PRP and PRF: What is the Difference Between Them, and Are All PRP Remedies the Same?

What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP)?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an autologous biological product obtained from a person's own blood and containing a higher concentration of platelets than normal blood levels.

The granules contained within platelets include various growth factors and biological signaling molecules such as PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF, and EGF.

The goal of PRP is to concentrate this biological material in a specific area to support tissue healing and regeneration.

What is platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)?

Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is an autologous product from the same family as PRP, but prepared differently.

In classic PRP preparation, anticoagulants are usually used; in PRF systems, blood is generally processed without anticoagulants. The fibrin matrix that forms over time can trap platelets and other cellular components within this network.

It is thought that growth factors may be released for a longer period; however, clinically, PRF has not been shown to be superior to PRP in every indication.

What is the main difference between PRP and PRF?

PRP is usually prepared with an anticoagulant, allowing it to remain in liquid form for longer and focusing on increasing platelet concentration.

PRF is usually prepared without anticoagulants, aims to create a fibrin network, and targets slower/continuous growth factor release.

It is not accurate to compare the effectiveness of two products based solely on their names.

Injectable PRF – What is iPRF?

The liquid form of PRF that can be injected is called injectable PRF (iPRF). The product is used in an injectable state before the classic dense fibrin clot forms.

IPRF is being investigated particularly in the periorbital region, facial skin quality, fine wrinkles, and some hair applications.

Does PRP work for hair loss?

It is one of the most studied autologous treatments, particularly for androgenetic alopecia. Meta-analyses of randomized trials have reported increased hair density; however, the study protocols are heterogeneous.

PRP is not a substitute for accurate diagnosis, minoxidil, finasteride/dutasteride, or necessary hormonal/laboratory evaluations.

Are all PRP samples the same?

No. This is one of the most important points in PRP treatments.

The resulting product can vary significantly depending on the amount of blood taken from the patient, the tube or kit system used, the centrifugation speed, centrifugation time, whether single or double centrifugation is performed, the amount of platelets recovered, the leukocyte content, the final volume, and the activation method.

Systematic reviews comparing commercial PRP systems show significant differences in final platelet, leukocyte, and growth factor concentrations.

Does the brand of the PRP kit matter?

It's not the brand name alone that matters, but the product that the system creates.

However, the resulting PRP can vary because different commercial systems use different tube geometries, separator gels or membranes, blood volumes, centrifugation protocols, and platelet recovery rates.

Therefore, the approach that "PRP is PRP, the kit doesn't matter" is not scientifically accurate.

Are more platelets always better?

No. The goal of PRP is not to achieve the maximum possible platelet count.

Very low concentrations may reduce the biological effect; excessively high platelet concentrations do not necessarily mean better results in every indication.

Expert recommendations for dermatology suggest a target range of approximately 1–1.5 million platelets/µL; the ideal concentration may vary depending on the indication.

Leukocyte-enhanced PRP or leukocyte-free PRP?

Leukocyte-rich PRP and leukocyte-poor PRP may have different biological properties. While leukocytes may be beneficial in some cases for inflammatory/antimicrobial responses, in other indications they may create unnecessary inflammation.

There is no single ideal PRP treatment; the composition of the product is important depending on the tissue to be treated.

Why are anticoagulants important?

During classic PRP preparation, citrate-based anticoagulants are usually used to prevent blood from clotting in the tube.

However, simply “using a citrate tube” does not mean that standardized PRP has been produced. The medical purpose of the tube, its sterility, the material in contact with the blood, the amount of anticoagulant, the centrifugation protocol, the platelet recovery rate, and the final volume are all important factors.

Why is simply centrifuging the blood not enough?

Because not all plasma obtained after centrifugation is platelet-rich plasma. In some preparations, the final product may be platelet-poor plasma, insufficiently concentrated plasma, or a product containing an excessive amount of erythrocytes/leukocytes.

The quality of PRP cannot be determined by its color or the yellow liquid visible in the tube.

What should a patient ask when getting PRP treatment?

The patient does not need to act like a laboratory technician. However, reasonable questions include whether the system used is designed to produce PRP, whether it is single-use/sterile, for what purpose PRP or PRF is preferred, and why the protocol changes for different indications such as hair/face.

PRP quality is not determined solely by the price of the kit used. However, it is also incorrect to consider a standardized medical preparation system and a general-purpose blood sample as the same product.

Why might cheap PRP and expensive PRP not be the same?

Price alone is not an indicator of quality. However, the cost of PRP includes a disposable sterile system, a special separation kit, a specific blood volume, an appropriate centrifugation protocol, medical application, and physician evaluation.

Therefore, comparing standardized medical PRP systems with very low-cost applications based solely on "taking blood, centrifuging, and injecting" is not meaningful based only on price.

Before asking "how much does it cost?", the patient should ask "what exactly is being prepared for me?".

Could there be differences in effectiveness between PRP brands?

Yes, measurable biological differences exist. Platelet concentration, platelet recovery, leukocyte count, erythrocyte contamination, and growth factor levels can vary between systems.

The fact that a particular conditioning system or platelet profile is appropriate for an indication does not mean that the same approach is superior in all tissues and in all patients.

Should PRP be activated?

PRP can be activated using various methods. After activation, platelets can release growth factors more quickly.

However, there is no consensus on whether external activation is absolutely necessary for routine soft tissue injections.

What is the purpose of PRP in facial rejuvenation?

In facial treatments, the most common parameters targeted are skin quality, dermal thickness, elasticity, and fine wrinkles.

Current systematic reviews have shown the most consistent results in skin thickness and elasticity; wrinkles, dyschromia, and texture, however, have been found to be more variable.

Can PRP be used as a substitute for fillers?

No. PRP does not restore significant volume loss, does not create bone projection, and does not shape the face like hyaluronic acid fillers.

What is Vampire Facelift®?

Vampire Facelift® is not the same as PRP. The original commercial protocol is based on a combination of hyaluronic acid filler and a platelet-based autologous product.

The basic principle is to support lost structural volume/facial contour with fillers, and to support skin quality and biological regeneration with platelet-derived products.

The procedure known as Vampire Facial® is not the same as the microneedling + PRP approach.

Can PRP be performed in conjunction with microneedling?

Yes. There are protocols where PRP is used topically, intradermally, or in combination after controlled microchannels are created in the skin with microneedling.

Applying PRP only to the surface is not the same treatment as injecting it into the dermis.

Is PRP safe?

Because it is autologous, the risk of allergic reactions is lower compared to many foreign products. However, the procedure is not entirely risk-free.

Complications such as pain, bruising, swelling, infection, and non-sterile processing conditions may occur. The fact that the product is prepared from the person's own blood does not mean that the preparation system and asepsis are irrelevant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, PRP or PRF? Current evidence doesn't show one is superior to the other in every case.

Do all PRP kits yield the same results? No. Significant differences in platelet, leukocyte, and growth factor concentrations have been demonstrated between systems.

Does seeing yellow plasma mean it's PRP? No. A yellow appearance of the plasma does not indicate that there is a sufficient platelet concentration.

Is an expensive kit better for PRP? Price alone is not an indicator of quality. It is important to use a standardized, sterile system designed for PRP production.

Does PRF provide volume like fillers? PRF fibrin matrix can create a temporary volume effect, but it does not have the same structural capacity as classic hyaluronic acid fillers.

Is Vampire Facelift® PRP? No. The original approach referred to a combination of hyaluronic acid filler and a platelet-based autologous product.

Dermatologist's Note

One of the most important things patients need to know about PRP is this: “PRP” is not a single, standardized product.

Different blood volumes, centrifugation methods, kits, platelet concentrations, and leukocyte contents can be found under the same name.

Therefore, it is not accurate to evaluate the quality of PRP solely by looking at the name of the procedure or its price.

What is important for us is to obtain a biologically meaningful product, prepared in a repeatable manner with the appropriate medical system and for the appropriate indication, and to apply it to the correct tissue.

Treatments with specific names such as PRF, iPRF, or Vampire Facelift® should be evaluated according to the same principle: the product's content, mechanism of action, and real clinical evidence are more important than its name.