PRF: Platelet-Rich Fibrin

The Latest PRP Development

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is the second generation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Platelet rich fibrin application is now becoming more popular and is widely used for skin and hair regeneration treatments.

The PRF injections used to rejuvenate skin are made from your own blood and a protein matrix called fibrin. Once harvested, it becomes a gel made up of a high concentration of white blood cells, fibrin, and stem cells (growth factors).

As we age we lose volume in our face, under our eyes, in our cheeks and around our mouths. This is due to loss of collagen and elastin.

To stimulate collagen production, tighten loose skin and add volume back to the face there are non-surgical options, including dermal fillers, thread lifts, lasers and platelet rich plasma (PRP) and platelet rich fibrin (PRF).

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a new, all-natural solution that can treat common areas that show the first signs of ageing and hair loss.

PRF can be injected or used after micro-needling into the face. Popular areas include under eyes, forehead lines, crow’s feet, lip lines, laugh lines, cheeks and marionette lines. It is also injected into the scalp and eyebrows to stimulate hair growth.

What Can PRF Treatment Be Used For?

• ​Reduction of facial wrinkles and ageing skin.
• Improves dry or oily facial skin.
• Stimulates hair growth (Scalp and Eyebrows).
• Reduces skin scars caused by acne.

Advantages of PRF

• Lower infection risk.
• Accelerated healing.
• Safety and convenience

Aesthetic uses of plasma therapy

• Skin rejuvenation – lines and wrinkles, skin laxity
• Acne scarring
• Hair loss

PRF Procedure

A sample of your blood will be collected and then prepared/purified using special equipment.

The PRF serum produced can be injected or used after micro-needling into the face – under eyes, forehead lines, crow’s feet, lip lines, laugh lines, cheeks and marionette lines. It is also injected into the scalp and eyebrows to stimulate hair growth.

How is PRF Different to PRP?

The PRF products are spun at a lower speed so that the layers of the blood do not separate out as distinctly. This allows some of the white blood cells and stem cells to remain within the platelet layer that is collected for treatment. Thus, there are more healing factors within PRF than is typically seen in PRP. In addition, the lower spin speed causes less trauma to the individual cells of the blood, allowing more stem cells to remain in the final PRF product.

Key Facts

• Treatment time: 60 minutes
• Number of treatments: 3 – 6
• How often: 4 week intervals
• Downtime: none – mild redness (slight swelling for treatment around the eyes and lips)

PRF FAQ

PRP Vs PRF – What Is The Difference?

‘The science bit’

Although there are some basic similarities between platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin, it is the differences between these two products that makes PRF stand out as a superior treatment option.

• Both treatments require blood to be taken from the patient.
• PRP requires more blood to be taken than PRF.
• Both treatments require the whole blood sample to be placed into a centrifuge, where the blood is then processed to help separate the blood into distinct layers.
• Platelet-rich plasma is spun at a higher speed, which effectively causes all of the heavier cells in the blood, such as white blood cells and stem cells, to collect in the bottom part of the test tube and allows the lighter platelets and plasma to collect in the top part of the test tube. The platelets and plasma are then collected from the upper part of the test tube and injected into the region with tissue damage. However, newer research is showing that a platelet product that has an even higher concentration of platelets, as well as a concentration of some white blood cells and stem cells, is even more effective than traditional platelet-rich plasma. With this new information, platelet-rich fibrin was created. The PRF product is spun at a lower speed so that the layers of the blood do not separate out as distinctly. This allows some of the white blood cells and stem cells to remain within the platelet layer that is collected for treatment.
• Thus, there are more healing factors within PRF than is typically seen in PRP.
• In addition, the lower spin speed causes less trauma to the individual cells of the blood, allowing more stem cells to remain in the final PRF product.
• Another distinct difference between platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin is the concentration of platelets within the final product. Literature states that an ideal concentration of platelets for a platelet rich plasma sample is between 2-5 times the level of platelets typically found within the body. Newer literature now points out that an even higher concentration of platelets may be even more effective in the treatment of tissue damage. Platelet-rich fibrin products contain approximately 10 times the platelet concentration that is found within the body.
• With PRF, no anticoagulant is used during the processing of the blood. With platelet-rich plasma, the blood that is collected is placed in test tubes that have an anticoagulant called acid citrate dextrose (ACD), which keeps the blood product from clotting too quickly. In an effort to keep the platelet product as natural as possible, the platelet-rich fibrin test tubes do not have any anticoagulant within them. Without any anticoagulant in the test tubes, the natural fibrinogen within our blood is converted to fibrin by thrombin in the early stages of clot formation. This creates a spongy fibrin matrix that activates the platelets and allows for a slow release of growth factors, which starts the tissue healing process.