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I get asked this question almost every week.
What's the difference between PRP and PRF? And which one should I train in first?
Fair question. The regenerative medicine space has exploded. And honestly, a lot of the marketing out there just confuses things. So let me break it down the way I explain it to my own students at Dermaskills Academy.
No jargon for the sake of it. Just what actually matters when you're sitting in front of a patient.

First, a quick story from my clinic

About eight months ago, a gentleman in his early fifties came to see me at Rejuven8 in Birmingham. He'd been losing his hair for years. Tried the shampoos, the supplements, the expensive lotions that promised miracles. Nothing worked.
He'd heard about PRP but was sceptical. Fair enough.
We talked through both options. I explained that PRP would give him a good result likely some thickening and reduced shedding. But PRF? PRF could give him more. Slower release of growth factors. Longer-lasting results. Less downtime.
He chose PRF. We did three sessions over six months. His hairdresser noticed the difference after the second. He noticed after the third. That's when I knew people need to understand the difference between these two treatments. Not just patients. Practitioners too.

So what's the actual difference?

Both PRP and PRF come from the patient's own blood. That's the non-negotiable starting point. But how we process that blood changes everything.
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) uses a high-speed centrifuge usually around 1500 to 3000 RPM. We add an anticoagulant to stop the blood from clotting during processing. What we get is a liquid concentrate of platelets. Injectable. Effective. But it releases its growth factors quickly, over a few days to a week.
PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) is different. Lower speed centrifugation, around 1300 to 1500 RPM. No anticoagulants. No activators. The blood clots naturally during the spin, forming a fibrin matrix. That matrix traps platelets and leukocytes, creating a slow-release scaffold that releases growth factors over seven to fourteen days sometimes longer.
That's not marketing spin. That's the published science, and I've referenced it in my reading. A mini review from late 2025 confirmed that injectable PRF (PRF) is more effective than PRP for skin regeneration, accounting for a more sustained and long-lasting release of growth factors and proving more effective in most comparative studies.

Why the difference matters for your patients

Patients don't care about centrifugation protocols. They care about results.
Here's the honest truth from my treatment records:
PRP is excellent for general rejuvenation. Fine lines, mild skin texture issues, early hair thinning. It's reliable. Well-studied. Patients see improvement within a few weeks.
PRF is better for stubborn cases. Significant hair loss where PRP hasn't worked. Moderate to severe acne scarring. Pronounced under-eye hollows. Deeper wrinkles that need sustained collagen stimulation over months.
The trade-off? PRF preparation is more technique-sensitive. The fibrin matrix needs to be handled carefully you can't just draw it up and inject like PRP. That's why proper training matters. And why I won't teach PRF to anyone who hasn't mastered the fundamentals first.

What we actually teach at Dermaskills Academy

I don't do theoryonly training. My students come to my CQCregulated clinic in Birmingham. They see my real patients. They use the same equipment I use every day.
Our PRP and PRF Skin and Hair Restoration Training is a oneday CPDaccredited course. £950. Small groups never more than four delegates, sometimes one-to-one.
Here's exactly what we cover:

Morning session (theory and science):

Blood draw (you must already be phlebotomy competent I don't teach that here)
Centrifuge protocols for both PRP and PRF (they are NOT the same)
Processing differences: anticoagulants vs fibrin matrix formation
Patient selection and realistic expectations

Afternoon session (handson practical):

Live demonstration on a model
Supervised handson practice
Mesotherapy injection techniques for facial and scalp application
Microneedling combinations
Posttreatment protocols and complication management

Business session (because we're not doing charity work):

Pricing your PRP versus PRF treatments
Scripts for explaining the difference to patients
Consent forms and aftercare
Followup scheduling (typically three sessions, sixweek intervals)

The full syllabus includes:

Facial rejuvenation and the "Vampire Facial" via mesotherapy
Undereye rejuvenation using PRF
Neck, décolletage and hand rejuvenation
Acne scarring, stretch marks and skin texture improvement
Nonsurgical hair restoration for androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness)
Posthair transplant enhancement
You also get exclusive supplier discounts on medical-grade PRP and PRF equipment once you've completed the course.

Who this course is for and who it's not

This should be clear from the start.

Open to regulated medical professionals only:

Doctors, dentists, surgeons, nurses
Dental hygienists and therapists
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs)
Pharmacists, paramedics and physician associates

Essential prerequisites:

Independent phlebotomy competence (non-negotiable)
Previous microneedling training with current practice
Not required: mesotherapy training before the course we teach the injection techniques for PRP and PRF delivery on the day.

A note on UK compliance

I'm the CQC Registered Manager and Nominated Individual for Rejuven8 Skin Clinic. That means I am legally responsible for every treatment performed there. I don't cut corners on safety or regulatory standards.
If you train with me, you learn how to run a UKcompliant regenerative medicine practice. That means:
Proper clinical waste disposal
Sharps management
Consent protocols that would survive a CQC inspection
Insurance signposting (your certificate is recognised for insurance and professional development, with 12 CPD hours including mandatory prestudy)
I've seen clinics shut down because they didn't take this stuff seriously. I won't let my students be those clinics.

What students actually ask me

How much can I charge for PRF compared to PRP?

That depends on your location and patient base. In Birmingham, I charge roughly 30% more for PRF than PRP. It's a premium service because it delivers premium results. We cover pricing strategy in detail during the course.

Do I need both PRP and PRF in my offering?

Absolutely. Offer PRP as your entrylevel regenerative treatment. Offer PRF as your upgrade. Patients appreciate having options, and you appreciate the higher margin.

What's the hardest part of learning PRF?

The fibrin clot. Handling it without damaging the matrix takes practice. That's why you do it on a real model under supervision, not on a fake skin pad.

Ready to train?

A few practical things.
Course length: One day. 12 CPD hours including mandatory prestudy.
Location: Rejuven8 Training, Birmingham. My actual clinic. Not a hotel conference room.
Group size: Maximum four delegates. Often one-to-one.
Cost: £950, including all materials, models, certification, lunch and refreshments.
Next steps: Book your deposit to secure your place and kit. You'll receive prestudy materials before the day.
Postcourse support: Followup calls, consent forms, price guides, and supplier introductions for discounted equipment.

Final thought

I've been doing aesthetics since 2002. I've seen treatments come and go. Glutathione. Vitamin drips. Questionable "stem cell" creams.
PRP is not a fad. It's been around for decades in orthopaedics and dentistry, and it's here to stay in aesthetics. PRF is the natural evolution more concentrated, slower release, better results for stubborn cases.
The practitioner who only knows PRP is offering today's standard. The practitioner who knows both PRP and PRF is offering tomorrow's.
That's what I teach. That's what my students leave with.