Skin science · 5 min read
PRP or PRF? Which One, for What, and Why It Depends on the Site
They come from the same tube of your blood and behave differently once injected. Neither is better. Each is better for something.
Patients increasingly arrive asking for PRF by name, usually because a clinic or an influencer has described it as the upgraded version of PRP. It is not an upgrade. It is a different preparation with different properties, and the right choice depends on where it is going and what you want it to do.
How each is made
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is blood drawn into a tube containing anticoagulant and spun at relatively high speed. The spin separates a platelet-rich liquid layer, which is drawn off and injected. It stays liquid, the platelet concentration is high, and the growth factors are released quickly, largely within the first day.
PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) is blood drawn without anticoagulant and spun more slowly for a shorter time. Because nothing stops clotting, a fibrin scaffold forms that traps platelets, white blood cells and a small population of stem cells. Injected while still liquid, it gels within minutes in the tissue and releases growth factors gradually over several days.
The practical differences follow from that. PRF is thicker, contains more cellular material, releases more slowly, and produces a small amount of temporary volume as the gel sits in the tissue. PRP is thinner, spreads more easily, and delivers a sharper, shorter burst.
Which is better where
| Site | Usual choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under-eyes | PRF, sometimes PRF + HA | Slow release suits thin, delicate skin; brief gel volume softens a shallow hollow without filler |
| Scalp (hair thinning) | PRP | Liquid spreads across a large area; strongest evidence base is for PRP protocols |
| Full-face skin quality | Either; PRP with microneedling | PRP is easier to apply topically over needled skin; PRF for injected depots |
| Acne scars | PRP with microneedling or Morpheus8 | Improves healing and collagen response of the device treatment |
| Nasolabial and marionette lines | PRF, or PRF blended with HA | Some gel volume plus regenerative effect; not a substitute for structural filler |
| Joints and tendons | PRP or PRF depending on target | Protocol chosen by the condition being treated |
What the evidence supports
The largest body of evidence for platelet therapies in aesthetics is for PRP in androgenetic hair loss, where randomised trials consistently show increased hair density and thickness versus placebo. For skin rejuvenation, both PRP and PRF have controlled studies showing improved texture and elasticity, with PRF showing a modest edge in some small comparisons for under-eye and periorbital skin. Direct head-to-head trials are few and small, so any clinic telling you one is definitively superior is ahead of the data.
What is well established is that preparation matters: platelet concentration, spin protocol, and whether the sample was handled correctly all affect the result. A physician who prepares the sample in front of you and can explain the protocol is worth more than the label on the tube.
What neither does
Neither PRP nor PRF adds meaningful, lasting volume. A deep tear trough, a flat cheek or a receding chin needs structural support, which means hyaluronic acid filler or a biostimulator. Neither regrows hair on a scalp where the follicles are gone. Neither replaces sunscreen, a retinoid or, in hair loss, minoxidil and oral therapy. They are excellent adjuncts and poor substitutes.
How the choice is made at this clinic
Dr. Mazzuca offers both and decides by site and goal, not by what is fashionable. Under-eyes with thin skin and a shallow hollow: PRF, often blended with a small amount of HA. Scalp: PRP, alongside medical therapy, after bloodwork has ruled out a treatable cause. Face with texture and dullness: PRP combined with microneedling. If the honest answer is that a different treatment will serve you better, that is the recommendation, and the consultation is where it is made.
Common questions
What is the difference between PRP and PRF?
PRP is spun fast with anticoagulant, stays liquid and releases growth factors quickly. PRF is spun slowly without anticoagulant, forms a fibrin gel that traps platelets, white cells and stem cells, and releases growth factors gradually over several days.
Is PRF better than PRP?
Neither is better overall. PRF is often preferred for under-eyes and delicate facial skin because of its slow release and brief gel volume. PRP is preferred for scalp injection and has the strongest evidence base for hair loss.
Which is better for under the eyes, PRP or PRF?
PRF is usually chosen for under-eyes, sometimes blended with a small amount of hyaluronic acid, because the slow release suits thin skin and the gel briefly softens a shallow hollow without filler.
Which is better for hair loss, PRP or PRF?
PRP, in most cases. It spreads across the scalp more easily and the randomised trial evidence for hair density and thickness is largely for PRP protocols. It works best alongside minoxidil or oral therapy.
Does PRP or PRF replace filler?
No. Neither adds meaningful lasting volume. Deep hollows and structural loss need hyaluronic acid filler or a biostimulator; PRP and PRF improve skin quality and can be combined with them.
Dr. Mazzuca is a licensed physician practising medical aesthetics in Markham, Ontario, with additional training in cosmetic medicine, facial anatomy, women's health, and longevity medicine. Every treatment at the clinic is performed by her personally. Her registration can be verified through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Monique Mazzuca, MD, CCFP. Published September 12, 2026.
This article is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for an in-person assessment. Results vary between patients, and every treatment carries risks that are reviewed with you before you consent. Suitability is determined by Dr. Mazzuca at your consultation.
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