PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
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PRP vs Filler for Under Eyes
Filler is the established treatment for a hollow under the eye. A hyaluronic acid gel fills the groove, the shadow softens, and you see it the same day. PRP is aimed at skin quality rather than volume. It uses your own blood to nudge the skin to look thicker and smoother over a course of visits, and the evidence for it under the eyes is thinner. If you can press the hollow and feel a dip, filler is the treatment that addresses it.
At a glance
| The difference | PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) | Under-eye filler |
|---|---|---|
| What is in the syringe | Your own plasma | Hyaluronic acid gel |
| What it actually treats | Skin quality | The hollow itself |
| When you see the result | Two to three months | The same day, settling for two weeks |
| Cost | Priced per session, and you need a few | Priced per syringe |
Under-eye filler
Hyaluronic acid gel A soft, thin filler gel. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar your skin already makes.
Side by side
The differences that matter
What is in the syringe
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Your own plasma
Blood is drawn from your arm and spun to separate the platelet-rich part. That part is injected back.
Under-eye filler
Hyaluronic acid gel
A soft, thin filler gel. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar your skin already makes.
What it actually treats
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Skin quality
Thin, crepey skin and fine lines under the eye. It can make the skin look less see-through.
Under-eye filler
The hollow itself
A true groove between the lower lid and the cheek. Filling it removes the shadow that reads as a dark circle.
What it will not do
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
It will not fill a hollow
PRP adds no volume. A deep tear trough stays a deep tear trough.
Under-eye filler
It will not fix pigment
If the darkness is brown skin colour rather than shadow, filler will not lighten it.
When you see the result
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Two to three months
Nothing on the day. The change is gradual and often subtle.
Under-eye filler
The same day, settling for two weeks
Swelling is common in this area and can look worse before it looks right.
How many visits
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Usually three
Spaced four to six weeks apart, then a top-up once or twice a year.
Under-eye filler
Usually one
Sometimes a small second appointment a few weeks later to even it out.
How long it lasts
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Six to twelve months
Under-eye filler
One to two years, sometimes longer
Can it be undone
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
No, but it fades
There is nothing to remove. It wears off.
Under-eye filler
Yes
Hyaluronidase dissolves it in a day or two. That is a real advantage in an area this fussy.
Side effects to expect
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Bruising and swelling
This skin bruises easily. Expect a few days of it.
Under-eye filler
Bruising, swelling, puffiness
Lumps, a bluish tinge and lasting puffiness are the specific complaints in this area.
Cost
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Priced per session, and you need a few
Ask for the price of the course, not one visit.
Under-eye filler
Priced per syringe
Often half a syringe per side. Usually one bill.
The at-home or drugstore version
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
There is not one
Nothing you can buy takes your own platelets and places them inside the skin. Eye creams work on the surface.
Under-eye filler
There is not one
No cream fills a groove several millimetres deep. A caffeine eye cream can reduce puffiness for a few hours, which is a different problem.
Who each suits
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
- Best for — Thin, crepey under-eye skin with no real hollow.
- The mindset — You want subtle, gradual improvement and no foreign material.
Under-eye filler
- Best for — A visible groove and the shadow it casts.
- The mindset — You want the change now, and you want it reversible.
Before you book
More photographs
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Common questions
Questions Patients Ask
Is PRP or filler better for under-eye dark circles?
It depends on the cause. If the darkness is shadow cast by a hollow, filler is the treatment that addresses it. If the skin is thin and crepey with no real hollow, PRP is the more sensible choice.
Does PRP fill under-eye hollows?
No. PRP adds no volume. It aims at the quality of the skin, so a deep groove stays a groove.
How long does under-eye filler last?
Often one to two years, sometimes longer. The area barely moves, which is why filler placed here outlasts filler almost anywhere else.
Can under-eye filler be dissolved?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler is dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, usually within a day or two. That matters here, because this is the fussiest area on the face.
Why do some people get puffy after under-eye filler?
Hyaluronic acid draws water in, and the skin here is very thin. Too much product, or product placed too shallow, can hold fluid and look puffy for months.
How many PRP sessions do I need under the eyes?
Usually three, spaced four to six weeks apart, then a top-up once or twice a year. Nothing changes on the day of treatment.