PRP and PRF both come from your own blood, but they are processed differently and behave differently in tissue. A physician explains the practical differences.
A patient once described PRP and PRF to me as “the same thing with a different letter,” and I understand the confusion. Both start with a small sample of your own blood. Both concentrate platelets and the growth factors they release. Both are used for hair thinning, tired under-eyes and overall skin quality.
The differences come down to chemistry and physics: what is added to the tube, how fast it spins, and how the final product behaves once it is placed in the skin. Below I’ll walk through those differences in plain language so you can have a more informed conversation at your consultation.
Platelet-rich plasma is prepared by drawing blood into a tube that contains an anticoagulant, a substance that prevents clotting. The tube is spun in a centrifuge, which separates red blood cells from plasma. The platelet-rich layer is collected and used within the visit.
Because it can’t clot in the tube, PRP stays liquid. Once it is injected or applied after microneedling, platelets activate and release growth factors fairly quickly. Think of it as a concentrated burst of signaling proteins.
Platelet-rich fibrin was first developed in oral and dental surgery. The blood is drawn into a tube without an anticoagulant and spun at a lower speed, often for a shorter time. Without an anticoagulant, the sample begins to form a fibrin network, the natural scaffolding your body builds when it heals a wound.
For injectable use, the sample is collected before that network fully sets, so it can pass through a needle. Once placed, it gels in the tissue. Proponents say this fibrin matrix traps platelets and white blood cells and releases growth factors more gradually over days rather than hours.
In practice, the distinction is less dramatic than some marketing suggests. Preparation systems vary so much that two “PRP” treatments can differ more than a well-made PRP and a well-made PRF. What matters most is the quality of the preparation and the skill of the injector.
Most of the randomized, controlled evidence for scalp treatment involves PRP. That’s why our PRP hair restoration protocol is built around it, usually as a series with maintenance sessions, and ideally alongside proven medical therapy.
The thin skin below the eyes is where the gel-like behavior of PRF is often discussed, because it may offer a subtle volumizing effect. PRP is also used here to improve texture and tone. Our under-eye PRP treatment is designed for gradual skin-quality improvement, not the immediate lift a filler provides.
Either can be paired with microneedling. For many people, the combination matters more than which concentrate is used.
Because both use your own blood, allergic reactions are uncommon, but these treatments are not for everyone. I generally advise against them, or ask for clearance first, if you have:
Expect some bruising, swelling and tenderness. Results are gradual and variable, and some people respond more than others.
Not necessarily. PRF may release growth factors more slowly, but there is no strong evidence that it produces better cosmetic results across the board. Preparation quality and technique matter a great deal.
There is a blood draw and a series of small injections. We use topical numbing and other comfort measures, and most patients tolerate it well.
Most protocols involve a series of about three treatments spaced roughly a month apart, followed by maintenance. Your provider will tailor this to your goals.
No. PRP can improve skin quality, but it does not replace lost volume the way a filler can. Some patients benefit from both.
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References: Dohan DM, Choukroun J, et al. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF): a second-generation platelet concentrate. Part I: technological concepts and evolution. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology. 2006. · Gentile P, et al. The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Stem Cells Translational Medicine. 2015. · American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss: diagnosis and treatment. AAD. aad.org
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Treatments are provided only after consultation and evaluation by a licensed provider. Individual results vary.
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