma for my under-eye injections, I needed a single vial of blood drawn. Then, that blood was taken into a different area and spun in a centrifuge. The centrifuge concentrates the platelets, and the resulting liquid is a golden color. The plasma color surprised me, as I anticipated that it would still look like blood, but the color we know as "blood red" is removed once the red blood cells are spun out. The plasma is then injected in about half a dozen different spots under each eye, which the practitioner massages gently into your skin as they go.

To perform PRP for the first time for my under-eye circles, an assistant took my blood and numbed me with a topical cream, which was left to sit on for about thirty minutes. Then the practitioner performed the injections. Though I wouldn’t call it downright painful thanks to the numbing cream, I also wouldn’t call it a fun experience. Luckily it was over quickly, and I went on my way. There was a tiny bruise under one eye from one of the injections, but it was barely noticeable. There were also numerous needle marks, which appeared as little red dots that flaked off after a few days.

Potential Side Effects

Because PRP is composed of your blood and not something foreign, the risk factor for injecting it into your face may be significantly less than with fillers, which were previously the standard option for under-eye circles. "Bruising can occur and last up to a week before going away," says Dr. Sobel. "You may experience temporary puffiness, but this resolves quickly." In addition to bruising and swelling, Dr. Evans notes underwhelming outcomes as a potential side effect. "If you do not like getting your blood drawn or do not like injections this treatment is not for you," she continues."Anyone on medicines that thin their blood and make them more susceptible to bruising should consult their physical before attempting the procedure."

In a worst-case scenario, fillers gone wrong in your eye area can cause blindness. Filler-related blindness is not frequent, but it’s happened hundreds of times at least. While this is possible with PRP, as it is with any injections near the eye, it seems to be even less likely than with fillers. And, while fillers can create distance between your blood vessels and your skin, they don’t actually lighten anything; that means that when they dissolve, you’re likely left right back where you started.

The Results

I quickly discovered that while it takes up to a month for PRP to work, and three to four appointments are needed to get the full effect, you may see immediate results that are downright astonishing. As someone with structural hollows around their eyes, the PRP treatment made me look the best I ever have. That effect made me understand immediately why people get fillers there. Following my first appointment, the circles under my eyes were completely eradicated...temporarily.

After a few days, when my body had absorbed the PRP, the lightening effect became much more subtle. The circles were a touch lighter than prior, but not a lot. However, I continued to see improvement throughout the month (as the practitioner told me would happen). At no point in the month did the circles under my eyes return to anywhere near as intense as they had been prior.

I recently went back for my second appointment, where the same process was repeated. Even though an entire vial of blood is more than what’s needed for the injections, they don’t store it in between. While it’s a shame to have to get new blood taken each time when there is leftover plasma from the time prior, it’s reasonable that a derm doesn’t function as a blood bank. The needles in my face the second time felt less jarring than the first, presumably because I was prepared for the sensations from the previous experience.

The Cost

Targeted PRP injections can range from $800 to $2500 depending on the location, injector experience, and size of the area receiving treatment. "Most people will need a series of injections about 4 weeks apart," adds Dr. Sobel. After four sessions of PRP, the results are claimed to last up to two years. If you get it done once annually, that is purported to be sufficient to keep the effects indefinitely.

Aftercare

Cool compresses will be your best friend post-treatment. "Use a cool compress gently on the area to alleviate discomfort and to help with swelling," advises Dr. Sobel. "Ask your doctor to give you something to take home that easily contours to the area and is used post-injection." Dr. Evans is also a big fan of following up with ice and lots of relaxation after the procedure. "Make sure you don’t exercise or exert yourself the following 3-4 days following treatment to allow for a speedy recovery and to avoid inflammation in the area," adds Dr. Sobel. "And do not tug or rub the area; gently wash with a creamy, lotion-type cleanser that can be tissued off."

Final Takeaway

Ultimately, PRP functions to lighten the dark under-eye circles quickly, and because it’s made of your blood, it's extremely safe. It also costs a fraction of what you’d pay for the alternatives, and it may last longer.

Though I’m not yet at a place where I feel comfortable going without cover-up under my eyes (which is my ultimate goal), I only use a third of the quantity I did before my first injection. For the month after the first appointment, I still felt self-conscious if I left the house without concealer, but the results were sufficient enough that I did so anyway several times. Now, with the second appointment visibly furthering the process along, I imagine I’ll save under-eye concealer for the occasions when I bother wearing makeup like eyeliner and mascara or lipstick for fun’s sake rather than in a fix-it capacity. I’m perfectly content to go back a couple more times for treatment and to stop by annually to prevent my eyes from looking like they did before my first appointment.