05 · PRF
PRF, Platelet-Rich Fibrin
Your own blood, refined into a slow-release growth factor matrix, for under-eyes, hair, and skin quality.
What it is
The clinical, plainly stated.
PRF is platelet-rich fibrin, an autologous concentrate spun down from your own blood. The result is platelets and white cells held in a natural fibrin scaffold that releases growth factors gradually over weeks.
Because there's no anticoagulant and the spin is slower, the body's own clotting builds the matrix. You get a quieter, longer signal than PRP, which is why I prefer it for skin and follicle work.
Protocol
The series, and where it goes.
PRF is a series. Below is the protocol I use most often, plus the areas where I see the most reliable results.
The protocol
- 01
Three sessions, four to six weeks apart, is the standard course.
- 02
Maintenance lands every 6 to 12 months, sometimes 18 for skin-quality work.
- 03
Each session: blood draw, spin in a calibrated centrifuge (no anticoagulant) for 10 to 15 minutes, then injected or applied with microneedling.
- 04
PRF over PRP, in my hands: the fibrin matrix sustains the release, which gives a deeper collagen response and longer-lasting improvement.
Areas treated
Under-eye rejuvenation
Texture, fine lines, and gentle volume restoration in a region where filler is risky. PRF is often the safer answer.
Hair loss and hairline density
Scalp injections for early pattern thinning. A series is required and results take months.
Facial / neck skin quality
Radiance, elasticity, firmness, usually paired with microneedling for delivery.
Microneedling accelerator
PRF spread topically during microneedling drives healing and amplifies the collagen response.
Ideal candidate
Who I treat, and who I send back.
Adults wanting natural, gradual improvement without synthetic product.
Early-to-moderate aging in skin quality.
Early pattern hair loss, most useful before the follicle is gone.
Comfortable with delayed results and a multi-session commitment.
Not on therapeutic anticoagulants without prescriber clearance.
What to expect
The visit, start to finish.
- 01
Blood draw
10 to 30 mL drawn from your arm. Same feeling as a routine lab draw.
- 02
Spin
Calibrated centrifuge, no anticoagulant, 10 to 15 minutes. The fibrin layer is what we use.
- 03
Apply or inject
Topical for microneedling combos. Precise injection for under-eye, hairline, or skin-quality work. Numbing as needed.
- 04
Post-check
Aftercare review. Total visit is 30 to 45 minutes.
Results timeline
When you'll actually see it.
Week 1–2
Mild swelling or redness possible. Hydration response begins.
Week 3–6
Texture and tone improvements. Fine lines soften. Follicles entering growth phase for hair work.
Week 6–12
Visible lifting, elasticity, glow. This is where most clients first notice friends asking what they did.
Month 3–6
Peak. Collagen remodeling apex.
Month 6–12
Stabilize and gradually decline. Maintenance gets scheduled here.
Aftercare
The first 24–48 hours.
Boring instructions that quietly determine how good your result looks at week two. Don’t skim them.
- 01
No strenuous exercise or sauna for 24 to 48 hours, elevated temp and blood flow can disrupt the fibrin matrix.
- 02
No makeup for 24 hours, SPF 30+ after.
- 03
No massage, rubbing, or picking for 48 to 72 hours.
- 04
Hydrate generously and prioritize sleep, both amplify the regenerative response.
- 05
Avoid NSAIDs, blood thinners, and high-dose vitamin E for 3 to 5 days. Acetaminophen is fine.
FAQ
The questions I get most.
Why PRF over PRP?
The fibrin matrix in PRF sustains the release of growth factors over days, not minutes. In my experience that gives a deeper collagen response and a longer-lasting result.
Does it hurt?
Mild. Blood draw is the same as a lab draw. Topical numbing for injections, especially under the eye.
How long do results last?
Six to twelve months after the full series of three. Annual or 18-month maintenance is the common rhythm.
Can I combine it with microneedling, laser, or peels?
Yes, microneedling with PRF is the classic pairing. We sequence other treatments thoughtfully.
Side effects?
Minimal, it's your own blood. Mild redness, swelling, or bruising for 24 to 48 hours. Infection is rare.
How many sessions do I really need?
You'll notice a subtle gain after the first. Full benefit lands after the series of three. One session alone is not a fair test.
Honest risks & contraindications
What can go wrong, and where we say no.
PRF is one of the safest tools I offer because the product is yours. The contraindications are mostly about the blood draw and the underlying biology.
Common + expected
- ·Mild redness, swelling, or bruising for 24 to 48 hours.
- ·Small bumps at injection sites that fade within days.
Serious, uncommon but real
- ·Infection, rare.
- ·Vascular events, extremely rare with proper technique, especially under the eye where I always use a cannula.
We don’t treat if
- ·Active bleeding disorders, hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction.
- ·On therapeutic anticoagulants (warfarin, apixaban) or antiplatelets without prescriber clearance and a planned pause.
- ·Active infection, dermatitis, open wound, or herpes flare in the treatment area.
- ·Uncontrolled severe autoimmune disease, lupus, severe RA.
- ·Recent tattoo, waxing, or aggressive skin procedure in the area within 1–2 weeks.
- ·Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- ·High-dose systemic steroids or immunosuppressants.
Ready when you are
Ready to start? Book thirty unhurried minutes.
Related
Often planned together.
04 · Sculptra
Sculptra
A collagen biostimulator, not a filler. Slow, regenerative volume that builds from inside the skin over months.
03 · Filler
Filler Harmonizing
Filler is usually the last tool I reach for, not the first. When we do use it, we use a little, in the right plane, to support what your own skin and collagen are already doing.