If you have searched for “platelet rich fibrin” or “PRF platelet rich fibrin,” you have probably seen big promises and very little explanation. This guide covers the basics in plain English: what PRF is, how it is made, what it is used for, and what to expect if you try it.
Short answer: PRF is a concentrate made from a small sample of your own blood. The blood is spun in a centrifuge, and the layer that forms is rich in platelets, growth factors and a protein called fibrin. That layer is then placed back into the skin or scalp, with the goal of supporting your body’s own repair process. Early research on PRF for skin looks encouraging, but it is limited, and we will be upfront about that throughout.
Platelet-rich fibrin, shortened to PRF, is a platelet concentrate made from your own blood. You may also see it written as platelet rich fibrin without the hyphen, or searched as “plasma rich fibrin.” They all point to the same idea.
Platelets are tiny blood cells best known for helping blood clot. They also carry growth factors, which are signaling proteins involved in tissue repair. Fibrin is the protein mesh that forms when blood clots. PRF brings those pieces together in one preparation.
PRF was first developed and studied in dentistry and oral surgery, where it has been used to support healing after procedures. A set of early papers in a dental and oral surgery journal described it as a newer generation of platelet concentrate, made with simpler processing and without biochemical blood handling. (Source) Its use in aesthetic medicine is more recent. At The Art of Beauty, PRF is one of our services.
The process is straightforward, and it all happens during your visit.
One detail that sets PRF apart is that it is prepared without anticoagulants, the additives that keep blood from clotting. Because the blood is allowed to clot naturally in the tube, the fibrin forms a matrix that holds the platelets and growth factors. The early PRF papers describe this as processing “without biochemical blood handling.”
| Topic | The short version | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A concentrate of platelets, growth factors and fibrin from your own blood | Standard description of PRF |
| How it is made | Blood draw, then centrifuge, with no anticoagulant added | Early PRF papers and our service page |
| Common uses in aesthetics | Skin quality, under-eye area, scars, hair thinning | Our service page |
| Typical plan at our practice | For face and under-eye, a minimum of 3 treatments, 4 to 6 weeks apart | Our service page |
| Strength of evidence | Early and limited. Small studies, few randomized trials | Published systematic reviews, covered below |
| Typical side effects | Redness, swelling, small bruises, usually brief | Published reviews and our service page |
People often search “fibrin on skin” when they are trying to understand what PRF actually does once it is in place. Here is the plain version.
Fibrin is a natural protein found throughout the body. When you get a cut, fibrin helps form the clot that stops bleeding, and it also acts as a temporary scaffold while the area heals. In PRF, the fibrin forms a soft, gel-like matrix that holds platelets and growth factors in place. The idea is that this matrix can release those growth factors gradually, rather than all at once.
That slower release is a reasonable working explanation, not proof of a benefit in every person.
If you searched this phrase because you noticed a yellowish or whitish layer on a wound or healing area, that is a separate question. This article covers the cosmetic treatment, and any wound that worries you should be looked at by a licensed clinician.
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is the other well-known blood-based treatment, and the two are often confused. Both start with your own blood and a centrifuge. Both aim to use platelets and growth factors to support skin repair.
The usual difference described is in how they are prepared. PRP is typically made with an anticoagulant, while PRF is made without one, so a fibrin matrix forms. Our practice chooses PRF as its standard for exactly that reason, and our service page describes the fibrin matrix as releasing growth factors more slowly.
Here is the honest part. A claim that one is clearly better than the other is not settled by the research. A 2025 systematic review compared injectable PRP and PRF for the under-eye area across 14 studies. It found PRF was associated with improvements in skin texture, wrinkles and crepiness, while PRP had stronger evidence for pigmentation. Its authors concluded that current evidence does not support the superiority of one over the other. (Source)
So the choice between them is better described as a matter of preparation and provider preference than a clear winner. If a provider tells you one is far better, it is fair to ask what evidence they are relying on.
These are the uses listed on our PRF service page. For each one, we also say what the research actually shows.
This is the most common use. People ask about it for texture, tone and a fresher look. A 2024 systematic review of injectable PRF pooled seven studies with 130 patients across hair and facial uses. For the face, four studies reported moderate to significant improvements in skin texture and elasticity and a reduction in wrinkles and fine lines. The authors said larger studies with control groups and longer follow-up are needed.
The under-eye area is thin and delicate, which is why many people look for options that use their own tissue rather than an added product. The 2025 periorbital review noted improvement in texture and fine lines with PRF, high satisfaction and only mild, temporary side effects. It also noted that PRF improvements often faded by 6 months, so how long results last is still uncertain. A separate 2026 review of 26 studies reported high patient satisfaction but mixed objective results for wrinkles and texture, and noted that differences in how PRP and PRF are prepared make firm conclusions hard.
PRF began in healing-focused fields, so scars and post-procedure healing are a natural fit. A 2026 narrative review of facial plastic surgery described both PRP and PRF as helpful add-ons for scar revision and healing, with minimal side effects, and called for higher-quality, procedure-specific trials.
PRF is also used on the scalp, where the aim is to support hair follicles. In the same 2024 review, three studies reported noticeable improvement in hair density and growth. That is a small body of evidence, and it is another area where bigger trials are needed.
PRF can be combined with microneedling. On our microneedling page, PRF is listed as one of the add-ons, described as being for accelerated healing and collagen stimulation. The idea is that the tiny channels made by microneedling give the PRF a way into the skin.
Our microneedling page also says add-ons are chosen based on your specific concerns, never just added for the sake of it. That is worth keeping in mind. If you are curious about the microneedling side of this, our guide on how many microneedling sessions you really need covers that in detail.
As for evidence, the combination is less studied than either treatment alone. A 2021 systematic review of microneedling with injectable PRF found only six studies that qualified. Only one of them tested the combination directly, and the largest human study had 11 participants and no control group. The authors called the combined approach promising and minimally invasive, and said more research is needed.
Here is the honest summary. The research is encouraging, but it is early, and it is not strong enough to promise any particular result.
So PRF is a promising option, not a guaranteed fix. Many studies are small, methods for preparing PRF vary, and satisfaction is not the same as measured change. How long results last is also uncertain, which is one reason maintenance is part of a plan.
Because PRF uses your own blood, there is no foreign substance involved, and allergic reaction is generally considered unlikely. In the reviews above, only mild, temporary side effects were reported. Still, any treatment that uses needles carries some risk.
Common:
Less common, and worth knowing about:
Our service page says downtime is minimal for most people, with mild redness, swelling or small bruising that typically settles within 24 to 72 hours. When microneedling is included, our microneedling page notes some redness and sensitivity for twenty four to forty eight hours, and sun protection afterward is important.
PRF is not right for everyone. Tell your provider your full health history before treatment. According to our service page, PRF is generally avoided or needs extra discussion if you have:
If microneedling is part of your plan, active acne breakouts, open wounds, cold sores and some medications can also be reasons to wait. A consultation is where this gets sorted out for your own situation.
At The Art of Beauty, every PRF plan is individualized. We assess your concerns, your starting point and your goals before recommending a protocol. To learn more, see our platelet rich fibrin (PRF) page, read about microneedling, browse the FAQ, or look at our financing options. Not sure whether PRF is the right fit? That is exactly what a consultation is for. No pressure, just an honest conversation about what makes sense for you.
PRF is a concentrate of your own platelets, growth factors and fibrin. When it is placed in the skin, the goal is to support your body’s natural repair process. Early studies report improvements in texture, elasticity and fine lines, but the evidence is still limited and results vary.
Yes, people use the two phrases for the same thing. The accepted name is platelet-rich fibrin, or PRF. If a provider uses a different term, it is fine to ask what exactly is being prepared.
Both are made from your own blood in a centrifuge. PRP is typically made with an anticoagulant, while PRF is made without one, so a fibrin matrix forms. Research has not shown that one is clearly better than the other.
Most people describe the blood draw as similar to a routine blood test. Some pressure or tenderness may be felt in the treated area, and numbing cream is commonly used for injections or microneedling. Comfort varies from person to person, so ask your provider what to expect.
For face and under-eye, our service page recommends a minimum of three treatments, four to six weeks apart, then individualized yearly maintenance. For hair, it recommends four to six sessions thirty to sixty days apart, then one to two maintenance treatments a year. Your own plan is set at your consultation.
This is not firmly established. A 2025 review of under-eye treatments found PRF improvements often diminished by 6 months. Maintenance sessions are part of the usual plan, and your provider can set an interval based on how your skin responds.
Because it uses your own blood, PRF avoids donor or synthetic material, and the reviews above reported only mild, temporary side effects. Any needle-based treatment still has some risk, such as bruising or infection. A licensed provider should review your health history before treatment.
Yes. Our microneedling page lists PRF as an add-on, chosen based on your specific concerns. The combination has been studied less than either treatment alone, so ask your provider how it would fit your goals.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Every person’s skin, health history and goals are different, and results vary. If you have questions about your own situation, please speak with a qualified, licensed healthcare provider directly.
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