. I often admire the results of beauty enhancements like Botox, but have always been concerned about how my body would react to a synthetic substance under the skin. Now there is a more natural option using your body’s own rejuvenating growth factors called PRF (platelet-rich fibrin). In aesthetics, PRF is considered the next generation of PRP (platelet-rich plasma), standardly used in orthopedic medicine for joint regeneration. To learn more, I spoke with Arek Apo, MD, medical director and founder of CAREEsthetics La Quinta who noted that the availability of these more natural options was the basis for opening his business. “We are in a new era of regenerative aesthetics where science, safety and natural beauty can prevail, and that is important to us,” states Dr. Arek as he is commonly known. With PRF, a patient’s own blood is drawn and then placed in a centrifuge to separate out the growth factors, platelets, white blood cells and fibrin, a protein that plays a role in blood clotting and wound healing. The protocol used for extracting these elements, especially the fibrin matrix, is different from PRP and key to PRF’s longer-lasting success in aesthetics, Arek explains. The result is a power-packed liquid that stimulates collagen and growth without any hyaluronic acid or synthetic chemicals. The bio-liquid injectables are used to help minimize fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and tightening, and erase acne scars. Through a special heating technique, the liquid can also be made into a fibrin gel called “EZ Gel” used as a volumizing filler in cheeks, lips, under eyes, and for facial asymmetry. “Think of EZ Gel as a dermal filler,” says Arek, “but it’s all natural, all you, and with no synthetic elements added.” While downtime is similar to traditional injectables, swelling is standardly less as the body is not reacting to synthetic material, he notes. Results are immediate, but because the material is natural, it is absorbed by the body and does not last as long as synthetic fillers. “EZ Gel fillers are not a permanent aesthetic solution,” explains Arek. “They deliver more natural looking results for 2-3 months while also stimulating collagen production which your body uses for skin laxity, so they deliver 2-for-1 benefits.” Synthetic fillers standardly last 6-18 months. Costs are slightly less than traditional dermal fillers, and Arek recommends multiple sessions for desired results, then maintenance to follow. “PRF treatments are wonderful for maintenance care because, beyond aesthetics, they deliver whole body enhancement, naturally,” concludes Arek. This newer aesthetic aid to aging adds comfort in knowing that when I am ready, there are more natural options to consider. Lauren Del Sarto is founder/publisher of Desert Health. Dr. Arek is medical director at CARE-Aesthetics La Quinta and can be reached (760) 209.5605. For more information, visit www.care-estheticslaquinta.com. www.justusskincare.com July/August 2025 www.DesertHealthNews.com Health & Beauty The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 19 www.vitarawellness.com Want to take your wellness to the next level? Dedicated to supporting you on your journey towards a healthier, happier you With professional and compassionate care, the Vitara team offers a myriad of therapies that support the body’s natural systems to help you look and feel your best. • Medical Weight Loss • Bioidentical Hormone Replacement • Vitara RCX™ Regenerative Cell Therapy • Nutritional IV Therapy • Non-invasive Body Sculpting • Peptide Therapy (760) 208.4011 73345 Highway 111 Ste. 203B Palm Desert VitaraWellness.com JEFF SMITH, D.O. Medical Director ANDY LOVATO, P.A. TAYLAR EVJE, R.N. www.cetinasalon.com Salon services using natural, artisanal ingredients without harsh chemicals Haircut and styling • Certified organic colorist • Lashes and brows Holistic facials • Special occasion makeup • Makeup and hair styling tutorials Sugar hair removal • Organic spray tanning • Skin dry brushing • Wood therapy Infrared sauna blanket for detox and inflammation Detoxing scalp and hair treatments All services are customized with herbs, oils and natural minerals curated by our team. 760.778.1374 | 354 S. Indian Canyon Drive | Palm Springs Cetinasalon.com Cetina raw natural beauty You can’t open Facebook without being assaulted by ads for crepey skin all promising to tighten, lift and restore. But before you reach for your credit card, let’s talk about what your summer body actually needs. First, a reminder: your body skin isn’t just facial skin stretched out. It’s different. It tends to be thicker in some places, thinner in others, with fewer oil glands—and it covers all of you. In fact, it’s your largest organ, tasked with shielding you from the elements, regulating temperature and retaining moisture. In the desert—or wherever summer takes you—this job gets harder. Heat, sun, chlorine and air conditioning all pull hydration from the skin. The result? That papery, crinkled look we call crepey skin. But here’s the good news: crepey is really just dry, thin skin— and when you deeply hydrate and nourish it, it can visibly “unwrinkle.” It’s like spraying a crinkled piece of tissue paper with water. So what does that take? Just the right ingredients, the right body cream or lotion and a little consistency. Think of these products like you’d think of a recipe for the perfect margarita. You don’t want to skimp on the good stuff, and when you get it right, it’s heaven. The best formulas are rich in plant oils and butters, not just water and fragrance. Look for ingredients like bacuri butter and pracaxi oil—two healing powerhouses from Brazil. Bacuri is loaded with amino acids and antioxidants to restore elasticity. Pracaxi brings behenic acid to the table, helping to regenerate and deeply nourish dry skin. There are many others that offer blessed relief, and their names should be recognizable to you. Next, check for skin-supporting ingredients like niacinamide (vitamin B3), which improves texture and barrier strength; panthenol (provitamin B5), which hydrates and soothes, and allantoin, which calms irritation and encourages healthy cell turnover. Skip formulas that rely heavily on water, waxes or mineral oils without offering real nourishment. These may give a quick slip but rarely deliver lasting results. What your skin craves is moisture plus nutrition. There’s nothing brand new that’s just been discovered that will offer salvation. The old faithfuls are still the best, despite what the beauty industry hopes you fall for. What about sunblock? If you spend time outdoors, it’s essential. But here’s the trick: apply it after your body cream. Hydrated skin holds up better in the sun, and layering a nourishing base underneath helps protect and repair. Use your body cream day and night—it preps the skin and helps everything else work better. Then follow with a simple, no-nonsense sunblock like Neutrogena. You want something that focuses on sun protection and isn’t pretending to be a moisturizer. Bottom line: you don’t have to go back to school to learn how to read a label. You can cavort in the summer without ending up looking like an old rhino by Labor Day. Just know that if a product lists a few botanicals you recognize, chances are your skin will drink it in…like the aforementioned margarita. Brook Dougherty of Indio is the co-founder of JustUs Skincare and welcomes your questions. She can be reached at (310) 266.7171 or brook@justusskincare.com. For more information, visit www.justusskincare.com. Skincare for Your Summer Body By Brook Dougherty Dr. Arek administers PRF injectables for a client in La Quinta. PRF: A Natural Option for Fine Lines and Fillers By Lauren Del Sarto
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