A PRF treatment uses platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to rejuvenate skin or hair. PRF has a high concentration of both platelets and growth factors, which can help cells function better and trigger stem cell activity to spur elastin and collagen production, promote hair growth, and accelerate the wound healing process.
Recent research supports the benefits of PRF for tissue repair, and it’s often combined with cosmetic procedures like microneedling (a combo sometimes called a PRF facial), fat transfer, and hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers. It can be applied topically or injected into skin (often referred to as i-PRF, short for injectable PRF) to target signs of aging.
The most common treatment areas for PRF are the face (especially dark under-eye circles), neck, and hands. According to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Greenberg, “PRF is great for patients with thin skin, crepey skin, and under-eye discoloration.”
Benefits of PRF include:
- Evening out skin tone
- Improving texture
- Reducing acne scarring
- Brightening the under-eye area (hollows and dark circles)
- Firming skin
- Softening fine lines
PRF injections in the scalp can enhance hair growth and address hair loss in patients with thinning or androgenetic alopecia.
Sports medicine providers also use PRF therapy to treat joint pain and accelerate healing.
RealSelf Tip: There’s a misconception that PRF injections are a “natural” substitute for fillers, but PRF doesn’t add volume, so “it does not replace filler,” says Dr. Greenberg. “Rather, it’s used as an adjunct to dermal fillers to improve skin integrity.”
