PRP vs PRF: Which Is Right for You?

If you’ve been researching hair loss treatments, you’ve probably seen two terms that look almost the same: PRP and PRF. They both use your own blood to help your hair grow, but they’re not made the same way, and they don’t work in your scalp the same way either.

This guide explains the real difference in plain words, what actual research says about each one, and how to think about which one might fit your situation. This is general information, not medical advice, so any final decision should come from a real conversation with a doctor who can look at your scalp in person.

What Is PRP?

PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. Here’s how it’s made:

1. A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm, like a regular blood test
2. That blood goes into a machine called a centrifuge, which spins it fast
3. The fast spin separates your blood into layers, and the platelet-rich part is pulled off the top
4. That liquid is then injected into your scalp

Platelets are tiny parts of your blood that carry growth factors, which are natural substances that help your body repair and grow tissue. The idea behind PRP is that these growth factors can help wake up weak hair follicles so they grow thicker hair.

PRP has been studied a lot more than PRF when it comes to hair loss. Several research trials have found real improvements in hair thickness and density after PRP treatment for pattern hair loss [1].

What Is PRF?

PRF stands for Platelet-Rich Fibrin. It’s related to PRP, but made a little differently.

1. Blood is drawn the same way as PRP
2. But instead of a fast spin, PRF uses a slower spin, and no anticoagulant (the substance normally added to stop blood from clotting during processing)
3. This slower process lets the blood form a gel-like matrix made of fibrin, a protein involved in healing, along with the platelets and white blood cells trapped inside it [2]

Because PRF keeps everything held together in that gel matrix, it’s believed to release its growth factors more slowly over time, instead of all at once [2]. In theory, this slow release could mean the effects last a bit longer with each treatment.

PRP vs PRF: What’s Actually Different?

	PRP	PRF
How it’s made	Fast spin, plasma separated out	Slower spin, whole blood forms a gel matrix
How it releases growth factors	Faster, shorter burst	Slower, over a longer period
Research in hair loss	Well studied, more data available	Fewer studies, results still emerging
Needle process	Standard injection	Often described as slightly gentler, but not proven to be less painful in studies
Sessions needed	Usually 3-6 to start, then maintenance	Some clinics suggest fewer sessions, but this isn’t firmly proven yet

Does PRF Work Better Than PRP?

This is the question everyone actually wants answered, and here’s the honest truth: nobody knows for sure yet.

A small 2024 study compared PRP and PRF directly in men with pattern hair loss. Both treatments improved hair density after three months, and while PRF showed slightly better numbers, the difference was small enough that it wasn’t considered statistically meaningful. In simple words, both worked, and PRF wasn’t clearly proven to work better.

Some lab research has found that PRF preparations can contain similar or even higher levels of platelets and growth factors compared to PRP. That sounds promising, but having more growth factors in a tube doesn’t automatically mean better results in a real scalp, and larger studies are still needed to confirm this.

Most of what we know about PRF actually comes from other fields, like dentistry and wound healing, where it’s been used for longer. Hair-specific research on PRF is newer and smaller in scale. PRP, on the other hand, has a longer track record specifically for hair loss.

So right now, the fair answer is: PRP has more research behind it for hair, and PRF is a newer option that looks promising but still needs more study to know if it’s truly better.

Which One Might Be Right for You?

Since the research doesn’t clearly favor one over the other yet, the right choice usually comes down to your specific hair loss pattern and what your provider recommends after actually examining your scalp.

PRP may be a good starting point if:

• You want the option with the most research behind it
• You’re in the early stages of thinning
• You want a treatment with a longer, well-documented track record

PRF may be worth discussing if:

• You’re curious about a newer option and want to try something with a potentially longer-lasting release
• Your provider has specific experience and results with PRF they can show you
• You don’t mind that the research is still catching up

Neither PRP nor PRF can bring back hair in a spot with no living follicles left. Both work by supporting follicles that are still active but weak, which is different from what a hair transplant does. If you want to understand how these treatments compare to surgery, our guide on PRP vs Hair Transplant breaks that down in more detail.

Does Hair Type Affect How PRP or PRF Works?

Not in a major way. PRP and PRF work on the follicle itself, not on hair color or texture. That said, everyone’s scalp and hair pattern is a little different, which is part of why a proper scalp check matters before starting either treatment, the same way texture and color are also considered in surgical planning, as we cover in our piece on the rarest hair types in the world.

Can You Combine PRP or PRF With a Hair Transplant?

Yes. Many patients use PRP (and sometimes PRF) alongside a hair transplant, either before surgery to support existing hair, or after surgery to help the newly placed grafts settle in. Our post on whether PRP after a hair transplant actually works goes deeper into how that combination is typically used.

What Does It Cost?

Both treatments are generally priced per session, and PRF is sometimes priced slightly higher than PRP in some clinics since it’s a newer offering. Since both usually require a series of sessions to start, it’s worth asking about full treatment plan costs, not just a single session price, during your consultation. If you’re also weighing this against surgical options, our guide on hair transplant costs and insurance is a helpful next read.

A Note From Hair Restoration Seattle

Dr. Javad Sajan offers PRP therapy as part of the treatment plans at Hair Restoration Seattle, often alongside FUE and FUT procedures for patients who want extra support for their existing hair. Since PRF is still a newer, less proven option specifically for hair loss, it’s worth asking directly during a consultation whether it’s a fit for your case, and why.

The most reliable way to know what will actually help your hair is a real scalp check, not a general article. You can book a consultation to get a plan based on your own hair and hair loss pattern.

FAQs

What is the main difference between PRP and PRF? 

PRP is made with a fast spin that separates out plasma rich in platelets. PRF is made with a slower spin using whole blood, which forms a gel-like matrix that releases growth factors more slowly over time.

Is PRF better than PRP for hair loss? 

It’s not clearly proven yet. Small studies show both PRP and PRF can improve hair density, and any advantage PRF may have hasn’t been shown to be statistically significant so far. PRP has more research behind it overall for hair loss specifically.

Does PRF hurt less than PRP? 

Some providers describe PRF as a gentler process since it skips the anticoagulant step, but studies comparing pain scores between the two haven’t found a meaningful difference.

How many PRP or PRF sessions do I need? 

PRP usually starts with 3 to 6 sessions, then maintenance treatments every 6 to 12 months. Some providers suggest PRF may need fewer sessions due to its slower release, but this isn’t firmly established in research yet.

Can PRP or PRF regrow hair on a bald spot? 

No. Both treatments work on follicles that are still alive but weak. Neither can create new hair growth in an area with no living follicles left. Only a hair transplant can add hair to a fully bald area.

Is PRP or PRF safe? 

Both use your own blood, so the risk of allergic reaction is low. Most people experience only mild, temporary soreness or swelling at the injection site.

Can I combine PRP or PRF with a hair transplant? 

Yes. Both are commonly used alongside hair transplant surgery, either to support existing hair before the procedure or to help the transplanted grafts settle in afterward.

Sources

1. National Library of Medicine, Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Literature: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5803844/ 
2. Wikipedia, summarizing published dermatology and tissue-engineering research, Platelet-Rich Fibrin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platelet-rich_fibrin