PRP and PRF are treatments that use your own blood to refresh your skin. PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. PRF stands for platelet-rich fibrin. Both work the same basic way: they concentrate the part of your blood that is rich in growth factors, the natural signals your body uses to repair itself and build collagen, and return it to your skin. Both start with a small, simple blood draw from your arm, much less than you would give at a blood donation. We place the sample in a centrifuge, which spins it to separate the platelet-rich part. That concentrate is what we use. Because it comes from your own body, there is nothing foreign in it.
PRP is the original: liquid, releases its growth factors quickly. PRF is a newer version, spun more gently and without additives, so it forms a soft, natural scaffold. PRF holds more growth factors and releases them slowly over a longer time. It can also be prepared as a soft gel, sometimes used as a gentle, natural filler, often for the delicate under-eye area. Neither is simply “better.” Which one we use depends on your skin and your goal. PRF clots quickly, so it requires more precise timing during preparation and injection. PRP and PRF are used to improve skin texture and tone, soften fine lines and a dull look, refresh and brighten the under-eye area, pair with microneedling (a combination sometimes nicknamed the “vampire facial”), and support hair growth with scalp injections for thinning hair.
A visit is straightforward. First we draw a small sample of your blood. While the centrifuge spins it, we prepare your skin, usually with a numbing cream. Then we apply or inject the concentrate, depending on your treatment plan. Most visits take 30 to 60 minutes. PRP and PRF do not work overnight. They work by prompting your body to build new collagen, and that takes time. Most people see their skin improve gradually over the weeks and months after treatment. For lasting results, PRP and PRF are usually given as a short series, often three to six sessions, spaced a few weeks apart, followed by occasional maintenance.
Because the material is your own, there is no foreign substance, so the risk of an allergic reaction is very low. Side effects are usually mild: redness, swelling, or a little bruising for a day or two. There is also an honest point to make: because these treatments use your blood, they must be done with strict, sterile, medical care. You may have heard the nickname “vampire facial.” A few years ago, a non-medical spa that stored and handled blood unsafely caused serious harm and made national news. We mention it for one reason: it shows exactly why a treatment that uses your own blood belongs in a licensed physician’s office, with single-use supplies and proper sterile technique. That is how we do it, every time.
PRP and PRF are simple in idea but exact in practice. Which one we choose, and how we deliver it, depends on your skin, your goals, and what your body responds to. We will tell you honestly what to expect.
