Today, regenerative medicine is headed by two innovative treatments. Platelet-rich fibrin gel (PRF gel) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are advanced regenerative medicine treatments that utilize components of a patient’s own blood for aesthetic benefits. (1)
At True You Medical Aesthetic in San Jose, we offer these cutting-edge therapies to rejuvenate skin, restore volume, and encourage hair growth.
While PRF and PRP may seem similar at first glance, they both have unique qualities that make them better suited for different indications. Understanding the similarities and differences between the two is the best way to determine which option is right for you.
To schedule your consultation and find out which treatment can best achieve your goals, call True You Medical Aesthetic today at (408) 223-8818 or contact us online.
Contents
- 1 About Platelet-Rich Fibrin Gel and Platelet-Rich Plasma
- 2 About Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
- 3 About Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) Gel
- 4 Differences Between PRF Gel and PRP
- 5 Ideal Candidates
- 6 Personal Consultation
- 7 Preparation
- 8 Procedure
- 9 Results
- 10 Cost of Platelet Rich Fibrin Gel and Platelet Rich Plasma in San Jose
- 11 Corresponding and Complementary Treatments
- 12 FAQ
- 12.1 How are PRP and PRF gel treatments alike?
- 12.2 Which treatment is longer-lasting, PRF gel or PRP?
- 12.3 Will I need downtime after PRF gel or PRP treatments?
- 12.4 When will I see PRF gel or PRP results?
- 12.5 What areas do PRF and PRP treat?
- 12.6 Do I need anesthesia for PRP or PRF?
- 12.7 How many PRF or PRP treatments will I need?
- 13 References
About Platelet-Rich Fibrin Gel and Platelet-Rich Plasma
Both PRF gel and PRP derive from a small sample of your blood, which we process to concentrate platelets and growth factors. These natural substances can help heal wounds, regenerate tissues, and support collagen production. When we introduce them to targeted areas, they boost your body’s ability to repair from within.
Despite sharing a biological foundation, PRF gel and PRP differ in the way they are processed, their consistency, and their applications.
About Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma, also known as PRP, is one of the most recognized regenerative therapies. After we take a blood sample, we place it in a centrifuge that separates the platelets from red and white blood cells. The resulting serum is rich in platelets and growth factors. We can inject this PRP serum into the skin, apply it after microneedling, or use it to stimulate hair growth. (2)
About Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) Gel
Aesthetic practices have used PRP for years, while PRF gel represents a newer generation of regenerative care that offers extended benefits. PRF gel is spun in the centrifuge at a slower speed. This preserves more of the white blood cells, stem cell components, and fibrin. The result is a thicker, gel-like material. (3)
PRF gel is ideal for areas where patients want both regenerative benefits and subtle volume restoration. Patients benefit from both immediate improvements and long-lasting regenerative effects.
Differences Between PRF Gel and PRP
The main distinction between PRF gel and PRP is in how they deliver growth factors. PRP is a liquid that provides an immediate boost to targeted tissues, making it well-suited for skin rejuvenation and hair restoration. PRF gel has a thicker consistency that holds its position, releasing growth factors slowly for longer-term results while also adding more volume. True You Medical Aesthetic offers both so that we can customize treatment to your unique concerns.
Ideal Candidates
Both PRF gel and PRP treatments are excellent options for patients who want natural improvement without synthetic products or surgery. You may be an ideal candidate for one or both of these treatments if you:
- Want to enhance skin tone and texture
- Have fine lines, wrinkles, or hollows under the eyes
- Want to restore volume without fillers
- Seek a minimally invasive solution for various concerns
- Want natural hair restoration support
- Prefer treatments with little to no downtime
Our team at True You will carefully evaluate your concerns, determine your eligibility for either treatment, and recommend a treatment plan that best suits your goals during your personal consultation.
Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation, one of our nurse practitioners will review your medical history, assess your skin or hair concerns, and discuss your expectations. You will learn about the differences between PRF gel and PRP, and we will explain which treatment will best help you achieve your desired results. This is also your opportunity to ask questions and explore alternative or corresponding treatments. After a thorough discussion and after gathering the necessary information, we will personalize a treatment plan to your goals.
Schedule your consultation today by calling (408) 223-8818 or by contacting us online.
Preparation
The True You team will give you a list of detailed guidelines to follow ahead of your treatment. We request that patients arrive at their treatment with clean and clear skin. Additionally, our staff may advise you to undergo labs to establish your eligibility. Medication/supplement regimen adjustments may also be recommended.
Procedure
Both PRF gel and PRP treatments start with a small blood draw. We then process this blood in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets and growth factors. We spin PRP at higher speeds, resulting in a liquid serum. We spin PRF at a slower rate, creating a fibrin-rich concentrate with a gel-like texture.
Your specialist will then inject the serum or gel into the target areas or apply it in combination with other therapies. We typically spread PRP across larger areas to stimulate collagen and improve overall skin health. In many cases, we precisely place PRF gel in areas such as under the eyes or in facial folds to restore plumpness while delivering regenerative effects. The process usually takes an hour or less for both treatments, but it may run longer if we combine it with other treatments.
Results
For both treatments, results appear gradually and naturally. Patients may notice improved skin tone and smoother texture within a few weeks, with hair regrowth appearing over several months. Many patients find that PRF gel results last longer than PRP, though patients can repeat both treatments to maintain outcomes.
Cost of Platelet Rich Fibrin Gel and Platelet Rich Plasma in San Jose
The cost of treatment varies depending on whether you choose PRP, PRF gel, or a combination of both. The size of the treatment area, the number of sessions you undergo, and whether you include other treatments will also influence pricing. During your consultation, we will provide a clear breakdown of costs and help you design a plan that aligns with your goals and budget.
Schedule your consultation today to explore the benefits of PRF gel and PRP treatments. If you have any questions or prefer to schedule over the phone, please call our San Jose office at (408) 223-8818.
Corresponding and Complementary Treatments
Many patients choose to combine PRF gel or PRP with other treatments to maximize their results. Combining therapies can potentially enhance your outcomes by addressing multiple concerns at once. At True You Medical Aesthetic, we often recommend pairing regenerative treatments with other services such as:
- HydraFacial: This treatment deeply cleanses and hydrates the skin, providing an ideal foundation for regenerative therapies to work more effectively.
- Microneedling: Pairing microneedling with PRP or PRF gel allows growth factors to penetrate deeper, enhancing collagen production.
- Body Sculpting: TrueYou offers various treatments that provide patients with improved body contours, which can be a great addition to PRF gel or PRP treatments for those seeking transformative results.
During your consultation, the True You team will help you decide if combining treatments is the best approach to achieve your desired results.
FAQ
How are PRP and PRF gel treatments alike?
Both use your own blood to deliver concentrated platelets and growth factors that support regeneration. Their biocompatible nature makes them much safer than synthetic alternatives.
Which treatment is longer-lasting, PRF gel or PRP?
PRF gel often provides longer-lasting results than PRP due to its slow-release action.
Will I need downtime after PRF gel or PRP treatments?
Recovery is minimal, with most patients only experiencing mild swelling or redness.
When will I see PRF gel or PRP results?
PRP results may appear within weeks, while PRF gel offers immediate plumping and ongoing improvements over several months.
What areas do PRF and PRP treat?
PRF and PRP are often used for facial rejuvenation. When injected underneath the eyes, the serums can diminish undereye bags or soften hollows. The serums have also been shown to lessen wrinkles and signs of aging in general by improving collagen production.
Do I need anesthesia for PRP or PRF?
This depends on your personal preferences and treatment. Most patients do not need anesthesia or opt for local anesthesia in the treatment areas only.
How many PRF or PRP treatments will I need?
Patients are able to see results after just one session, but we may recommend multiple spaced-out sessions depending on patient goals and reactions to the treatment. Some patients simply get maintenance treatments after their initial results fade.
References
- Dohan DM, Andia I, Zumstein MA, Zhang CQ, Pinto NR, Bielecki T. Classification of platelet concentrates (Platelet-Rich Plasma-PRP, Platelet-Rich Fibrin-PRF) for topical and infiltrative use in orthopedic and sports medicine: current consensus, clinical implications and perspectives. Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal. 2014;4(1):3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4049647/
- Pretorius J, Habash M, Ghobrial B, Alnajjar R, Prasad Ellanti. Current Status and Advancements in Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy. Cureus. Published online October 17, 2023. doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.47176
- Karimi F, Esmaeil Biazar, Saeed Heidari-Keshel, et al. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) gel modified by a carbodiimide crosslinker for tissue regeneration. RSC Advances. 2022;12(21):13472-13479. doi:https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ra00985d