PRP vs. PRF: What’s the Difference and Which One Does More
How Platelet-Rich Plasma and Platelet-Rich Fibrin Actually Differ, What Each One Is Best At, and How to Know Which Fits Your Goal — A Guide for Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles, and the Northwest Suburbs
By the Zorah Med Spa Team · Des Plaines, IL · Updated September 2026
Zorah Med Spa — 1645 S River Road, Suite 14, Des Plaines, IL 60018, River Plaza Professional Building, off River Road near the Rosemont border, serving Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles, and surrounding suburbs. Six days a week, 9 to 5, Monday through Saturday. (708) 412-4040 · schedule a consultation online.
Quick answer: PRP and PRF both come from your own blood and both work by concentrating your body’s natural healing and growth factors, but they’re processed differently and that changes what each one does best. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is spun faster and used more often for immediate, targeted concerns like under-eye hollows or hair restoration. PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) is spun slower, includes more white blood cells, and releases its growth factors more gradually — making it better suited for longer-lasting collagen support and skin quality overall. Neither is simply “the better version” of the other; they’re tools for different jobs.
Where They Start: The Same Blood Draw, Different Processing
Both treatments begin the same way — a small blood draw, just like a routine lab test. From there, the blood goes into a centrifuge, and this is where PRP and PRF split apart. PRP is spun at a higher speed for a shorter time, which separates out a concentrated layer of platelets and growth factors while leaving most white blood cells and fibrin behind. PRF is spun more slowly, which keeps more of the fibrin matrix and white blood cells intact alongside the platelets.
What That Difference Actually Means for Results
PRP releases its growth factors quickly. Because it’s a more concentrated, liquid form, it works fast and is easy to inject precisely into small, specific areas — which is part of why it’s a common choice for under-eye hollows and targeted hair restoration injections.
PRF releases its growth factors gradually. The fibrin matrix acts almost like a scaffold, slowly releasing platelets and growth factors over days rather than all at once. This slower release tends to support collagen production over a longer window, which is why PRF is often chosen for broader skin quality goals rather than one specific injection point.
PRP vs. PRF for Under-Eye Treatment
Under-eye hollows are one of the most requested PRP/PRF treatments, and it’s also where the choice between them matters most. PRP tends to be the more precise option for this delicate, thin-skinned area, since it can be placed exactly where needed with a fast-acting concentration. Some patients prefer PRF here instead, particularly those looking for a gentler, more gradual result or who want to avoid synthetic filler in this area entirely. Our PRF under-eye treatment guide goes into more detail on that specific option.
PRP vs. PRF for Hair Restoration
Both are used for thinning hair, and both work by delivering growth factors directly to the scalp to support follicle health. PRP is more commonly used here because of how precisely it can be injected and how quickly it takes effect, but PRF’s slower release is sometimes chosen for patients looking for more gradual, sustained support over a treatment series.
How Exosome Therapy Fits Into This Conversation
If you’re comparing PRP and PRF, it’s worth knowing there’s a third related option: exosome therapy, which uses cell-signaling particles rather than your own blood. Exosomes are often paired with microneedling or laser treatments rather than injected the way PRP and PRF are, so it solves a slightly different problem — but it’s worth mentioning at your consultation if overall skin quality, not a specific structural concern, is your main goal.
How to Decide Which One Fits You
Start with your actual goal. A specific area you want addressed precisely — under-eye hollows, targeted hair thinning — often points toward PRP. A broader goal around skin quality, texture, and gradual collagen support over time often points toward PRF. If you’re not sure, that’s a normal place to start a consultation from; our physician-led team can walk through both options against your specific concern rather than you needing to arrive with the answer already decided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PRP or PRF hurt more?
Both involve a standard blood draw followed by injections with a very fine needle. Most patients describe mild, brief discomfort rather than significant pain, with numbing available for more sensitive areas.
How long do results last?
Results build gradually as your body responds to the growth factors, typically becoming noticeable over several weeks, with full results and improved collagen support continuing to build over a few months. A treatment series is often recommended rather than a single session.
Can I get PRP and PRF at the same visit?
Sometimes, depending on what you’re treating and your goals — this is worth discussing directly at your consultation.
Is one more expensive than the other?
Pricing depends on the area treated and your specific plan. Ask for a written estimate after a consultation rather than assuming one option costs more than the other by default.
Is PRP or PRF better for me?
Neither is universally better — it depends on your specific goal, the area being treated, and how quickly or gradually you want results to build.
Where are you, and how do I book?
1645 S River Road, Suite 14, Des Plaines, IL 60018, open 9 to 5, six days a week. Book onlineor call; new patients are welcome.
Not Sure Which One Fits? Start With a Consultation
The right choice depends on what you’re actually trying to fix, and that’s easiest to sort out in person. Schedule a consultation or call (708) 412-4040. Still have questions? Check our Med Spa FAQ or reach out directly.
Zorah Med Spa · 1645 S River Road, Suite 14, Des Plaines, IL 60018 · (708) 412-4040 · Monday–Saturday, 9 AM–5 PM
Individual results vary. This guide is educational; whether PRP, PRF, or another treatment is right for you is best determined during a consultation with our clinical team.
