PRP vs. PRF: Which of Hailey Bieber's Go-To Skin Treatments Should You Try?

What if we told you that your blood contains healing properties that can be injected back into your skin to help address pesky issues like acne scars? If you've ever been intrigued by the idea of a vampire facial, you know what we're talking about, as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments have long been a staple in the world of dermatology. And recently, a newer type of regenerative treatment called platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)—which also harnesses the blood's own benefits to rejuvenate skin—is generating buzz for its potential to offer longer-lasting results. Hailey Bieber recently shared that she gets both treatments in a recent interview on Owen Thiele's In Your Dreams podcast, becoming the latest in a wave of celebrities and skincare enthusiasts to praise its benefits.

Both of the above treatments use the body’s own platelets to trigger collagen production and skin repair—but is one better than the other for treating issues like fine lines or dark circles? Ahead, we asked two dermatologists and a plastic surgeon everything you need to know about PRP and PRF, from what differentiates the two treatments to how to choose which to get for yourself.

What Is PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, therapy is a type of treatment that injects platelets from your own blood back into your body for various forms of healing. Some of the possible benefits include improvements in skin quality—like fine lines, acne scars, and crepey skin—as well as reducing pigment irregularities, minimizing hair shedding and stimulating growth, and faster wound healing.

If you're getting a PRP treatment, a healthcare provider will first draw a small amount of blood from your arm. The blood is then spun in a centrifuge to separate its different components, including platelets concentrated in plasma. Then, your provider will inject the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) back into your body in an area of concern. For example, injecting it into the scalp can promote hair growth, or targeting areas of the face can improve acne scars or sun damage. A vampire facial entails using PRP alongside microneedling to improve skin tone and texture, blur acne scarring, and stimulate collagen production in the face and neck.

"When I inject or microneedle PRP into [the] skin or scalp, those signals recruit your body’s healing machinery to stimulate repair and regeneration, remodel collagen, improve microcirculation, and support healthier hair follicles and skin," says board-certified dermatologist Jessie Cheung, MD. "Think of PRP as a biological booster to improve tissue function and quality."

What Is PRF?

Platelet-rich fibrin, or PRF, injections are similar to PRP in that they use your blood to rejuvenate and heal the skin. In a PRF treatment, the fibrin injected into the skin contains platelets along with white blood cells and stem cells.

"This is a soft gel that traps platelets and leukocytes in a matrix that acts like a slow-release of growth factors," Cheung says. "PRF has the benefits of PRP with more gradual, sustained effects."

Often described as a next-generation version of PRP, PRF can serve many different skincare purposes, including to treat the under-eye area, improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and improve healing after treatments like microneedling. "In the face, PRF behaves like a very natural, bio-stimulating filler that improves skin quality and creates subtle volume," Cheung adds.

Which One Should You Get?

For Dark Under-Eye Circles

Experts often consider PRF the better option for addressing hollows and dark circles under the eyes. It's good for treating the under-eyes or tear troughs because it can improve the contour while also supporting gradual improvements in skin quality, says board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Jimmy C. Sung, MD.

PRF's fibrin matrix forms a soft, gel-like scaffold that provides gentle volume and structural support, helping to fill hollows and support fragile and thin under-eye skin, Cheung explains. "It’s more forgiving than hyaluronic acid fillers, which can sometimes cause swelling or visible irregularities in this delicate region," she says.

PRP may offer some regenerative benefits in the under-eye region and lighten dark circles, but with PRF, the growth factors release more slowly, which may enhance the benefits. "While PRP is well-established and effective, PRF’s consistency and sustained action make it especially suitable for under-eye rejuvenation," Cheung says. 

Fine Lines

PRP and PRF are both effective for reducing fine lines, but PRF may win out as the better choice thanks to its higher concentration of growth factors, says board-certified dermatologist Peterson Pierre, MD. "PRF also has a slow sustained release of growth factors for up to a week, whereas with PRP, this happens over a few hours," he says.

Acne Scars

PRP and PRF can both improve the appearance of acne scars by stimulating tissue repair and collagen production, but PRF is typically considered a more effective option. PRP delivers the growth factors quickly after the injection, but with PRF, the release is slower and more sustained. "In addition, PRF helps with cell regeneration that improves hollows and acne scars," Pierre says.

Hair Growth

PRP and PRF can both can potentially help with hair growth and restoration. "PRP has been extensively studied and is proven to stimulate hair growth, increase density, and reduce shedding," Cheung says. "PRF is the next-generation evolution. It’s spun at a lower speed, so it retains more white blood cells, fibrin matrix, and even stem cell precursors." This allows for a more sustained release of growth factors, which may extend the effect over days rather than hours, she explains.

The Final Takeaway

Both PRP and PRF tap into the body's healing mechanisms to rejuvenate skin—especially for concerns like fine lines, acne scars, and under-eye hollows and dark circles, But PRF may win out as the better option in most cases.

"While the published data is still catching up, early studies and clinical experience are showing strong promise for PRF in multiple applications, from skin rejuvenation and scar remodeling to hair restoration and under-eyes," Cheung says. "The science supports PRF as a logical evolution of PRP, leveraging the same regenerative principles with a more sophisticated delivery system."