For Those Curious About PRF
Hearing the description "we draw your blood and put it back into your skin" for the first time can feel a little unfamiliar. As autologous blood-based procedures have grown in popularity, more people are coming across the name "PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin)." But when asked exactly what PRF is and how it differs from the PRP many have heard of, organised information can be surprisingly hard to find.
In this guide, Director Dr. Kim Gun-woo of Cellinique on Gangnam Dosan-daero explains the principles behind PRF, and walks through the process from blood draw to centrifugation and treatment. If you would like to compare PRF side-by-side with other autologous approaches such as Novastem and SVF, we recommend reading the Novastem vs SVF vs PRF comparison guide alongside this one. This article focuses on PRF alone.
Three-point summary
1. PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) is a treatment that uses a fibrin (fibrous protein) structure containing platelets, white blood cells, and growth factors, obtained by drawing the patient's own blood and processing it through centrifugation. The key point is that it is autologous blood-based — no foreign material is introduced.
2. Despite the similar name, PRF differs from PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) in how it is prepared. PRF uses no anticoagulant, relies on a comparatively simple single centrifugation, and growth factors are reported in the literature to be released slowly and continuously.
3. PRF is not a stem cell treatment. The degree and duration of any effect varies considerably between individuals, and studies also report a tendency for changes to diminish over time — identical results cannot be guaranteed for everyone. The specific plan is decided in a pre-treatment consultation.
1. What Is PRF? The Principles of Platelet-Rich Fibrin
PRF stands for Platelet-Rich Fibrin. Breaking it down, it means "a fibrin structure rich in platelets, obtained from the patient's own blood." Two things matter here. One is autologous — it starts from your own blood, not from someone else or an external source. The other is fibrin — the net-like protein structure formed when blood coagulates.
The mechanism is easy to understand this way. When drawn blood is centrifuged, it separates into layers by weight. The layer where platelets, white blood cells, and the growth factors they carry are collected within the fibrin mesh is separated and used. Because of the fibrin mesh structure, the growth factors trapped inside tend to be released slowly over time rather than all at once, as reported in the literature.
💡 Fact-check ✓
Source: Sollitto et al., Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025 (PMID 41190633 · PMC12587466) systematic review
- PRF is described as a three-dimensional fibrin matrix formed by centrifugation, with a structure that traps platelets and white blood cells within it.
- Compared to PRP, which releases growth factors relatively quickly and transiently, PRF shows a tendency to release growth factors more continuously (up to approximately two weeks in the literature).
- However, the degree and duration of any effect vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.
One point should be made clear. PRF is a treatment that separates and uses platelet- and growth factor-containing fibrin from autologous blood — it is not a "stem cell treatment" that extracts, cultures, or injects stem cells. Confusion sometimes arises from the name or the word "regeneration," but the core of PRF is not stem cells: it is platelets, the growth factors they carry, and the fibrin structure. This distinction is important for understanding the treatment and forming realistic expectations.
2. PRF vs PRP — What Is the Difference?
The most common question when explaining PRF is "Isn't that the same as PRP?" The names are similar and both start from autologous blood, but there are differences in preparation method and the pattern of growth factor release. PRP is often described as first-generation technology, and PRF as the next generation.
💡 Fact-check ✓
Source: Sollitto et al., Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025 (PMID 41190633 · PMC12587466) systematic review
- PRP: uses an anticoagulant and undergoes a comparatively intensive (e.g. double centrifugation) separation process, and is described as releasing growth factors quickly and transiently.
- PRF: creates a fibrin mesh structure through a slower single centrifugation without anticoagulant, and a tendency to release growth factors more slowly and over a longer period is reported in the literature.
- It is not possible to conclude that either is "always superior"; suitability depends on the individual's condition.
| Category | PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) | PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) |
|---|---|---|
| Source material | Patient's own blood (autologous) | Patient's own blood (autologous) |
| Anticoagulant | Reported to not use anticoagulant | Generally used |
| Separation method | Comparatively simple single centrifugation | Comparatively intensive (e.g. double) centrifugation |
| Structure | Contains fibrin mesh structure | Platelet concentrate in plasma |
| Growth factor release pattern | Comparatively slow and continuous (per literature) | Comparatively fast and transient (per literature) |
One-line summary
Both start from your own blood, but PRF is made by simple centrifugation without anticoagulant, forming a fibrin structure from which growth factors tend to be released more slowly, as reported in the literature. Which is more appropriate for you is decided in a pre-treatment consultation.
3. What Does the PRF Treatment Process Look Like?
What distinguishes PRF from other injection-based procedures is that "your own blood is drawn that same day, processed on-site, and used immediately." At Cellinique, the procedure follows these steps.
- Pre-treatment consultation and skin/health assessment — Director Dr. Kim Gun-woo personally reviews skin condition, prior treatment history, current medications, and blood-draw precautions (anaemia, bleeding tendency, etc.). Whether PRF is suitable is usually determined at this stage.
- Blood draw — A small amount of your own blood is collected. The process is similar to a routine blood draw.
- Centrifugation — The drawn blood is placed in a centrifuge to separate into layers by weight. The fibrin layer containing platelets and growth factors is separated at this stage.
- Fibrin separation and preparation — The separated PRF layer is prepared in the form appropriate for treatment. (Whether it is used in liquid form or combined with other procedures varies depending on the area and goal.)
- Application — The prepared PRF is applied according to the area and goal. (Application depth and method are designed individually for each condition; whether to combine with other procedures such as microneedling is decided in consultation.)
- Aftercare and next-session guidance — Post-treatment precautions, recovery checkpoints, and the recommended interval for the next session if needed are explained separately.
💡 A note from patients — Among those receiving PRF for the first time, some say "I was nervous about having my own blood drawn and used again, but having the blood draw and centrifugation process explained in advance put my mind at ease." Recovery and change patterns do vary considerably between individuals, so please feel free to contact Cellinique if you notice anything.
4. What Concerns Is PRF Reviewed For?
PRF is not a treatment we recommend for everyone. In consultations, we typically review PRF as a possibility for patients who describe the following concerns.
If any of these sounds like you
- You prefer an autologous blood-based approach over treatments involving external material
- You are concerned about skin surface quality such as texture and fine lines
- You are considering texture and elasticity in delicate areas such as the eye area and cheeks
- Rather than a one-time effect, you are thinking about treatment within a long-term skin management plan
Of course, having these concerns does not mean PRF is always the answer. It means PRF is one of the options to be reviewed in consultation. If you would like to compare broadly across autologous approaches, please refer to the Novastem vs SVF vs PRF comparison guide. Actual suitability is determined in a pre-treatment consultation based on your individual circumstances.
Situations where we proceed with caution
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if pregnancy is planned
- Active infection or inflammation at the treatment site
- Blood disorders, anaemia, or bleeding tendency; or current use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents (advance confirmation is needed given the blood-draw nature of the procedure)
- Immunosuppressant use or a history of autoimmune disease
- A history of allergy to components or local anaesthetics
If any of the above applies to you, please be sure to mention it in advance during the pre-treatment consultation. We will confirm whether treatment is possible and, if necessary, discuss other care options with you.
5. What About Efficacy and Duration?
Regarding PRF's efficacy, we think it is most appropriate to be straightforward. While studies have reported changes in skin texture and the like, the degree and duration of such changes vary considerably between individuals, and a tendency for effects to diminish after a certain period is also reported alongside these findings.
💡 Fact-check ✓
Source: Hu et al., Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2021 (PMID 32816021) split-face comparison study · Sollitto et al., J Cosmet Dermatol 2025 (PMID 41190633) systematic review
- In one split-face comparison study (n=30, cheek and nasolabial areas), the PRF matrix side showed statistically significant improvement in skin texture indices compared to the saline side, but a pattern of diminishing difference between the two sides over time (around the 12-week mark) was also reported.
- The systematic review describes a tendency for PRF's improvement effects to decrease over time (e.g. around the six-month mark).
- The degree and duration of any effect vary considerably between individuals, and identical results cannot be guaranteed.
For this reason, we do not present PRF as a treatment that is "completed in one session." Acknowledging that any changes may diminish with time, a realistic approach is to design the cycle and combination within a long-term management plan. There is also a reported tendency for greater satisfaction when PRF is combined with other procedures such as microneedling or laser, rather than used alone — the right design for you is worked out in consultation.
6. How Is Downtime and Recovery Managed?
Because PRF is autologous, concerns about rejection of foreign material are considered relatively lower, but as a medical procedure involving injection and blood draw, the possibility of side effects is not zero. Downtime varies depending on the area, extent of treatment, and individual healing capacity.
Reactions commonly explained immediately after treatment
- Temporary swelling or redness at the treatment site
- Injection marks or mild bruising (when these occur, they often resolve within a few days)
- Temporary bruising or tenderness at the blood-draw site
- Temporary tenderness or tightness
First 24 hours after treatment
- Please avoid irritating skincare products, heat, and vigorous cleansing
- Light make-up may be resumed while monitoring the condition of the treatment site
- If you notice any change in condition, please feel free to contact Cellinique
First week after treatment
- Please refrain from saunas, steam rooms, and intense exercise
- Please be diligent with sun protection
- It is advisable to reduce alcohol and smoking where possible
The key point is that recovery patterns differ from person to person, so it helps to discuss and plan the recovery process and treatment schedule in advance.
7. Safety Standards and Precautions
PRF is a legitimate medical procedure, so it is not possible to say it carries no risk. Because it involves handling autologous blood, hygiene and aseptic management during the blood draw, processing, and preparation steps are especially important — Cellinique allocates ample time for consultation, blood draw, processing, and follow-up review.
💡 Fact-check ✓
Source: Sollitto et al., Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025 (PMID 41190633 · PMC12587466) systematic review
- The systematic review describes PRP and PRF as having a comparatively favourable safety profile, with reported adverse reactions generally being mild and transient reactions such as swelling, redness, and bruising.
- However, side effects are possible even when the procedure is performed appropriately, and because blood draw and injection are involved, infection, nodules, or allergic reactions may occur rarely.
- The frequency and recovery pattern of side effects vary between individuals.
Commonly reported reactions
- Temporary swelling, redness, or bruising at the treatment or blood-draw site (most resolve within a few days)
- Mild tenderness or warmth, rarely
- Infection, allergic reactions, or persistent nodules, very rarely
Situations requiring immediate contact with Cellinique
- Severe swelling, warmth, or redness at the treatment site
- Fever or chills
- A nodule that remains firm or continues to grow for more than two weeks
- A suspected allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, etc.)
Things you must disclose before treatment
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding status (including if pregnancy is planned)
- Blood disorders, anaemia, or bleeding tendency; current medications (especially anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, or immunosuppressants)
- Allergy history (including local anaesthetics)
- Active infection or autoimmune disease history
- Recent procedures you have received (interval and sequencing may need adjustment)
Side effects, emergency responses, contraindications, and infection-control standards that apply to all procedures can be reviewed in detail on the Cellinique Procedure Safety Guide page. If you are considering PRF, we recommend looking through it before treatment.
8. How Cellinique Manages PRF
Cellinique is an anti-aging dermatology clinic on Gangnam Dosan-daero. For procedures like PRF — where hygiene and consistency during blood draw, centrifugation, and application directly influence the stability of results — we consider it important to have the treating physician personally oversee the entire process.
Director Dr. Kim Gun-woo personally handles everything from pre-treatment consultation through blood draw, processing, application, and follow-up review. Because the procedure involves autologous blood, aseptic and hygiene protocols and evidence-based consultation are treated as a priority; details regarding qualifications and training history are provided during consultation.
The Dosan-daero location also makes return visits and follow-up review convenient — an advantage for a treatment like PRF where changes are observed over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Is PRF a stem cell treatment?
No. PRF is a treatment that separates and uses a fibrin (fibrous protein) structure containing platelets, white blood cells, and growth factors from your own blood — it is not a treatment that extracts, cultures, or injects stem cells. Confusion is easy because of the word "regeneration," but the core of PRF is not stem cells: it is platelets, growth factors, and the fibrin structure.
Q2. What is the difference between PRF and PRP?
Both start from your own blood (autologous), but the preparation method differs. PRP uses an anticoagulant and undergoes comparatively intensive centrifugation, and is reported to release growth factors quickly and transiently. PRF creates a fibrin structure by simple centrifugation without anticoagulant, releasing growth factors more slowly and over a longer period, as reported in the literature. Which is appropriate for you is decided in a pre-treatment consultation.
Q3. Is it really my own blood that is used? Will it hurt?
Yes — a small amount of your own blood is drawn, centrifuged, and then used in the treatment. The blood draw is similar to a routine draw, and for application, local anaesthesia may be considered depending on the area. Pain sensitivity varies between individuals, so please mention any concerns in advance during the consultation.
Q4. How long do the effects last?
Studies have reported changes in skin texture and the like, but the degree and duration of such changes vary considerably between individuals, and a tendency for effects to diminish after a certain period is also reported. Rather than "completed in one session," it is more realistic to design the cycle and combination within a long-term management plan. Please discuss with us during a pre-treatment consultation what changes you can reasonably expect for your situation.
Q5. Is one session enough, or do I need multiple sessions?
The recommended number of sessions and interval vary depending on skin condition, goals, and area. Given that effects may diminish over time, a schedule with a certain interval between sessions is usually considered, but there is no single "correct number" — an individualised plan is worked out together at the first consultation.
Q6. Can PRF be combined with other treatments?
Whether combination is possible depends on the type, timing, and recovery status of procedures you are currently receiving. There is a reported tendency for greater satisfaction when PRF is combined with procedures such as microneedling or laser, but several procedures are not grouped together at the same time — interval and sequencing need to be planned to ensure safety. Please tell us accurately about your current procedures and medications in a pre-treatment consultation so we can coordinate appropriately.
Q7. What side effects and precautions should I be aware of?
Given that the procedure involves injection and blood draw, temporary swelling, redness, or bruising at the treatment or blood-draw site may occur, and mild tenderness or warmth rarely, and infection or allergic reactions very rarely. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have active infection, blood disorders, bleeding tendency, are taking anticoagulants or immunosuppressants, have autoimmune disease, or have a component allergy, please be sure to mention this in the pre-treatment consultation. Whether and to what degree side effects occur varies between individuals.
Q8. How are PRF, SVF, and Novastem different?
All three have in common that they are autologous, but the source material and approach differ. PRF is a blood-based autologous procedure using platelets, growth factors, and fibrin obtained from blood. If you would like to compare all three in one place, please refer to the Novastem vs SVF vs PRF comparison guide. Which approach is right for you is decided in a pre-treatment consultation.
Q9. Can I just have a consultation without committing to treatment?
Of course. Because PRF is a treatment whose design varies depending on area, goal, and sequencing with other procedures, we encourage you to fully understand it through a consultation before deciding. If you would like a consultation only, regardless of whether you proceed with treatment, please feel free to contact us by phone at 02-6203-3434 or via KakaoTalk. (Consultation and treatment fees vary depending on individual condition and design, and will be explained during the consultation.)
Closing Thoughts
PRF is not a treatment to receive simply based on the impression of "regeneration using your own blood." It is a treatment to be reviewed through pre-treatment consultation and skin assessment, with an understanding of how the platelets, growth factors, and fibrin structure obtained from autologous blood work. What matters is not the name or impression, but whether that action genuinely fits your skin and goals — and whether you have a realistic understanding of the individual variation in effects and duration.
At Cellinique on Gangnam Dosan-daero, Director Dr. Kim Gun-woo personally handles everything from the first consultation through blood draw, processing, application, and follow-up review. If you are interested in PRF, we recommend starting with a consultation to discuss your skin condition and care goals openly. For a comparison with other autologous approaches, please see the Novastem vs SVF vs PRF comparison guide; for common safety standards, please see the Cellinique Procedure Safety Guide.
✅ Fact-check completion report
The key medical information in this article has been verified against the following sources.
- Sollitto et al., Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025 (PMID 41190633 · PMC12587466) — Systematic review of PRP vs PRF for periorbital rejuvenation. PRF = three-dimensional fibrin matrix trapping platelets and white blood cells, single centrifugation without anticoagulant, continuous growth factor release (up to approx. two weeks), tendency for effects to diminish over time, comparatively favourable safety profile (mild and transient adverse reactions)
- Hu et al., Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2021 (PMID 32816021) — Split-face comparison study of PRF matrix (n=30): significant improvement in skin texture indices and pattern of diminishing difference between sides around the 12-week mark
- Distinction between autologous blood and stem cells — PRF is a procedure using platelets, growth factors, and fibrin structure derived from the patient's own blood; it is not a procedure involving the extraction, culture, or injection of stem cells, as explicitly stated throughout the body text.
- Verified items: PRF definition and mechanism (fibrin structure, continuous growth factor release), difference from PRP, individual variation in effects and duration, safety and side effect possibility. The degree, duration, and specific figures of effects are not stated definitively due to individual variation and uncertainty; stem cell exaggeration is not used.
Medical disclaimer
This content is provided for general health information purposes only. Individual diagnosis, procedural suitability, and expected outcomes must be determined through a prior consultation with a qualified physician. All medical procedures carry individual variation and the possibility of side effects.
Cellinique Consultation & Booking
2F, B1, Yeonseung Building, 228 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Phone 02-6203-3434
Hours Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 / Last Saturday of each month 10:00–16:30
