Consult & assess
The concern, medical history, previous treatment and suitability for an autologous platelet concentrate are reviewed.
PRP & PRF · BURFORD, OXFORDSHIRE
PRP & PRF
Autologous platelet treatments selected around the tissue, concern and protocol.
PRP and PRF are prepared from a small sample of your own blood. They are not identical treatments, and one is not automatically better than the other. At Face for Soul, preparation method, treatment area and clinical goal are considered together before either is recommended.
01 · THE TREATMENT
Same blood source. Different preparation.
PRP and PRF are platelet-derived treatments, not interchangeable labels for the same procedure.
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a plasma preparation containing a higher concentration of platelets than baseline blood. Platelet-rich fibrin, or PRF, is prepared differently and forms a fibrin-rich matrix that can retain platelets and other cells within the concentrate.
Processing methods vary substantially between devices and protocols. That matters because platelet concentration, leukocyte content, fibrin architecture and final volume can differ. Face for Soul therefore avoids presenting PRP or PRF as a generic product with one universal effect.
01Assess
Skin, scalp, anatomy, diagnosis, medical history and the actual treatment objective are reviewed first.
02Select
PRP, PRF, another mechanism or no treatment is chosen according to the concern rather than trend.
03Prepare
A small blood sample is collected and processed according to the planned platelet concentrate protocol.
04Deliver & review
The concentrate may be injected or used within a combination plan, then reviewed according to response.
PRP OR PRF MAY BE DISCUSSED WHEN YOU NOTICE
02 · SUITABILITY
Start with the diagnosis, not the centrifuge.
Hair thinning, under-eye change, scarring and general skin ageing can each have different causes. A platelet concentrate is useful only when the underlying concern and the chosen protocol make sense together.
01 MAY BE CONSIDERED
- Selected pattern hair loss or thinning after diagnosis and wider causes are considered
- Selected facial skin-quality or periorbital concerns where tissue quality is part of the problem
- Some acne-scar or texture plans when combined with an appropriate procedure such as microneedling
- Selected regenerative or post-procedure plans where an autologous platelet concentrate is clinically appropriate
02 ANOTHER ROUTE MAY FIT BETTER
- Undiagnosed hair shedding, scarring alopecia or medical causes that require investigation first
- Structural facial volume loss where a platelet treatment cannot replace missing support
- Active infection or unstable skin in the treatment area
- Blood, platelet or clotting issues, or medicines that change procedural suitability
VAIVA'S ASSESSMENT
The preparation only matters after the concern is understood.
The decision is not simply PRP versus PRF. It is whether a platelet concentrate is the right mechanism at all, and if so, which preparation and delivery method best fits the clinical goal.
CLINICAL ASSESSMENTPRP & PRF
Burford · West Oxfordshire · Cotswolds
01
The concern
Skin quality, scarring, under-eye change or hair loss is defined before selecting a regenerative pathway.
02
Medical context
Medicines, blood or platelet disorders, previous procedures and relevant health history are reviewed.
03
Skin or scalp status
Inflammation, infection, barrier stability, scalp health and tissue quality can change timing or suitability.
04
Preparation method
PRP and PRF protocols vary. The final concentrate should be understood in the context of the device and intended use.
05
Delivery method
Injection, microneedling-assisted use or another combination approach is chosen only when clinically appropriate.
06
Alternative mechanisms
Microneedling, polynucleotides, skincare, hair-loss treatment, structural treatment or referral may be more relevant.
CLINICAL DECISION PATHWAY
Diagnosis / PRP / PRF / combination treatment / another mechanism / referral / wait / no treatment
CLINICAL RESTRAINT
Autologous does not mean automatic, risk-free or universally effective.
diagnosis firstprotocol variationblood historyclotting medicinesinfection riskrealistic outcomes
03 · APPOINTMENT
A blood draw is only the beginning of the protocol.
Preparation and delivery depend on whether PRP or PRF is being used, the treatment area and whether it forms part of a combination plan.
Collect the sample
A small amount of blood is drawn using the clinic's planned collection protocol.
Process
The sample is centrifuged and prepared as PRP or PRF according to the intended treatment and protocol.
Deliver the concentrate
The prepared concentrate may be injected or used within a planned procedure such as microneedling, depending on the indication.
Review the response
Further treatment is based on indication and response rather than assuming every patient needs the same course.
04 · RESULTS & RECOVERY
Visible recovery happens before biological change can be judged.
0Treatment day
Injection points, redness, tenderness or swelling may be visible. Scalp treatment can feel sore or tight.
DaysEarly settling
Bruising or swelling can persist for several days, particularly in delicate areas such as under the eyes.
WeeksGradual response
Any change in skin quality or hair parameters is gradual rather than an immediate correction.
ReviewReassess
The next step depends on diagnosis, protocol, treatment goal and response.
What we are looking for
For skin, the aim may be improvement in selected measures such as texture, hydration or elasticity. For pattern hair loss, research most consistently examines hair density and count. Evidence and expected response differ between indications and protocols.
How many sessions?
Many published protocols use a course rather than one isolated treatment, but there is no universal schedule. Your plan is based on diagnosis, preparation method, treatment area and response.
Common short-term effects
Redness, swelling, tenderness and bruising can occur. Blood draw can also cause bruising or light-headedness. Infection and other injection-related complications remain possible despite the material being autologous.
05 · BEFORE & AFTERCARE
Keep the treatment area calm while it settles.
Aftercare differs between scalp, face, under-eye and combination procedures. Follow the instructions given for your specific treatment rather than a generic PRP or PRF routine.
01
Prepare
Tell the clinic about medicines, supplements, blood or platelet conditions, recent illness and any change in your health before treatment.
02
Settle
Avoid rubbing, pressing or unnecessarily irritating treated areas while redness, swelling or tenderness settles.
03
Support
Use simple skincare after facial treatment and appropriate scalp care after hair treatment. Daily sun protection remains important for exposed skin.
SKIN & SCALP APOTHECARY
Support the treatment goal without overloading recovery.
Products are shown only when available online and should fit the treatment area and wider plan.
Explore medical skincare →
Klardie SCALFREE Scalp-Repair Cellup Ampoule | Multi-Growth Factor Scalp Treatment
Scalp-support option to discuss where hair and scalp care form part of the plan.
View product →
Klardie Fusicare Calming Moist Balm | Intensive Soothing Moisturiser for Sensitive Skin
Barrier-support moisturiser for selected post-procedure facial skincare plans.
View product →
Obagi Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50 | 100% Mineral Sunscreen
Daily mineral SPF support for exposed skin after recovery.
View product →NOT SURE WHICH REGENERATIVE ROUTE FITS?
You do not need to choose PRP or PRF before consultation.
The useful question is what the concern needs, not which acronym sounds newer.
06 · CHOOSING THE MECHANISM
PRP and PRF sit within a wider regenerative toolkit.
The preparation should match the indication. It should not replace diagnosis or be added to another procedure without a clear reason.
TreatmentMechanismWhen it may be considered
PRP / PRFAutologous platelet concentrate prepared from the patient's bloodSelected skin-quality, scalp or combination regenerative plans
Microneedling ↗Controlled mechanical micro-injurySelected acne scarring, texture, pores and photoageing-related fine lines
Polynucleotides ↗DNA-derived injectable polynucleotide formulationsSelected skin-quality or delicate-area concerns after assessment
Skin Boosters ↗Product-specific injectable skin-quality formulationsSelected hydration, texture and superficial skin-quality goals
07 · CLINICAL EVIDENCE
The evidence depends heavily on the indication and protocol.
For facial rejuvenation, a 2025 systematic review of 20 studies involving 514 patients found the strongest signals for improvement in skin thickness and elasticity, while findings for wrinkles, texture, dyschromia and hydration were more mixed. A 2024 umbrella review of 13 systematic reviews concluded that the underlying PRP evidence was too weak and inconsistent for firm conclusions. The evidence base is larger for PRP in alopecia, including a 2025 review of 43 randomised controlled trials involving 1,877 participants, although protocols still varied substantially. Injectable PRF has a smaller evidence base, with a 2024 review identifying seven studies and 130 patients across alopecia and facial rejuvenation. This is encouraging evidence, but it does not justify treating PRP and PRF as interchangeable or universally effective.
01Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Facial Rejuvenation20 studies · 514 patients · 2025
02Platelet rich plasma for facial rejuvenation: an overview of systematic reviews13 systematic reviews · 2024
03Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Management of Alopecia43 RCTs · 1,877 participants · 2025
04Effectiveness of Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin Therapy in Alopecia and Facial RejuvenationSystematic review · 7 studies · 130 patients
08 · LONGER-TERM PLANNING
A course should follow the diagnosis, not replace it.
Some patients may have several sessions followed by review. Others may need medical hair-loss treatment, a different skin mechanism, another procedure or no regenerative treatment at all.
09 · FAQs
Questions about PRP & PRF.
What is the difference between PRP and PRF?
Both are autologous platelet concentrates prepared from your own blood, but their processing and final composition differ. PRP is a platelet-rich plasma preparation. PRF incorporates a fibrin-rich matrix and may retain different cellular components depending on the protocol.
Is PRF better than PRP?
Not automatically. The evidence does not support treating PRF as universally superior for every aesthetic or hair indication. The better choice depends on the clinical goal, preparation method and available evidence for that use.
Can PRP or PRF help hair thinning?
PRP has a comparatively larger evidence base for androgenetic alopecia and has shown improvements in hair density in multiple trials. Hair loss still needs diagnosis first because platelet treatment cannot correct every cause of shedding or thinning. PRF data are promising but less mature.
Can PRP or PRF be used under the eyes?
They may be considered for selected periorbital skin-quality concerns, but dark circles, hollowness, fluid retention and thin skin have different causes. Published facial-rejuvenation evidence is mixed and preparation protocols vary substantially, so under-eye treatment should follow anatomy and diagnosis rather than a blanket PRP or PRF protocol.
Can PRP or PRF be combined with microneedling?
Combination treatment can be appropriate in selected plans. It should be used because the mechanisms complement the clinical goal, not simply because adding another treatment sounds more advanced.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no universal course. Published protocols often use multiple sessions, particularly for hair loss, but the number and spacing depend on diagnosis, preparation, treatment area and response.
What is the downtime?
Redness, tenderness, swelling and bruising can occur. Under-eye treatment can swell more noticeably, while scalp treatment may feel tender or tight. Recovery varies by area and technique.
Are there risks even though the treatment uses my own blood?
Yes. Autologous material reduces concerns such as allergy to the injected material, but blood draw, injection and tissue handling still carry risks including bruising, swelling, infection and other procedure-specific complications.
Where are PRP and PRF consultations available?
Face for Soul is based in Burford, Oxfordshire, welcoming patients from West Oxfordshire and across the Cotswolds. Treatment follows consultation and suitability assessment.