Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF)
Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF)
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a form of blood concentrate similar to the popular PRP. It is a newer and better alternative to PRP. Naturally, the blood consists of various cells and growth factors that play a major role in the tissue regenerative process, and this explains the use of PRF for skin rejuvenation and hair loss.
During platelet-rich fibrin procedure, an individual’s blood is collected and processed to obtain platelet-rich fibrin. The blood is drawn and processed at a lesser speed to ensure that PRF has concentrated platelets alongside white blood cells and stem cells.
The stem cells in the PRF are differentiated and later develop into the cells needed to repair the skin and restore the skin’s youthful appearance. The higher concentration of growth factors in PRF promotes faster and more significant improvement in the skin than in PRP.
The PRF is injected into specific body areas, such as the face, jaw, or hair. It helps to rejuvenate the face and stimulate hair growth. The gradual release of growth factors happens naturally in the body with healing and regeneration after an injury.
The purpose of injecting PRP into the face is to promote facial rejuvenation. It helps restore lost facial volume to lift the face and improve the jaw’s contour.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma treatment is an effective treatment to enhance the appearance of the face and jawline. It is also used to stimulate hair loss by increasing the blood supply to the scalp. PRP is obtained from the special centrifugation of blood.
PRP can be injected into different parts of the face, including the jaw. It is used to treat ageing skin concerns as well as skin discolouration. PRP stimulates collagen production in the skin to improve the texture of the skin. It contains growth factors and proteins with anti-ageing properties that help to keep the skin looking younger, smoother, and rejuvenated.
PRP can be injected into various areas of the face, including the under eye, forehead, and jaw. It helps to minimize the appearance of nasolabial folds, wrinkles, and fine lines in various parts of the face.
PRP can also be injected into the scalp to promote the growth of healthy and thick hair by stimulating the growth of new healthy cells and repairing damaged hair follicles. It also increases the flow of blood to the hair follicles to trigger the growth of healthy hair.
Growth Factor Concentrate (GFC)
Growth factor concentrate (GFC) treatment is another popular aesthetic treatment. It offers an effective alternative to hair transplant surgery. GFC is a natural solution for individuals, including men and women, looking to achieve a more youthful and radiant skin appearance and those suffering from hair loss.
The treatment involves using specific growth factors and proteins obtained from an individual’s blood. The concentrate is injected into the skin to decrease the size of facial pores and repair scars. It also enhances the overall appearance of the face by minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and improving skin elasticity. In addition to the face, GFC can also be injected into the scalp to stimulate hair growth.
It works by utilizing the power of the body’s healing mechanisms to nourish and rejuvenate hair follicles. While the GFC principle for stimulating hair growth is similar to that of PRP and PRF, GFC still differs in concentrated composition.
It’s more advanced in that it’s highly specific and targets the extraction of certain blood components such as VEGF (Vascular endothelial Growth Factor), PDGF (Platelet-derived Growth Factor), EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) and IGF-1(Insulin-like Growth Factor-1). These factors promote healthy hair growth by nourishing, vascularisation, and revitalizing the hair follicles.
Stem Cells
Technological advancement has allowed specific stem cells to be engineered in the lab for aesthetic and hair growth purposes. Stem cell injections are now available for skin rejuvenation and to promote hair growth. Stem cell technology for the face and jaw helps rejuvenate the skin and increase skin tightness.
It is also used to eliminate color irregularities in the skin due to aging and sun damage. Stem cells use excellent technology and individual blood cells to improve the repair process. The growth factors in the blood, along with platelet-rich plasma technology, are used to induce collagen production, which helps to improve the texture and appearance of the skin.
Comparison of PRF vs. PRP vs. GFC vs. Stem Cells
Duration of treatment
PRP therapy consists of three treatments in a 4–6 week interval. The results of the treatment last for about six to nine months. Maintenance treatments for PRP are recommended every 4–6 months to maintain the results.
PRF treatments are done over eight weeks and offer long-lasting results that typically last six to twelve months. GFC treatment requires three to four sessions, which lasts anywhere from six months to one year. Stem cell treatment mostly doesn’t require multiple sessions and can offer results that last for years.
Benefits for face and jaw
PRF is a suitable option for skin and facial rejuvenation. It’s used to combat fine lines and wrinkles. It works by stimulating collagen growth and increasing facial volume. It’s injected similarly to dermal filler injections to restore facial volume in the cheeks, chin, and facial folds around the mouth and jaw.
PRP injections penetrate deep into the dermis layer of the skin to induce collagen production and boost connective tissue regeneration to tighten the skin and make it appear more lifted than before. GFC is the ideal option for dealing with ageing effects on the face and jaw.
The treatment helps minimize the signs of aging on your skin and helps achieve a more youthful and attractive appearance. Stem cell therapy offers excellent rejuvenation effects. It works to eliminate wrinkles and lines and improve skin laxity while eliminating age spots and acne scars.
Hair benefits
Platelet-rich plasma boosts healing processes in different body areas, including hair follicles. Many people have used PRP for its hair benefits. It works by increasing the diameter and density of hair growth. PRF is also used for hair loss treatment.
It immediately revitalizes the hair follicles and begins new hair growth. The new hair growth has more strength and is thicker than ever. GFC therapy aids healthy hair growth. It does it by stimulating the scalp and promoting a new growth cycle for the hair follicles.
GFC therapy increases hair growth by up to 20% by repairing damaged follicles and increasing blood flow. Stem cell therapy for hair helps restore the growth of natural hair follicles on the scalp to achieve long-lasting, healthy hair growth. It offers a much better alternative to hair transplant surgery.
Processes
PRF vs. PRP vs. GFC vs. Stem Cells seem to have some similarities in their benefits, but the processes involved in each treatment differ. PRF injections are produced by the combination of a fibrin matrix to the platelets enriched plasma derived from a patient’s blood to create a more cohesive and stable injectable product.
PRP is derived by isolating the platelets from a patient’s blood sample. The GFC process involves the collection of a patient’s blood in GFC tubes. The blood platelets are then activated to release their growth factors using a centrifuge process, and these growth factors are extracted from the platelets to create GFC cell injections, which entail extracting healthy stem cells from the patient’s or a donor’s body, including both adult and specialized cells, which are processed and prepared for injection.
The most common sources of stem cells include bone marrow, adipose fat tissue, or umbilical cord blood.
Effectiveness and efficacy
Effectiveness and efficacy
The first session of PRP treatment for the face and skin offers significant results, but it’s not permanent. You will need to maintain the results by going for a once-a-year treatment. There’s no extensive research, but certain studies have shown that the procedure is about 90% effective.
Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Platelet-rich fibrin in treating skin concerns and imperfections as well as premature health loss. Platelet-rich fibrin is ideal for healthy individuals looking to stimulate natural facial rejuvenation without synthetic dermal fillers, chemical agents, and surgery.
Procedures such as PRF and PRP aren’t suitable for everyone as their effectiveness depends on the time of blood collection the active blood constituents vary, and people with blood disorders may not be able to get desired results.
There is not enough clinical evidence to confirm whether it’s as effective as other options. Stem cell injections also aren’t suitable for everyone, but if it’s ideal for your skin and hair concerns, you should be sure you will get effective results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is PRF better than PRP for facial rejuvenation?
PRF is considered a much more effective option because of PRP. There are higher concentrations of growth factors in PRF than in PRP.
In addition, PRF also contains stem cells, white blood cells, and fibrin, which PRP doesn’t. The fibrin in PRF helps to keep the growth factors and stem cells in the treatment so they do not move away from where they need to be.
How many PRF facial rejuvenation treatments are needed?
You will get noticeable results with a single PRF treatment within the first few weeks after the treatment, and the results will improve over the next several months.
This isn’t the case for every individual, but depending upon the degree of skin concerns. Some people may require multiple treatments to benefit from the procedure.
Do PRF skin rejuvenation and hair restoration hurt?
PRF treatment isn’t as painful as other skin resurfacing technologies, such as certain laser procedures. Providers may also apply some topical numbing cream to make the PRF treatment more comfortable for you.
You may experience discomfort after the procedure, which doesn’t last long. The minor discomfort is worth the rejuvenating results that you will achieve.
How long does a PRP treatment take?
A PRP treatment session takes about an hour or two to complete, including an additional 30 minutes for the blood to be collected and spun in the centrifuge.
The duration will also depend on if the PRP is administered through injections only or with microneedling.
How long do results from PRP injections last?
PRP injections can last many years after treatment, but these results may vary due to the variation in the quality of platelet-rich plasma in individuals. You can maximize your results with proper at-home skincare maintenance and follow-up maintenance.
Is there any downtime associated with PRP?
There is little to no downtime after undergoing PRP treatments. You may observe redness of the skin after your treatment, which is normal. Redness doesn’t usually last for up to 24 hours. You may also notice a little swelling in certain areas.
How long does the GFC treatment take?
GFC treatment is non-invasive and can be completed within a short period of time. The procedure takes only 30 minutes.
Is the GCF hair loss treatment better than PRP?
GFC has a far higher concentration of stem cell growth factors than PRP and offers excellent and more visible results than PRP.
Can I take stem cell injections for hair loss treatment?
Stem cell therapy is significant in regenerative medicine, including hair loss treatment. Stem cell injections can be used to treat severe hair loss.
Stem cell therapy, in combination with PRP, also offers amazing results. The combo enhances cell and tissue healing and repair while promoting natural hair growth.
PRF vs. PRP vs GFC vs Stem cells, which is better?
Each of these treatments has unique benefits and suitability. The ultimate choice for individuals depends on their skin concerns and aesthetic goals. It is recommended to consult with a skincare professional to know which of them is better for you.
