Does GFC Treatment Have Any Side Effects?

GFC stands for growth factor concentrate, and a GFC treatment is a procedure that can improve your looks and reduce hair fall. It is a step above the traditional plasma-rich protein (PRP) treatment.

However, it can cause a few side effects, such as mild pain at the injection site, erythema, edema, and bruising, which resolve within a few hours to a few days of the treatment. (1)

Experts claim that GFC does not impact the RBC and WBC counts and does not result in severe pain or inflammation.

What Is GFC Treatment for the Hair?

GFC is prepared from the patient’s blood to treat chronic hair loss (alopecia) (2) and has enormous benefits for the skin, such as improving melasma. (3)

Are There Side Effects of GFC Treatment for the Hair?

 GFC treatment is generally safe and

• The treatment is acellular (non-cellular treatment, it doesn’t involve any living material, acellular products involve protein/fats), and hence there is negligible risk of mild pain and inflammation.
• The procedure is simple and does not lead to any complications.
• PRP treatment and GFC treatment positively impact male hair growth cells without causing side effects. (2)

Why Is the Patient’s Blood Used to Prepare GFC Injectables?

Platelets are a reservoir of growth factors; medical experts and researchers use them in preparing GFC concentrates.

When injected into the scalp, GFC improves hair growth inside the layers of the skin. As a result, hair regeneration and a reduction in hair fall occur. (2)

How GFC Concentrates Are Prepared

Clinicians take 16 ml of blood from the patient and centrifuge it for 30–40 minutes to separate the growth factor and then set the table for GFC treatment. That’s how 7–8 ml of GFC injection is prepared.

Is GFC Treatment Safe, and Does It Improve Hair Growth?

GFC treatment is safe, easy, and quick. The treatment cures hair loss when the concentrate is injected into the hair roots using microinjections. Usually, you observe hair growth within 30 days of the procedure.

One study validated that PRP treatment and GFC treatment positively impact male hair patterns without leading to convulsions, and here are some conclusions drawn from the research:

• The administration of PRP and GFC significantly improves hair density, terminal hair density, anagen hairs, and telogen hairs within 6 months.
• The injection works better for male alopecia after they attain 25 years of age.
• Hair fall is reduced within 6 months of treatment.
• PRP and GFC are safe and effective treatments for androgenetic alopecia, but additional studies with frequent follow-ups are needed. (2)

GFC Treatment for Skin

For GFC treatment, blood is taken and collected into tubes. After 30 minutes, the blood releases platelet factors including VEGF, EGF, PDGF, and IGF-1. After centrifugation for 10 minutes, GFC is collected and applied to the desired skin parts.

Studies have shown that even a single injection of GFC improves the skin and reduces fine lines. It is the best alternative to PRP therapy. (3)

Benefits of GFC Therapy

There are several benefits of GFC therapy.

1. It is a noninvasive treatment

GFC therapy is a noninvasive treatment that stimulates hair growth and boosts hair follicles in the scalp by increasing the dermal papilla cells of the skin. The therapy increases cellular activity and the production of hair follicles.

2. The chances of infection are minimal

Infections may cause hair loss problems, and many patients who undergo the surgical methods may suffer from it, which can further increase the risk of complications.

But this therapy is safe and uses your own blood. The treatment does not lead to tissue damage and scarring. What’s more, the treatment does not lead to side effects on other body parts.

3. It stimulates hair growth and dramatically reduces hair fall

GFC therapy stimulates the scalp and the hair growth cycle. The treatment is known to increase the hair growth rate by 20%. It repairs damaged hair follicles, increases blood flow, and enables fast hair growth. The treatment result is you get bountiful hair and better hair volume and texture. (2)

Who Should Use GFC Therapy?

Anyone can use this therapy in the early or late stages of alopecia. The doctor will be the best judge. The treatment works equally well in females and males.

What Are the Limitations of GFC Therapy?

Each therapy has certain limitations and side effects but since GFC therapy does not involve any living material and neither any foreign material, it just involves your own blood so generally, there are no limitations after the therapy.

One limitation is that it is less effective if GFC or PRP therapy is given to patients above 60 years of age. (4)

After the treatment, you can expect mild inflammation, redness, and soreness on the scalp, which may be present for several hours due to the injection prick.

How Does GFC Treatment Differ From PRP Treatment?

GFC is an advanced platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment and it has a high concentration of growth factors above the base level, including some other unwanted cells.

The effectiveness of the GFC treatment is consistent and with very minimal and almost no side effects as compared to PRP. GFC has natural growth factors that offer consistent results without leading to any side effects.

GFC is superior in clinical outcomes when compared to PRP. (4)

Is GFC Better Than PRP?

GFC treatment is superior to PRP; scientists validate this fact, and numerous studies also support it.

General Queries Related to GFC Treatment for the Hair

Final Word

When injected into the scalp, growth factor concentrate (GFC) increases the number of platelets, stimulates hair growth, and makes your skin soft and supple.

Since the treatment is semi-invasive, it is free from membranes, exogenous reagents, and chemicals that distort the appearance of the skin or hair or cause chronic side effects.