What Are The Differences Between Prp And Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF)?

Although platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin have some basic similarities, it is the differences between these two products that distinguish platelet-rich fibrin as a superior treatment option. Both of these products necessitate the collection of blood from the patient. PRP necessitates the collection of more blood than PRF. Both products necessitate the centrifugation of a whole blood sample, which is then processed to help separate the blood into distinct layers. Platelet-rich plasma is spun faster, causing all of the heavier cells in the blood, such as white blood cells and stem cells, to collect at the bottom of the test tube.

Platelets and plasma are then collected from the upper portion of the test tube and injected into the tissue-damaged area. However, newer research indicates that a platelet product with a higher concentration of platelets, as well as some white blood cells and stem cells, is even more effective than traditional platelet-rich plasma. Platelet-rich fibrin was created as a result of this new knowledge. Because the PRF product is spun at a slower speed, the blood layers do not separate as clearly. This allows some white blood cells and stem cells to remain within the platelet layer, which is then collected for treatment. Thus, there are more healing factors within PRF than is typically seen in PRP. In addition, the lower spin speed causes less trauma to the individual cells of the blood, allowing more stem cells to remain in the final PRF product.

The concentration of platelets in the final product is another significant difference between platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin. According to the literature, an ideal platelet concentration for a platelet rich plasma sample is between 2-5 times the level of platelets normally found in the body. According to newer research, a higher concentration of platelets may be even more effective in the treatment of tissue damage. Platelet-rich fibrin products contain roughly ten times the platelet concentration found in the body.

Another distinction between platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin is that no anticoagulant is used during the blood processing process with PRF. When collecting platelet-rich plasma, the blood is placed in test tubes containing an anticoagulant called acid citrate dextrose (ACD), which prevents the blood product from clotting too quickly. The platelet-rich fibrin test tubes do not contain any anticoagulant in order to keep the platelet product as natural as possible. In the absence of an anticoagulant in the test tubes, thrombin converts the natural fibrinogen in our blood to fibrin in the early stages of clot formation. This creates a spongy fibrin matrix that activates the platelets and allows for a slow release of growth factors, which starts the tissue healing process.

How much improvement can I expect from PRF and how long will it last?

PRF is a new, non-invasive treatment that has been shown to reduce the severity of wrinkles. The improvement from PRP typically lasts between 12 and 18 months but it varies depending on what you are treating. In general terms, patients can expect around 25% wrinkle reduction at one year following their last treatment with continued improvements as time passes. This means if there were 100 wrinkles before your first treatments, after about one year there would be 75 remaining.

It is recommended that you continue PRP treatments for 12 to 18 months after your last injection because this is when you will see the most improvement. They recommend using Botox or other injectable therapies after that time period has passed to maintain the results until they wear off (about 24-36 months). You may also want to consider plastic surgery at some point if it becomes necessary, but PRF injections should help significantly improve things beforehand.