What is PRF and How Does it Work?
Your body already has what it needs to turn back the clock on aging skin. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) takes the proven science of PRP and refines it even further.
Unlike synthetic fillers or harsh chemicals, PRF harnesses your own blood’s natural healing power to rejuvenate your skin from within. The result is firmer, smoother, more radiant skin that looks naturally refreshed rather than artificially altered.
Keep reading to learn more about the basics of PRF including its benefits, uses, and a little bit about what the actual treatment entails.
What is Platelet-Rich Fibrin?
Platelet-rich fibrin is essentially a super-concentrated version of your blood’s own healing components. platelets, growth factors, and proteins, all derived from a simple blood draw.
What makes PRF special is how it’s processed: without any additives or chemicals, allowing your blood to work its magic naturally and form a kind of healing scaffold that helps your skin regenerate itself.
When you get a cut or injury, platelets rush to the scene like tiny first responders. They release growth factors that jumpstart healing, encourage new cell growth, and help form new blood vessels.
PRF captures and concentrates these powerful healing elements, then delivers them exactly where your skin needs renewal most.
At Schlessinger Eye and Face, we use PRF for everything from smoothing wrinkles and fine lines to improving skin texture, restoring lost volume, fading acne scars, and even helping with hair thinning. And because it’s made entirely from your own blood, there’s virtually no risk of allergic reactions – your body instantly recognizes it as its own.
How Does PRF Differ From PRP?
You’ve probably heard of PRP (platelet-rich plasma), PRF is like its more advanced, longer-lasting cousin. Both come from your blood, but they’re processed differently, and that difference matters.
PRP uses chemical additives during processing and gets spun in a centrifuge once to separate the healing platelets from red blood cells. You end up with a liquid concentrate that works quickly.
PRF takes a gentler approach. Your blood is processed without any additives and spun more slowly for less time. This preserves a fibrin network that holds onto platelets, white blood cells, and stem cells. Instead of releasing all the healing factors at once, this scaffold releases them gradually over days, giving your skin continuous support as it regenerates.
PRF provides longer-lasting stimulation and potentially better results because your skin keeps getting those healing signals for days after treatment, not just immediately. The fibrin structure also helps guide new tissue formation, giving you an extra boost in the rejuvenation process.
What to Expect During PRF Treatment
Getting PRF is easier than you might think. It starts with a quick blood draw, just like when you get lab work done, usually just a few small vials. That blood goes into a centrifuge that spins it at specific speeds to separate the components without damaging the delicate healing cells.
The spinning process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Your blood naturally separates into layers, and the golden PRF-rich layer at the top is what we’ll use for your treatment.
Once it’s ready, we can use your PRF in different ways depending on what you’re trying to achieve. For most facial concerns, we’ll inject it beneath your skin using very fine needles in areas where you want to see improvement, whether that’s smoothing wrinkles, plumping volume loss, or improving texture.
Some people combine PRF with microneedling to help it penetrate even deeper. At Schlessinger Eye and Face, we often pair PRF with laser treatments or radiofrequency microneedling for even better results.
The whole appointment typically takes about an hour, making it perfect for fitting into a busy schedule. We can apply numbing cream beforehand to keep you comfortable, and most people say the injections are very manageable.
To discover whether PRF is right for you, schedule a consultation at Schlessinger Eye and Face in Woodbury, NY, today.
