PRP vs PRF: What's the Difference?

Ask about PRP and someone will usually bring up PRF in the same breath, as if they're interchangeable. They're cousins, not twins. The mix-up is understandable given how similar the process looks from the outside, but the difference between them actually changes what each one is better suited for.

Same starting point

Both treatments begin with a small blood draw, nothing more involved than a standard blood test. That sample goes into a centrifuge, which spins out the platelet-rich portion — the part loaded with growth factors your body already uses to repair tissue. From there, it's applied to the skin or scalp depending on what's being treated.

Where the process splits

PRP is spun fast and for a shorter time. That separates out more of the red and white blood cells, leaving behind a concentrated, purely liquid platelet solution. PRF is spun slower and for longer, which lets a natural fibrin matrix form around the platelets — think of it as a mesh that holds everything together and releases it more gradually once it's in the skin.

Practically, that means PRP tends to deliver its growth factors in a faster, more concentrated burst. PRF trickles them out over a longer stretch of time because of that fibrin scaffold doing its job.

So which one should you get?

Neither is objectively superior, it really comes down to what you're treating. PRP often suits people chasing improvements in skin quality and tone where a quicker response is welcome. PRF tends to get picked for hair thinning or anywhere that benefits from sustained, slower-release support. This isn't a decision to make off a blog post, ours included — it needs a nurse actually looking at your skin or scalp in person.

What a session looks like day-to-day

Structurally, both treatments run the same way: blood draw, a short wait while the sample processes, then application. Sounds more clinical than it feels — most appointments at our Campbellfield clinic wrap up in 45 to 60 minutes start to finish. Some redness or mild swelling around the treatment area for a day or two afterwards is completely normal. A number of clients combine PRP or PRF with skin needling as part of a longer-term plan, though that's a conversation to have with your nurse rather than something to lock in beforehand.

Why we don't skip the consultation

Because it's your own blood being used, your health history actually matters here. Certain blood conditions and medications can affect whether either treatment is suitable. That's the reason every PRP or PRF appointment starts with a Nurse Consultation first, where we go through your history properly and talk through what you're hoping to get out of it before recommending either one. Our full range of options is on our services page if you want to have a look before booking.