Does PRP have any advantages over PRF?

Question

I see a lot of doctors offering both PRP and PRF injections. From what I understand, PRF has a lot of advantages (more growth factors, longer-lasting benefits, no additives). So my question is why are doctors still offering PRP when PRF is better? Does PRP have ANY advantages? Why would someone choose PRP when PRF is superior?

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

Manufacturers often disseminate mis-information regarding their products to increase sales.  Doctors then take this mis-information and relay it to patients.  The total  Amount of growth factors Is the same in both products by volume.  The volume of blood drawn  for PRF is significantly smaller. There are no studies to document PRF has any benefit or better results compared with PRP. In fact, there is a dearth of studies with PRF. The anti-coagulation  chemical,  sodium citrate, has been studied and is not consequential in efficacy of PRP vs PRF.  There are several disadvantages in PRF.  Many of the PRF companies have devices that are not 510K approved. This means that it is illegal to use and not safe. For hair, PRF is a NOT helpful. It does not Diffuse In the scalp, therefore it does not spread as well to bathe the follicles. PRF useage is time dependent and  more difficult to inject.  The volume produced is less and  this Limits the amount of scalp that can be injected.  On a worldwide basis, PRF is only a small percentage of platelet regenerative medicine therapy.   Almost all of the clinical trials and published studies are done with PRP not PRF.  Therefore, protocols , technique and results have been  evaluated and substantiated with PRP  not PRF. For this reason, most key opinion leaders in hair restoration utilize PRP due to its superiority. Find a PRP expert.
Jeff Rapaport MD FAAD 
Realself Hall of Fame

Leslie Pickens, MD · Answer

PRP is still being used because there is more experience with it, it is safe and it works.  PRP is versatile being used literally all over the body head to toe.  I have injected PRP in the scalp, entire face or just lower lids, sexual organs, scars and stretch marks all over the body, joints and tendons.

Does PRP have any advantages over PRF?

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Does PRP have any advantages over PRF?

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