Rather than simply adding volume or temporarily masking signs of aging, many patients are looking for treatments that support the body's own ability to repair and renew itself. PRF is one of the leading examples of that approach.
Short for Platelet Rich Fibrin, PRF is created entirely from a small sample of your own blood. Once processed, it contains a concentrated blend of platelets, white blood cells, fibrin, and naturally occurring growth factors that can be used to support tissue repair and regeneration.
That range of applications is one of the reasons PRF has become increasingly popular. In the skin, it can help stimulate collagen production, improve texture, and enhance overall skin quality. In the scalp, it can support healthier hair follicles and encourage thicker, fuller hair growth in appropriate candidates.
If you're considering PRF for skin rejuvenation or hair restoration, this guide explains how the treatment works, how it differs from PRP, what concerns it can address, and what you can realistically expect before, during, and after treatment.
What Is PRF?
PRF, or Platelet Rich Fibrin, is a regenerative treatment that draws on the body's own healing biology. The goal is to concentrate the natural cells and proteins involved in healing, then place them back into targeted areas of the skin or scalp where they can support tissue repair and regeneration.
The process begins with a simple blood draw, similar to a routine laboratory test. The sample is then placed into a centrifuge, which spins the blood at a carefully controlled speed to separate its different components.
Unlike PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), PRF is processed without anticoagulants or other additives. This allows a fibrin matrix, a delicate network of proteins naturally involved in wound healing, to form within the final preparation.
That protein scaffold is one of the defining features of PRF.
Rather than releasing growth factors all at once, the fibrin acts as a scaffold that gradually releases platelets, growth factors, and other regenerative cells into the surrounding tissue over time. This slower, sustained release allows the body to continue receiving regenerative signals for longer than it would with a more immediate release.
PRF also typically contains a higher concentration of white blood cells than traditional PRP, along with platelets and naturally occurring growth factors that help coordinate the body's healing response.
Although both share the same biological source and are used in regenerative medicine, the way they're prepared is what sets them apart. PRP is processed with anticoagulants to keep it in a liquid plasma form, while PRF is produced without additives, allowing that natural protein network to form on its own. The result is a preparation designed to provide a more gradual release of growth factors rather than a rapid burst immediately after treatment.
Because the treatment is derived entirely from within the body, it offers a regenerative approach that can be used for both skin rejuvenation and hair restoration without introducing synthetic fillers or foreign substances.
PRF for Skin: What It Does and Who It's For
When PRF is used for skin rejuvenation, the goal isn't to fill or reshape the face. It's to improve the quality of the skin itself.
Once placed into the skin, the concentrated growth factors gradually stimulate the body's natural repair processes. Over time, this encourages new collagen production, supports tissue regeneration, and helps strengthen the skin's underlying structure. Because these changes develop gradually, the improvement tends to look subtle and natural rather than immediate or dramatic.
Patients often choose PRF to address concerns such as:
- Fine lines and early signs of aging
- Mild skin laxity
- Rough or uneven skin texture
- Dull or tired-looking skin
- Under-eye hollowing and crepey skin
One of the most common treatment areas is beneath the eyes. Because it uses naturally derived material rather than a synthetic filler, it can be an option for patients looking to improve thin, crepey skin or mild hollowing in this delicate area while supporting healthier tissue over time.
PRF can also be used more broadly across the face to improve overall skin quality. Depending on your treatment plan, it may be injected into targeted areas or combined with microneedling, allowing those regenerative compounds to penetrate through thousands of microscopic channels created during treatment. This combination helps support collagen remodeling while improving the appearance of the skin's surface.
The best candidates for PRF are patients with mild to moderate signs of aging who want to improve skin quality rather than dramatically change their appearance. It's particularly well suited to those noticing early collagen loss, declining skin elasticity, or a complexion that no longer looks as smooth or luminous as it once did.
Results develop gradually as the skin responds to the regenerative signals from the treatment. Some patients notice healthier-looking skin within several weeks, but collagen remodeling continues over the following months. Because PRF works with your body's natural healing processes, the improvements tend to appear progressively rather than overnight.
PRF for Hair Restoration: What It Does and Who It's For
Just as PRF can support healthier skin, it can also create a more favorable environment for hair growth.
When injected into the scalp, the concentrated regenerative proteins help support the health and function of existing hair follicles. Rather than creating new follicles, PRF is designed to stimulate follicles that have become weakened or less active, encouraging them to remain in the active growth phase for longer and produce thicker, healthier hair.
For that reason, PRF works best while viable hair follicles are still present.
Patients with early to moderate androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) or diffuse thinning often see the greatest benefit. It's also a popular option for individuals who have noticed increasing hair shedding, widening of the part, or an overall reduction in hair density before more advanced hair loss develops.
PRF is not an effective treatment for every type of hair loss, however. Conditions that permanently destroy hair follicles, such as scarring alopecia, generally require a different treatment approach. Likewise, areas where follicles have been completely lost are unlikely to regrow hair with PRF alone.
Treatment involves a series of small injections placed throughout the areas of thinning across the scalp. Rather than targeting a single spot, your provider distributes the PRF across the treatment area to deliver those healing signals directly to the follicles that are still capable of responding.
Hair growth is a gradual process, so patience is important.
Some patients notice a reduction in daily shedding within the first few months, while visible improvements in hair thickness and density typically develop more gradually. Because hair grows in cycles, meaningful changes often become more noticeable between three and six months after beginning treatment, with continued improvement as additional sessions are completed.
Like most hair restoration treatments, PRF is designed to support and preserve existing hair rather than permanently stop hair loss. For many patients, it works best as part of a long-term hair restoration strategy, helping maintain healthier follicles and slow future thinning over time.
What to Expect Before, During, and After PRF
Before
Every PRF treatment begins with a consultation to determine whether you're a good candidate and whether your goals are best addressed through skin rejuvenation, hair restoration, or a combination of both.
Your provider will review your medical history, discuss any medications or supplements that may increase bruising, and evaluate the treatment area. Because the treatment begins with a blood draw, staying well hydrated before your appointment can make the process easier.
During
The treatment itself follows the same process whether PRF is being used for the skin or scalp.
A small sample of blood is drawn from your arm and immediately placed into a centrifuge, where it's processed to separate the platelet-rich fibrin. Once prepared, the PRF is collected and applied immediately.
How it's delivered depends on your treatment plan. For skin rejuvenation, PRF may be injected into targeted areas, such as beneath the eyes, or combined with microneedling to distribute the treatment more evenly across the skin. For hair restoration, a series of small injections is placed throughout the areas of thinning across the scalp.
Most appointments take about 45 to 60 minutes, including blood collection and processing time. Topical numbing may be used for certain treatment areas to improve comfort.
After
Recovery following PRF is generally minimal, although mild swelling, redness, tenderness, or bruising at the injection sites is common during the first few days.
If you're treating the skin, you may notice slight swelling or pinpoint injection marks immediately afterward, particularly around delicate areas like the under-eyes. Patients who combine PRF with microneedling can also expect temporary redness similar to a mild sunburn, which typically improves within 24 to 48 hours.
If you're treating the scalp, it's normal to experience mild tenderness or a sensation of tightness where the injections were placed. Small bumps at the injection sites usually settle within a day, and most patients return to their normal routine immediately after treatment.
Because PRF works by supporting your body's natural regenerative processes, the treatment doesn't produce instant results. Instead, the healing and remodeling process continues over the weeks and months that follow, with improvements developing gradually as your skin or hair responds to the regenerative signals released through that protein scaffold.
How Many PRF Sessions Do You Need?
The ideal number of PRF treatments depends on whether you're treating the skin or the scalp, as well as the severity of your concerns and your long-term goals.
For Skin Rejuvenation
Some patients notice healthier, brighter-looking skin after a single treatment, particularly when PRF is being used to improve overall skin quality or paired with treatments like microneedling.
For more noticeable collagen stimulation or concerns such as under-eye rejuvenation, fine lines, or declining skin elasticity, a series of three treatments spaced about four to six weeks apart is commonly recommended. Because collagen remodeling continues long after each session, improvements build gradually over time rather than appearing all at once.
Once you've achieved your desired result, many patients choose maintenance treatments once or twice a year to help support ongoing collagen production and maintain skin quality.
For Hair Restoration
Hair restoration typically requires a more structured treatment plan.
Because hair grows in cycles, PRF needs time and repeated treatments to influence active follicles. Most patients begin with a series of three to six sessions, usually scheduled about four to six weeks apart. This allows each treatment to build on the regenerative response created by the previous one.
After the initial series, maintenance treatments are often recommended every six to twelve months, depending on the underlying cause of hair loss and how your hair responds over time.
Whether you're treating the skin or scalp, PRF is rarely viewed as a one-time procedure. Instead, it works best as part of a long-term regenerative strategy that may also include medical-grade skincare, hair restoration therapies, or other complementary treatments based on your individual goals.
How Much Does PRF Cost?
The cost of PRF varies depending on what you're treating and how extensive your treatment plan is.
Nationally, PRF treatments generally range from $500 to $1,500 per session. The overall investment depends on several factors, including the treatment area, the amount of PRF required, and whether you're treating the skin, the scalp, or both during the same visit.
Several factors can influence pricing, including:
- Whether treatment is focused on a single area, such as the under-eyes, or a larger area like the full face or scalp.
- Whether PRF is being used on its own or combined with treatments such as microneedling.
- The number of sessions included in your treatment plan.
- Whether you're pursuing skin rejuvenation, hair restoration, or both.
At Kate Somerville Skin Clinic, pricing is customized during your consultation based on your treatment goals and the areas being addressed.
Because PRF is often recommended as a series rather than a single treatment, many patients find it more helpful to think about cost as part of an overall treatment plan instead of evaluating each session individually. Your provider can recommend the number of treatments most likely to achieve your goals and discuss the expected investment before treatment begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PRF painful?
Most patients tolerate PRF well. The treatment begins with a routine blood draw, followed by injections into the skin or scalp. Depending on the treatment area, your provider may use topical numbing cream to improve comfort. You may feel mild pressure or brief pinching during the injections, but the procedure is generally well tolerated.
How long do PRF results last?
Because PRF works by stimulating your body's natural regenerative processes, results develop gradually and can continue improving for several months after treatment. How long those results last depends on the area being treated, your age, and your body's natural healing response. Most patients maintain their results with periodic maintenance treatments as recommended by their provider.
Can PRF be combined with other treatments?
Yes. PRF is commonly combined with other aesthetic treatments to support overall results. For skin rejuvenation, it is frequently paired with microneedling, lasers, or other collagen-stimulating procedures. For hair restoration, it may be incorporated into a broader treatment plan that includes medical therapies or other hair restoration treatments. Your provider will recommend the safest combination based on your goals and treatment timeline.
Is PRF safe for all skin tones?
Yes. Because PRF uses your own blood rather than heat or light energy, it can be used safely across all skin tones and Fitzpatrick skin types. As with any injectable treatment, a consultation is still important to review your medical history, assess the treatment area, and determine whether PRF is appropriate for your specific concerns.
How is PRF different from a stem cell treatment?
Although PRF supports tissue regeneration, it is not a stem cell treatment. PRF contains concentrated platelets, fibrin, white blood cells, and naturally occurring growth factors — all drawn from the same small blood sample collected at the start of treatment. These components help signal and support your body's existing repair processes. Stem cell therapies involve different cell types and are prepared using entirely different techniques.
Support Your Skin and Hair With Your Body's Own Regenerative Potential
At Kate Somerville Skin Clinic, your provider will evaluate your skin or scalp, review your medical history, and determine whether PRF is the right approach or whether it should be combined with other treatments as part of a broader regenerative plan.
