PRP and PRF: what they do, what they cost and what to ask before you book
Plasma treatments using your own blood have loyal patients and a long list of claimed uses. Dr Leah rates them by the concern being treated, because the process is involved and the result has to justify the blood draw, the course and the price.
In The Ageless Blueprint, Dr Leah gives four separate ratings for PRP by area and a fifth for PRF, and explains why the scores differ so much between the under-eyes, scars, hair and the full face. This page covers what both treatments involve.What PRP and PRF are
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. A sample of your blood is taken from the arm or hand and spun in a centrifuge to separate out a platelet-rich portion, which is then injected into or applied to the treatment area to support repair and collagen production. PRF, platelet-rich fibrin, is also prepared from your blood but forms a fibrin network that may release its growth factors more slowly. The medical literature has not established that one is better than the other as a facial treatment.
Both are offered for general facial skin quality, where the improvement is usually a modest change in texture and fine lines. PRP is also used under the eyes for dark circles linked to thin skin, mild hollows and fine lines, as part of scar treatment plans, and for pattern hair loss in men and women. Because the treatment is made from the patient’s own blood, it appeals to people who want to avoid synthetic products.
Generally used for
- Tired-looking or dark under-eyes with thin skin, mild hollows and fine lines
- Early surgical scars and selected older scars
- Thinning hair where follicles are still active
What the guide covers that this page does not
- Dr Leah’s separate ratings out of 10 for the under-eyes, scars, hair and the full face
- Why Dr Leah finds PRP more compelling for some concerns than for a general facial refresh
- The eye type for which Dr Leah thinks PRP beats polynucleotides
- How Dr Leah arrived at a PRF rating without offering PRF in clinic
What to expect
| Results | Gradual and subtle for the face: fresher-looking skin, softer texture and fine lines over a course. Under the eyes, gradual improvement without the look of conventional filler. For hair, preserved density and sometimes additional hairs. A scar can improve but will not be erased. |
|---|---|
| How long it lasts | Results build over the course and vary by person and by area. There is no manufacturer figure, since the product is your own blood. Hair treatment usually needs ongoing sessions to maintain the effect. |
| Appointment and downtime | Longer than most injectable appointments because blood is drawn and processed first. Taking blood can be difficult in some patients. Small raised blebs may show on the skin for several hours; bruising or swelling can last longer. |
| What can go wrong | Discomfort from the blood draw and the injections. Bruising and swelling are the usual effects. Infection is possible with any injection. The main disappointment is a result smaller than expected, particularly for a full-face course. |
| Cost | Typically £250 to £500 per session for the face and £300 to £600 per session for hair in UK clinics. Because the face needs a course of three and hair four to six, the course total matters more than the single price. |
Five things to ask before you book
- Are you proposing PRP or PRF, and what evidence do you have for choosing one over the other for my concern?
- How is my blood processed, and how much platelet concentration does your system produce?
- How many sessions will I need in total, and what is the cost of the whole course rather than one session?
- For my hair, is PRP likely to help at this stage, or should I be considering a transplant?
- Would polynucleotides or another treatment give me a similar result with less discomfort and time?
Dr Leah’s verdict is in the guide
Chapter 7 of The Ageless Blueprint gives five ratings out of 10: PRP for the under-eyes, for scars, for pattern hair loss and for overall facial skin quality, plus PRF for the face. It explains why Dr Leah finds some uses far more worthwhile than others, where PRP suits eyes that are prone to puffiness, when thinning hair has progressed too far for PRP to help, and why Dr Leah thinks a general facial refresh is often delivered more efficiently by other treatments. Four pages, with illustrations.
This page gives general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified practitioner who can assess your face, skin and medical history. Prices are typical UK ranges, accurate as of September 2026, and vary between clinics. For adults aged 18 and over.
Common questions
Both are prepared from your own blood in a centrifuge. PRP is platelet-rich plasma. PRF is platelet-rich fibrin, which forms a fibrin network that may release growth factors more gradually. Published comparisons have not shown that either gives consistently better cosmetic results than the other.
It can help pattern hair loss while the hair is thinning and follicles are still active, preserving existing hair and improving visible density. It cannot create new follicles or restore an area that is already bald. Dr Leah’s rating for it, and when a transplant is the better option, are in the guide.
For the face and under-eyes, a course of three is standard, and the same applies to PRF. For hair loss, plan for four to six sessions. Improvement is gradual rather than immediate.