What is PRF?
PRF stands for platelet-rich fibrin. Like PRP, it's made by spinning a sample of your blood in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets and growth factors. The key difference is that PRF is prepared without an anticoagulant and usually spun at a lower speed. Without anticoagulant, the sample naturally starts to form fibrin - the protein mesh that holds a blood clot together.
PRF was first developed for dental and oral surgery, where a gel-like fibrin clot was useful for healing. For hair restoration, clinics use a liquid, injectable form, often called i-PRF, drawn off before it has time to clot. That liquid is then injected into the scalp in much the same way as PRP.
How is PRF different from PRP?
| Feature | PRP | PRF |
|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulant in tube | Yes | No |
| Centrifuge speed | Typically higher | Typically lower and gentler |
| Fibrin matrix | Minimal | Forms a fibrin network after injection |
| White blood cells | Depends on system | Generally retains more |
| Working time | Longer before injection | Must be injected quickly, often within about 15 minutes |
| Growth factor release | Faster, shorter burst | Believed to be slower and more sustained |
| Evidence for hair | Promising but mixed; more trials | Limited; few studies |
| Typical US cost per session | $500–$1,500 | Similar, sometimes higher; varies |
Why do some clinics prefer PRF?
Providers who favour PRF usually give a few reasons. Skipping the anticoagulant means the sample is closer to your natural blood. The fibrin network formed after injection may act as a scaffold that holds platelets in place and releases growth factors gradually rather than all at once. PRF also tends to retain more white blood cells, which some believe support healing. And because no additives are used, a few patients find the injections sting slightly less.
These are reasonable theories, and lab studies support some of them. But a better-sounding mechanism doesn't automatically translate into more hair. What patients need to know is whether PRF produces better results for hair loss in real people - and that hasn't been established.
What does the research say about PRF for hair loss?
PRF has a longer track record in dentistry and wound healing than in hair restoration. Studies specifically on hair loss are few, small, and varied in method. Some report improvements in hair density or thickness, and a small number have compared PRF with PRP, but there isn't enough high-quality evidence to say one is clearly superior. PRF is not FDA-approved for hair loss, and like PRP, its use on the scalp is considered off-label.
If a clinic describes PRF as "the next generation" of PRP with guaranteed better results, treat that as marketing rather than science. For the stronger body of PRP evidence, see PRP hair restoration.
What happens during a PRF session?
- Consultation and photos - your provider confirms the type of hair loss and records a baseline.
- Numbing - topical numbing cream, cooling, or local anaesthetic is applied to the scalp.
- Blood draw - blood is drawn into plain tubes with no anticoagulant.
- Short, gentle spin - the tubes are centrifuged for a few minutes at low speed.
- Quick injection - the liquid PRF is drawn up and injected across thinning areas before it clots.
- Aftercare - you go home with instructions, usually similar to PRP.
The whole session typically takes 45–75 minutes. Because timing is critical, the blood draw is often done in the treatment room once your scalp is already numb.
Afterwards, expect mild tenderness, tightness, or small bumps at injection sites for a day or so. Most clinics advise waiting until the next day to wash your hair, avoiding heavy exercise and saunas for 24–48 hours, and choosing acetaminophen over anti-inflammatory painkillers if you need pain relief. Contact the clinic if you notice spreading redness, warmth, or discharge, which could signal infection.
How many sessions are needed, and what does it cost?
Treatment schedules mirror PRP: commonly three to four sessions about a month apart, then maintenance every four to six months or so if you respond. Per-session pricing is usually in a similar range to PRP - roughly $500–$1,500 in the US - though some clinics charge a premium for PRF. A first year might therefore cost a few thousand dollars. Insurance won't cover it. See the cost hub for how this compares with other treatments.
Who is PRF suitable for?
Candidacy is essentially the same as for PRP. PRF may suit you if you have:
- Early to moderate pattern thinning with fine hairs still present
- A preference for non-surgical treatment
- No platelet, bleeding, or clotting disorder
- No active scalp infection or skin disease in the treatment area
- Realistic expectations and a budget for ongoing maintenance
It's not a fix for completely bald areas; restoring those requires a transplant. Women should have blood tests and a diagnosis first, as described in our female hair restoration guide.
Should you choose PRF or PRP?
For most people, the choice matters less than the provider. A skilled, physician-led clinic doing well-prepared PRP is a better bet than a poorly run PRF service, and vice versa. If a clinic you trust offers both, it's reasonable to ask why they recommend one for you and whether the price differs. If PRF costs substantially more, the current evidence doesn't clearly justify the extra.
Whichever you choose, continuing proven medical treatment such as minoxidil, or finasteride for men, is usually advised alongside it. Explore all options on the types and options hub.
How do you find a PRF provider?
Look for a board-certified dermatologist or hair restoration physician who diagnoses before treating, explains their preparation method, provides a written plan and price, and tracks results with standardized photos. To compare PRF, PRP, and other options from vetted US providers, request a free quote.
Related guides
Frequently asked
It hasn't been proven. PRF may release growth factors more slowly, but studies comparing it with PRP for hair loss are few and small. Neither is FDA-approved for hair loss.
i-PRF means injectable platelet-rich fibrin - a liquid form of PRF drawn off after a short, low-speed spin so it can be injected before it clots. It's the form used for scalp treatment.
They feel similar, as both involve multiple small scalp injections. Some patients find PRF slightly less stinging because no anticoagulant is used, but experiences vary. Clinics use numbing to keep it comfortable.
Any benefit is temporary, because PRF doesn't stop the cause of pattern hair loss. Clinics usually recommend maintenance sessions every four to six months if you respond well.
Yes, some clinics use it for female-pattern thinning. Because women's hair loss has many possible causes, blood tests and a diagnosis should come first, so any iron, thyroid, or hormonal issue is treated too.
Some clinics do this, though PRF's short working time means it must be applied quickly. There's little specific evidence on the combination for hair, so ask your provider why they recommend it.
About this guide
This is an independent overview to help you decide. Figures are typical US ranges, not a quote, and general information is not medical advice - confirm details at a consultation. See our methodology and disclosure.
