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PRF vs PRP: A Comprehensive Comparison for Better Understanding

  • 6 min read

Guide:

What is PRF?

PRF is a newer and easier way to use your body’s healing powers to look and feel your best. 

What is PRF, and why is there so much buzz around it lately? Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is a beauty booster and wound healer made from the platelets in your blood. Using your body’s natural healing power, it can fight wrinkles, under-eye circles, and even hair loss.

Here’s the science behind the magic: PRF gets injected into your skin, triggering your body to make more collagen. Collagen is that powerful protein in our bodies that keeps our skin plump, firm, and youthful. 

According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, PRF is gaining popularity because it’s a next-level, longer-lasting version of earlier wound healing treatments. Scientists are still figuring out exactly how it works best, but it seems to help wounds heal faster and better. 

As research continues and it becomes more popular in aesthetics, PRF is fast becoming a game changer for supercharging healing and results when combined with other treatments such as microneedling.

Fibrin is a protein crucial for hemostasis, a mechanism responsible for blood clotting. According to an article in the National Library of Medicine, some of its key benefits include:

  • Helps to seal wounds and stop you from bleeding after injury
  • Sends out signals to your body to start healing the wound
  • Confines bacteria and helps to keep them from spreading into an infection
  • Used as a medical glue to help hold tissues together after surgery, or as a scaffold to help new tissue grow

What is PRP?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), which has been around a little longer than PRF, is a similar treatment that uses a concentrated dose of platelets (AKA liquid gold) from your own blood to speed up healing anything from arthritis pains to wounds, restore hair, and more.

Picture your blood as a busy city, plasma is like the main river running through it, carrying the important stuff around. It’s mostly water, but also consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Platelets rush to seal up cuts and scrapes to stop you from bleeding, according to the  Cleveland Clinic. They also carry special healing messengers that help your body mend after an injury. The idea is that by giving your body a boost of these natural healing signals it can repair itself faster and get you back to feeling your best quicker.

PRF vs PRP: What’s the Difference?

PRP and PRF are like relatives in the world of healing treatments, both using your blood to fight anything from wrinkles to injuries, but with different twists. PRP spins blood to separate red blood cells from healing-rich plasma. PRF spins whole blood gently, creating a fibrin web with the platelets.

Think of PRP as the older generation of PRF. It’s produced by spinning your blood to separate the healing platelets but requires some extra ingredients to work its magic. PRF, the newer treatment, is like a simpler, more natural version. It skips the extra step and uses a gentler method to get the platelets. PRF releases its healing factors more slowly, which some experts say might be even better for your body.

The best choice depends on what you’re treating and how you want the healing factors released. Schedule a consultation with the aesthetic professionals at HerSpace MedSpa to discover which healer from your blood is the most suitable for your needs.

Advantages of PRF:

  • The process is quick and easy and minimizes unnecessary handling of your blood.
  • Unlike some other treatments, PRF doesn’t use any animal products. It skips the middleman and lets your body work its magic.
  • PRF releases growth factors over a longer period, giving your body an enduring boost for healing.
  • PRF is flexible and can adjust to the different areas you’re treating.
  • PRF is a more affordable way of harnessing your body’s healing power than other options. 

Advantages of PRP:

  • Since PRP doesn’t include red blood cells, it packs more platelets for hair growth, potentially making it stronger than PRF.
  • PRP has been used in regenerative medicine for longer, so there is currently more research to back up its effectiveness for wound healing and injury relief than PRF.

PRP vs PRF for Hair Loss

Hair loss is a popular concern that leads people to consider these natural therapies but it can be confusing when choosing PRP vs PRF for hair. Both PRP and PRF are powerful injections made from your blood to fight hair loss, but each has its unique benefits:

PRP – This OG hair loss solution is a concentrated shot of platelets that trigger new hair growth in your scalp.

PRF – This newer therapy is all about support. It has platelets for growth factors and a fibrin matrix, creating a friendly environment for hair follicles to sprout new hair.

Am I a Better Candidate for PRP or PRF?

PRF or PRP are great options for anyone looking to awaken their body’s natural healing process without surgery. They are useful for facial rejuvenation, hair restoration, and chronic wounds. If you have blood-clotting issues or problems with bleeding or take certain blood-thinning medications, however, these treatments might not be right for you.

PRF is sometimes called a “natural filler” because of its ability to restore volume, so it may be a better treatment option than PRP if you’re concerned with deep wrinkles, hollows, and other aging signs.

PRP is a more effective option if you are looking to improve dark spots, uneven skin tone, or acne scars. It can also be used for sports injury healing and joint pain relief for conditions such as osteoarthritis. 
Before choosing between PRF and PRP, consult a qualified professional with rich knowledge of these natural healing therapies. They can assess your situation and medical history to ensure it’s a safe and effective approach for your needs. Request an appointment with one of our experienced aesthetic professionals at HerSpace MedSpa to discover if PRF or PRP is right for you.