What Is CGF?
CGF (Concentrated Growth Factor) is a product obtained from a person’s own blood that belongs to the family of platelet concentrates. It was first developed to support tissue healing in dentistry and surgery, and later began to be used in aesthetic treatments as well.
What sets CGF apart from PRP is the way it is prepared. The blood is processed, mostly without adding an anticoagulant, in a special centrifuge that works at variable speeds. With this method, a concentrate rich in fibrin as well as growth factors is obtained; depending on the intended use, it can be prepared in a liquid or gel consistency.
It is thought that the fibrin structure obtained holds growth factors for a period of time, contributing to their slower release. This feature forms the basis of CGF’s use for tissue healing. Its use in the aesthetic field is more recent, and studies in this area are ongoing.
Who Is It Suitable For?
- Those looking for renewal, hydration and freshness support for skin quality
- Those with fine lines around the eyes and thinned skin
- People with superficial post-acne marks
- Those who prefer a method prepared from their own blood that contains no synthetic ingredients
- People for whom a supportive treatment for hair loss is planned (with a separate protocol)
CGF is not an option on its own for marked sagging or deep wrinkles; if needed, it is considered together with other methods.
How Is the Treatment Done?
- At the consultation, your medical history, the medications you use and your skin type are assessed.
- A small amount of blood is drawn from the arm and transferred into special tubes.
- The blood is processed in a centrifuge designed specifically for CGF to obtain the concentrate.
- Meanwhile, numbing cream may be applied to the treatment area for comfort.
- The prepared concentrate is applied to the chosen areas with fine needles or a cannula.
Including the blood draw, preparation and application, the procedure usually takes 45–60 minutes. The concentrate is used shortly after it is prepared.
What to Pay Attention to Afterward
- It is recommended that you do not wear makeup or press on the area for the first 24 hours.
- Avoid saunas, steam baths, intense exercise and alcohol on the first day.
- For a few days, take care to protect yourself from the sun.
- If you need a pain reliever, ask your physician which one you can take.
- Applying light pressure to the blood draw site in the first few hours may help reduce bruising.
- At the follow-up visit, the skin’s response is assessed and the next session is planned.
Possible Side Effects and Who Should Not Have It
Redness, swelling, tenderness and bruising may appear at the injection points; a small bruise may also form where the blood was drawn. These effects usually go away within a few days. Because your own blood is used, an allergic reaction is not expected; infection is rare.
It is not performed in blood disorders and platelet function disorders, in the presence of active infection or active cancer, or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The use of blood thinners is assessed at the consultation. It is also worth knowing that there are fewer studies on CGF in the aesthetic field than on PRP.
If you have signs such as increasing pain, warmth, marked swelling or fever after the procedure, you should contact your physician.
Dr. Fulya Koç’s Approach
As one of the regenerative methods that make use of a person’s own resources, CGF is in line with Dr. Fulya Koç’s approach of supporting the skin with its own repair potential.
At the Ataşehir clinic, the choice between PRP and CGF is made by considering your skin’s needs, the target area and your expectations together. The possibilities and limits of both methods are shared openly.
In treatments like these, nutrition, sleep and general lifestyle habits are not overlooked; treating the skin and body as a whole is the basis of the approach.
Fulya Koç
Frequently asked questions
Both are prepared from the person’s own blood. CGF is obtained with a special variable-speed centrifuge technique and mostly without adding an anticoagulant; its fibrin content is higher. Which one is suitable is determined at the consultation.
A plan of 2–3 sessions is usually made; session intervals and maintenance treatments are determined according to the person’s skin type and expectations.
CGF can also be considered as a supportive treatment for hair loss. However, the cause of the hair loss should be investigated first, and the treatment should be planned accordingly.
The information on this page is general. Whether the treatment suits you, its possible risks and the results you can expect are assessed individually at your consultation. Results vary from person to person. Image is illustrative.
