PRP vs. PRF: What Is the Difference and Which Is Better for Your Skin?
Treatments·7 min read

PRP vs. PRF: What Is the Difference and Which Is Better for Your Skin?

Both use your own blood to rejuvenate skin and restore hair — but they work differently. Here is what you need to know.

What if the most powerful ingredient for glowing skin and fuller hair was already inside you? That is the idea behind two of the most talked-about regenerative treatments in aesthetics today: PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin). Both harness the growth factors found naturally in your own blood to stimulate collagen, accelerate healing, and restore vitality — to your skin and your scalp alike.

But while PRP and PRF share the same origin story, they are not the same treatment. They are processed differently, they behave differently in the body, and they excel in different situations. Understanding the distinction helps you make a more informed choice — and get the most out of your treatment.

What Is PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)?

PRP has been used in medicine for decades — from orthopedic surgery to wound healing — and has become a cornerstone of modern aesthetic medicine. The process begins with a small blood draw, typically from your arm. That blood is then placed in a centrifuge and spun at a high speed of around 3,000 RPM. This separates the blood into its components, concentrating the platelets and growth factors into a liquid plasma.

An anticoagulant is added during the PRP process to prevent clotting, which keeps the plasma in a fluid, injectable state. Once injected or applied to the skin, PRP releases its growth factors quickly and immediately gets to work — signaling cells to repair, regenerate, and produce new collagen.

PRP Is Best For:

  • Quick healing and post-procedure recovery
  • Early-stage hair thinning and hair restoration
  • Microneedling enhancement for skin texture and tone
  • Patients looking for faster, more immediate results

Think of PRP as an energy drink for your skin: it delivers a concentrated burst of growth factors that get to work right away, making it ideal when speed and efficiency are the priority.

What Is PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin)?

PRF is the next evolution of regenerative therapy — a more refined, biologically advanced version of PRP. Like PRP, it starts with a blood draw. But the centrifuge spins at a much lower speed, typically between 700 and 1,500 RPM, and crucially, no anticoagulant is used.

Without the anticoagulant, the blood's natural clotting proteins are preserved. This allows the platelets to become embedded in a fibrin scaffold — a three-dimensional mesh that acts like a slow-release reservoir for growth factors. Instead of releasing everything at once, PRF delivers growth factors steadily over the course of up to a week. The result is a thicker, gel-like consistency that can be injected directly into tissue, providing both biological stimulation and subtle volume.

PRF Is Best For:

  • Volume-deficient areas that need subtle plumping
  • Under-eye rejuvenation (tear troughs, dark circles, hollowing)
  • More advanced hair loss requiring sustained follicle stimulation
  • Patients seeking longer-lasting, gradual results

If PRP is the energy drink, PRF is the slow-release vitamin — steady, sustained, and designed to keep working long after your appointment is over. Its fibrin scaffold also means it integrates more naturally with surrounding tissue, making it particularly well-suited for delicate areas like the under-eye zone.

PRP vs. PRF at a Glance

Here is a quick side-by-side comparison to help clarify the key differences:

  • Centrifuge speed — PRP: ~3,000 RPM | PRF: ~700–1,500 RPM
  • Anticoagulant — PRP: Yes | PRF: No
  • Consistency — PRP: Liquid | PRF: Thick, gel-like
  • Growth factor release — PRP: Immediate | PRF: Sustained (up to 1 week)
  • Fibrin scaffold — PRP: No | PRF: Yes
  • Best for — PRP: Quick healing, microneedling, early hair loss | PRF: Volume, under-eyes, advanced hair loss

Microneedling with PRP or PRF: A Powerful Combination

One of the most popular ways to use PRP or PRF is in combination with microneedling — and for good reason. Microneedling creates thousands of tiny micro-channels in the skin's surface, which dramatically increases the absorption of whatever is applied topically. When PRP or PRF is applied during or immediately after microneedling, those growth factors penetrate deeply into the dermis, where they can do the most good.

Together, microneedling and PRP or PRF create a synergistic effect: the microneedling triggers the skin's natural wound-healing response, and the growth factors amplify and accelerate that response. The result is a more significant improvement in skin quality than either treatment could achieve alone.

What Microneedling with PRP or PRF Can Treat:

  • Fine lines and early wrinkles
  • Acne scars and post-inflammatory marks
  • Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone
  • Enlarged pores
  • Dull, tired-looking skin
  • Stretch marks

Most patients notice an improvement in skin texture and radiance within a few weeks of their first session, with continued improvement over the following months as collagen remodeling takes place. A series of treatments typically delivers the most dramatic and lasting results.

Hair Restoration: PRP vs. PRF

Both PRP and PRF have shown impressive results for hair restoration, but they tend to shine at different stages of hair loss. Understanding where you are in your hair loss journey can help determine which approach is right for you.

PRP for Hair Restoration

PRP is an excellent choice for patients experiencing early-stage hair thinning. The concentrated growth factors are injected directly into the scalp, where they stimulate dormant follicles, increase blood supply to the hair roots, and encourage the follicles to enter the active growth phase. Patients often notice a reduction in shedding first, followed by new growth over the following months.

PRF for Hair Restoration

For patients with more advanced hair loss, PRF offers a meaningful advantage. Because the fibrin scaffold releases growth factors slowly over an extended period, the follicles receive a more sustained signal to regenerate. This prolonged stimulation can be particularly beneficial when follicles have been dormant for longer and need more consistent encouragement to reactivate. PRF also contains a higher concentration of growth factors and white blood cells compared to PRP, giving it additional regenerative power.

In some cases, a combination approach — starting with PRP for an initial boost and transitioning to PRF for maintenance — may be recommended based on your individual response and goals.

Treatment Pricing

We believe that regenerative treatments should be accessible, which is why we offer transparent, straightforward pricing with built-in savings for those committing to a full series.

Skin Rejuvenation (Microneedling with PRP or PRF)

  • Single session (2 vials): $950
  • Series of 4 sessions: $2,850 (buy 3, get 1 free)

Hair Restoration

  • Single session (4 vials): $1,250

For best results, most patients benefit from a series of treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Our team will work with you to design a treatment plan that fits your goals and budget.

One Simple Pre-Treatment Tip: Stay Hydrated

There is one thing you can do before your appointment that makes a real difference: drink plenty of water. Hydration directly affects the quality of your blood draw and the concentration of platelets in your plasma. Well-hydrated patients tend to have a smoother, more comfortable blood draw and may see better treatment outcomes as a result. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water in the 24 hours leading up to your appointment, and avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine the day before.

Ready to Harness the Power of Your Own Biology?

Whether you are looking to refresh your skin, address stubborn acne scars, restore lost volume around the eyes, or reclaim a fuller head of hair, PRP and PRF offer a safe, natural, and scientifically backed path forward. Because the treatment uses your own blood, the risk of allergic reaction is virtually nonexistent — making it one of the most biocompatible options available in aesthetic medicine today.

Not sure whether PRP or PRF is right for you? That is exactly what a consultation is for. Our team will assess your skin, your goals, and your timeline to recommend the approach — or combination — that will deliver the best possible outcome for you.

Book your consultation today and take the first step toward skin and hair that looks and feels like the best version of you.