We recently interviewed Dr. Anthony P. Sclafani, M.D., F.A.C.S., Surgeon Director, Director of Facial Plastic Surgery, The New York Eye & Ear Infirmary; Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, New York Medical College regarding a new cosmetic filler called
Selphyl.
Dr. Sclafani, you are considered to be the expert in administering this new technology and are a pioneer in using this new restorative treatment. Could you briefly describe what Selphyl is?
Selphyl is the system we use to produce a platelet – rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) from a patient’s own blood. Selphyl is the only system which has been shown to produce a bioactive PRFM which can produce visible improvements in facial lines and wrinkles. The process is rather simple- a small tube of blood is drawn in the same way your general doctor’s office would do for run basic blood tests. This is then separated into its basic elements so that the platelets and the plasma can be harvested. This is then injected into and below the skin to stimulate the body to produce new collagen. Selphyl PRFM can be used in a number of ways, including treatment of superficial wrinkles, deeper folds or even areas of facial volume depletion.
What, in your professional opinion is the primary advantage/s of Selphyl over fillers such as hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxyapatite?
Very simple: it’s all natural. Within 1-2 weeks, there is an excellent improvement, and there is absolutely no foreign material in the skin. The treated skin is still the patient’s skin, except better and more youthful. There is no concern over possible reactions to any foreign body.
Could you explain how PRFM stimulates regeneration of cells?
PRFM, when injected, mimics the body’s natural wound healing response. Imagine, if you would, a simple cut. As we remember from high school biology, platelets for a clot to stop bleeding. They do this in combination with a blood protein know as fibrin, which forms a 3-dimensional matrix to which the platelets attach. However, stopping bleeding is only part of the wound healing story: if a cut exists, tissue has been damaged and needs to be repaired. Platelets are the “captain” of the body’s team for wound healing and contain proteins which signal other cells such as fibroblasts to come to the area and repair the wound, primarily by producing new collagen. By administering PRFM to areas of volume depletions, wrinkles and folds, we are able to signal the body’s own natural processes to produce new collagen— it’s almost as if we are “tricking” the body into “healing the wrinkle.”
How long can one expect Selphyl to last?
This is still an evolving answer. I have been using Selphyl PRFM since early 2008. I have had some patients return for additional injections, but it is unclear if this is because the effect of Selphyl is diminished over time or because these patients continue to age and are simply two years older. Certainly, from our laboratory studies, we see very stable appearing collagen in the deeper layers of the skin 3 months after treatment. In general, most patients can expect 12-18 months longevity, and some will have even longer effects.
Are there any disadvantages?
Selphyl PRFM does have some limitations. It does require a small amount of blood to be drawn, so perhaps It is not for the very squeamish; however, the treatment is quite easy, and most patients find the discomfort substantially less than with Botox treatments. There is a mild amount of swelling for the first 3-6 hours after treatment. There is some mild “deflation” over the first 1-2 weeks, but beyond this the effects are quite stable. Many patients will need more than one treatment, generally 3-4 weeks apart. Selphyl PRFM does not give the immediate effect of Juvéderm or Restylane; however, patients can rightly say, “It’s all mine” and not be concerned about any foreign material in their skin.
Who is the ideal patient/client for Selphyl?
I think that Selphyl PRFM represents a great option for many patients who are interested in subtle and natural correction of skin aging. In particular, one group which has been hesitant to enter the “facial filler” arena is the young woman in her 30’s who is active, works out and cares for her body, but doesn’t want any foreign material injected into her skin. The natural approach of Selphyl PRFM is ideal for these women who are just beginning to show signs of aging, and they can use Selphyl PRFM as “preventative maintenance” to avoid “aging like Mother.”
(Note: Dr. Sclafani mentions the younger woman as a relatively new candidate for a facial filler. He provides Selphyl treatment for woman and men of all ages.)
You can read more about Selphyl on Dr. Sclafani's
website.
