Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has experienced substantial growth in the aesthetic community over the last few yearsโ€”itโ€™s currently being used to rejuvenate the skin in โ€œvampire facialsโ€ (itโ€™s also commonly used with microneedling, although itโ€™s still being investigated by the FDA in regards to its skin-perfecting capabilities), in addition to assisting in hair restoration and wound healing.

Now weโ€™re hearing about another type of platelet-rich plasma, called platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), which could be the next generation of the treatment and a valuable tool for plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and even dentists. To find out how it differs from the standard, we turned to the pros.

โ€œFibrin is a biological scaffold that forms in response to an injury anywhere in the body,โ€ says Westborough, MA, facial plastic surgeon Min S. Ahn, MD. โ€œPlatelets normally circulate within the blood and will bind to a scaffold of fibrin. When platelets bind to the fibrin scaffold, they become activated and release growth factors from tiny โ€˜granules.โ€™ These growth factors start the wound healing process by creating new skin cells, collagen and blood vessels. Scientists have been able to figure out a way to take your blood, spin it in a centrifuge, isolate the contents, and create a platelet- and white blood cellโ€“rich fibrin scaffold ready for use in plastic surgery. The platelet-rich fibrin has been used to fill in facial folds, help fat cells survive better and promote healing after a facelift.โ€

Sounds pretty similar to PRP right? We thought the same thing. However, according to New York facial plastic surgeon Dilip D. Madnani, MD, thereโ€™s one key difference that could make PRF a more effective treatment in the future (after itโ€™s been proven in long-term studies). โ€œPRF appears to target the same issues as PRP, but it releases the growth factors over time, which means it could have longer-term benefits. The growth factors are what stimulate the stem cells that improve collagen and elastin in the skin.โ€ Dr. Ahn adds, โ€œThe platelets in PRF are thought to survive better than those in PRP, and therefore promote faster healing.โ€

Both doctors agree it could be some time before PRF is โ€œmainstream,โ€ but Dr. Madnani says itโ€™s been studied in wound healing trials and shown to be safe. โ€œRight now itโ€™s primarily being used in the dental area for implants and bone healing, but itโ€™s an interesting field and the obvious next step in the evolution of natural rejuvenation.โ€

If you are visiting a doctor who offers the treatment, remember that itโ€™s still experimental, so tread lightly. โ€œMake sure your doctor has experience with PRF in facial rejuvenationโ€”do your homework, ask to see pictures and speak to prior patients,โ€ says Dr. Madani.