PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) both use your own blood to concentrate regenerative growth factors — but PRF is the evolved version. PRF is processed without anticoagulants, creating a fibrin gel that traps approximately 10 times more growth factors plus stem cells, then releases them slowly over 7 to 14 days rather than hours. At Solace, PRF is the preferred protocol for most skin applications. Both are priced at $250 per session.
Where They Come From — The Same Source
Both PRP and PRF begin with a simple blood draw from your arm — typically 10 to 20 mL, similar to routine lab work. That blood is then placed in a centrifuge, which spins it to separate its components by density: red blood cells at the bottom, platelets and growth factors in the middle (the "buffy coat"), and plasma at the top.
The key difference is how the centrifuge is run, and whether anticoagulants are used.
PRP — The Original Protocol
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) was developed in the 1980s and has been used in orthopedics, wound healing, and cosmetics for over three decades. The PRP process spins blood at a relatively high speed in the presence of an anticoagulant — a chemical that prevents clotting during processing. The result is a liquid concentrated plasma with roughly three to five times the normal platelet count.
The anticoagulant, while necessary for PRP's liquid processing, has a significant downside: it prevents the formation of a fibrin network. Without fibrin, PRP's growth factors are released immediately and rapidly — the regenerative signal is delivered all at once and dissipates within hours. The liquid form also makes PRP ideal for injection but less versatile for topical surface application.
PRP's clinical track record spans decades, which is also its main advantage: more published research, more standardized protocols, and more provider experience with the product. For hair restoration specifically, PRP remains the most-studied option and many providers still prefer it.
PRF — The Evolution
PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) was developed in the early 2000s as a refinement of PRP. The key changes: blood is spun at a lower speed without anticoagulants. The absence of anticoagulants allows the blood to begin a natural clotting process during centrifugation, which creates a fibrin gel matrix — a three-dimensional scaffold that traps platelets, growth factors, white blood cells, and crucially, stem cells (CD34+ cells) that are not present in standard PRP.
The fibrin matrix changes the delivery dynamics entirely. Instead of a rapid burst release that dissipates in hours, PRF releases its growth factors slowly over 7 to 14 days — matching the biological timeline of natural tissue repair. This sustained delivery means the regenerative signal is active throughout the healing window, not just at the beginning of it.
Published comparisons of PRP vs. PRF consistently show that PRF contains significantly higher concentrations of PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor), TGF-beta (transforming growth factor), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1). The commonly cited estimate is approximately 10 times higher growth factor concentration compared to standard PRP, though this varies by preparation method.
The gel consistency also makes PRF injectable as a filler substitute — particularly under the eyes, where the delicate hollowing of the tear trough can be addressed with PRF injected as a soft volumizer using your own biology rather than a synthetic product.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| PRP | PRF | |
|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulant used? | Yes | No |
| Processing speed | Higher speed | Lower speed |
| Final form | Liquid plasma | Gel / fibrin matrix |
| Growth factor concentration | 3–5x baseline | ~10x higher than PRP |
| Stem cells (CD34+)? | No | Yes |
| White blood cells? | Minimal | Yes (pro-healing) |
| Release timeline | Rapid burst; hours | Slow sustained; 7–14 days |
| Injectable as volumizer? | No — liquid form | Yes — gel consistency |
| Sessions needed | 3–4 | 2–3 |
| Solace price | $250/session | $250/session |
How Both Treatments Work With Your Skin
Whether PRP or PRF, the fundamental mechanism is the same: growth factors from your own blood signal the skin to heal and regenerate. When applied topically to micro-channels created by microneedling, or injected directly into tissue, these growth factors stimulate:
- New collagen and elastin synthesis (the structural proteins that create firmness and smoothness)
- Angiogenesis — the formation of new blood vessels that improve skin circulation and color
- Fibroblast activity — the cells responsible for skin repair and tissue remodeling
- Keratinocyte proliferation — accelerated surface cell turnover for improved texture
Because the source is your own blood, there is no risk of allergic reaction, rejection, or transmission of disease. The entire treatment — blood draw, centrifuge processing, and application — takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Treatment Applications at Solace
PRP/PRF Facial (with microneedling)
The most popular application — PRP or PRF is applied topically to the skin immediately after microneedling, when the micro-channels allow direct penetration into the dermis. The growth factors enter exactly where the healing response is already activated. Results: accelerated collagen synthesis, reduced downtime, and significantly better outcomes for acne scars, fine lines, and general skin quality compared to microneedling alone.
PRF Under-Eye Treatment
PRF in its gel form can be injected into the tear trough area (under-eye hollow) as a biological volumizer. Unlike hyaluronic acid filler, PRF stimulates your own tissue regeneration rather than simply filling the space — it improves skin thickness, circulation, and the dark circle appearance caused by thin under-eye skin over time. Requires 2–3 sessions for best results, with improvement building over 6–12 weeks.
PRP Hair Restoration
PRP is injected into the scalp at the hair follicle level to stimulate dormant follicles and slow progression of hair thinning. Multiple published studies support PRP for androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) in both men and women. A series of three sessions, one month apart, is the standard protocol. PRF is also available for hair restoration and may produce superior results for some patients.
Which Should You Choose?
At Solace, PRF is the preferred protocol for facial applications and under-eye treatment — the higher growth factor concentration, sustained release, and stem cell content make it the clinically superior option for skin rejuvenation. For hair restoration, both PRP and PRF are available; Dr. Flávio reviews your individual presentation and recommends based on your degree of thinning and treatment history.
The good news: both are priced at $250 per session. Upgrading to PRF costs nothing extra — it's simply a better preparation method that Solace uses as the standard.
Miron RJ et al., "Injectable platelet rich fibrin (i-PRF): opportunities in regenerative dentistry?" Clinical Oral Investigations 2017. Also: Garg S et al., PRP vs PRF in dermatology, Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery.
PubMed — PRP in DermatologyFrequently Asked Questions
Why would anyone choose PRP over PRF?
PRP has decades of clinical research behind it, making it the most evidence-backed option for certain applications — particularly hair restoration, where PRP-specific protocols are the most published. Some providers also prefer PRP for patients where the liquid form is easier to work with or where a specific published PRP protocol is being followed. At Solace, PRF is preferred for facial and under-eye applications, while PRP remains available for hair restoration where the clinical literature specifically supports its use.
Is PRF better for under-eye treatment?
Yes — PRF is strongly preferred for under-eye applications for two reasons. First, the gel consistency of PRF allows it to be injected as a volumizer in the tear trough area, where the fibrin scaffold provides structure that liquid PRP cannot. Second, the slow sustained growth factor release over 7 to 14 days is particularly valuable in the delicate periorbital tissue, where prolonged regenerative signaling produces better improvement in skin thickness, dark circles, and hollowing. Multiple sessions of PRF under-eye treatment produce cumulative improvements in tissue quality that injectable filler cannot replicate.
How is PRP/PRF different from regular microneedling?
Microneedling alone creates micro-channels and triggers the skin's wound healing response — collagen induction and tissue remodeling. Adding PRP or PRF amplifies that response significantly by flooding the micro-channels with concentrated growth factors (PDGF, TGF-beta, VEGF, IGF-1) that directly stimulate fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and new blood vessel formation. Clinical comparisons consistently show that microneedling combined with PRP or PRF produces better outcomes for acne scars, fine lines, and skin quality than microneedling alone — with faster healing and shorter downtime as additional benefits.
Is it really safe since it comes from your own blood?
Yes — autologous treatments (using your own biological material) eliminate the primary risks associated with injectable products: allergic reaction, immune rejection, and disease transmission. There is nothing foreign entering your body with PRP or PRF. The only risks are those associated with the blood draw itself (minor bruising at the draw site) and the delivery method — topical application after microneedling, or injection into skin. Both are well-established, low-risk procedures when performed by a trained provider.
Can PRP or PRF be combined with other treatments?
Yes — and combining them with other treatments typically produces the best outcomes. PRP/PRF is most commonly combined with microneedling (the growth factors are applied topically into the micro-channels immediately after needling). It can also be combined with filler appointments (PRP/PRF alongside hyaluronic acid filler in the same session), laser treatments, and chemical peels in the same overall protocol, though typically spaced several weeks apart. At Solace, Dr. Flávio designs combination protocols based on your specific skin concerns and goals.
How many sessions are needed to see results?
Many patients notice visible improvement after a single PRF session — the skin looks more luminous and the texture feels improved within 2 to 3 weeks as the initial collagen response sets in. However, the full results from a treatment series build cumulatively. For acne scars, the standard protocol is three sessions spaced four to six weeks apart, with the most significant improvement visible three to four months after the final session (as new collagen fully matures). For under-eye PRF, two to three sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart produce the best tissue quality results. Maintenance sessions once or twice yearly preserve and extend the results.
Related Reading
PRP/PRF at Solace · Microneedling · PRP Hair Restoration · Collagen Boosting Microneedling · Exosome Facial