PRF vs. PRF: Which Is More Effective?
When it comes to medical and esthetic treatments, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin) are two popular options that have gained significant attention in recent years.
Although both treatments use platelet-rich blood components, there are some notable differences in their preparation, effectiveness, and use. This blog will discuss these differences and help you understand which treatment is more effective for your specific needs.
What are PRP and PRF?
Treatments that use platelet-rich blood components are autologous treatments which means they use components (cells, blood, tissue) from the same individual that they are treating. One notable comparison is stem cell therapy which is when healthy stem cells are transplanted into the bone marrow or blood.
PRP and PRF are non-surgical medical and esthetic treatments that use the patient's own blood to stimulate the growth of new cells and natural healing. The process involves taking a small blood sample from the patient and spinning it in a process called centrifugation in order to concentrate the platelets. These platelets contain a high concentration of growth factors that can help to stimulate tissue regeneration and promote healing.
The derived solution is then applied back into the targeted area for treatment. The whole process can be summarized by using an augmented version of the body’s own natural healing process in order to zero in on one specific condition. A large reason for its popularity is its use of natural components instead of synthetic ones.
How do PRP and PRF work?
Shown above is an infographic detailing the procedure for platelet-rich blood treatments. The graphic shows the formation of platelet-rich plasma, but the steps of the procedure are near the same as with platelet-rich fibrin. As you can see, the main highlight of the procedure is the process of centrifugation, also known as blood fractionation. The process works by placing the blood sample in a centrifuge where it is spun at high speeds in order to separate the plasma from the heavier blood cells that contain the healing factors. The separation occurs due to the different densities of each layer, which is why centrifugation is needed to properly sort them.
PRP vs PRF: What are the Differences?
While both PRP and PRF use platelet-rich blood components to promote tissue regeneration, there are some key differences in how they are prepared.
Initially, PRP was the only platelet-rich blood treatment. Blood samples were spun at high speeds to sort the less dense plasma-poor plasma from the denser platelet-rich plasma. However, new literature found that if spun at a lower speed, the result can produce a greater concentration of platelets, along with more growth factors like proteins and white blood cells. This new procedure became known as PRF.
PRF is produced by spinning the blood sample at a lower speed than PRP so that the layers separate less distinctly. This allows for a greater concentration of platelets as well as white blood cells and fibrin matrix. And literature has shown this concentration of platelets with white blood cells and proteins to be more effective in many treatments.
One additional difference between PRP and PRF is the use of anticoagulants. When collecting the blood sample into test tubes for PRP, an anticoagulant called acid citrate dextrose is used to prevent the blood from clotting. PRF does not use any anticoagulants in an effort to keep the process as natural as possible.
The main difference is in how they are prepared through centrifugation. And studies have shown that are multiple ways to sort out the blood components, which produce different end results that require specific classifications:
Which treatment is better?
The general consensus is that platelet-rich fibrin is more effective than platelet-rich plasma. It has been shown to be generally more effective in stimulating natural growth and healing, and with greater longevity. However, due to the wide variety of fields platelet-rich blood treatments are used, there are some cases where PRP is the more effective treatment. In the fields of dentistry and endodontics, studies have shown that for treating necrotic immature permanent teeth, PRP is more effective and should be the first choice over PRF. But there are many other scenarios where PRF is considered the better treatment, including hair loss, erectile dysfunction, dermal fillers, and musculoskeletal injuries. For more information about these treatments visit M Health and Beauty. For more information about all the medical and esthetic uses of platelet-rich plasma visit this blog.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both PRP and PRF are effective treatments, with PRF being generally more effective and longer-lasting. Choosing the right treatment depends on your specific needs and goals, and consulting with a qualified professional is always recommended. If you have more questions about the specificities of getting a procedure done call the number below.
Call for any question
