PRP. PRF. Three letters each, plenty of beauty buzz, and one very reasonable question: what do they actually do?
If you have been exploring treatments for skin quality or thinning hair, you have probably seen these names. They belong to a group of treatments that use a prepared sample of your own blood, with the aim of supporting tissue repair or selected hair-growth concerns.
At Enrich by Naseema in Lusaka, our treatment menu includes PRP, PRF and Microneedling with PRF, alongside PRP and PRF options for scalp and hair care.
Understanding the differences makes it easier to have a useful consultation. Here is what those letters mean, what the research tells us, and how to decide whether either treatment deserves a place in your self-care plan.
What is PRP
PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. Plasma is the liquid part of blood, while platelets help with clotting and carry proteins involved in tissue repair.
For PRP, a small blood sample is collected and processed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins it to separate its components. The practitioner collects a portion containing a higher concentration of platelets than ordinary blood.
Those platelets release growth factors: signalling proteins that influence how nearby cells behave. In aesthetic care, the aim is to use those signals to support changes in skin quality. In scalp treatment, PRP is studied for its potential to support hair growth in certain forms of hair loss.
The biological idea is interesting. How much visible benefit it produces depends on the condition, preparation and treatment protocol; the mechanism does not guarantee a result.
What is PRF
PRF stands for Platelet-Rich Fibrin. It also starts with a sample of your own blood, but its preparation differs from conventional PRP.
Conventional PRP generally uses an anticoagulant to keep the blood from clotting during preparation. PRF is commonly prepared without an added anticoagulant, allowing fibrin, a protein involved in clot formation, to develop a supporting network.
Think of fibrin as a fine mesh that can hold platelets and other blood components. Some aesthetic protocols use injectable PRF, which is initially liquid before its fibrin network develops. Preparation methods vary, so the name alone does not tell you exactly how a treatment is performed.
Laboratory research has found differences in how PRP and injectable PRF release particular growth factors, including a more sustained release of some factors with PRF. That explains some of the interest in it. Laboratory findings, however, do not prove that PRF delivers better cosmetic results or lasts longer in every person.
What can PRP and PRF do for skin
PRP and PRF are used in aesthetic practice with the aim of improving aspects of skin quality, including the appearance of fine lines and changes in texture or elasticity.
The evidence needs a little perspective. A 2025 systematic review found the strongest evidence of improvement in skin thickness and elasticity, while findings for wrinkles and texture were less consistent. Another PRP review reported possible benefits but also substantial differences between studies.
This means a responsible treatment plan should explain the likely benefit for your particular concern, the uncertainty, and the alternatives. PRP or PRF cannot promise to erase every line, lift the face like surgery or reproduce someone else’s results.
For acne scarring, a practitioner may consider a combination approach that includes microneedling. The type of scar and the condition of the skin matter, and improvement in a combined treatment cannot automatically be attributed to the platelet preparation alone.
What about the under-eye area
The under-eye area deserves a careful assessment. Dark circles can reflect different issues, including pigment, visible vessels or shadows from facial anatomy, so one treatment will not address every cause.
Research on PRP and PRF for this area remains mixed. They should not be presented as a guaranteed way to remove dark circles or replace lost volume. Ask the treating clinician which concern is being targeted and whether an injectable treatment is appropriate.
Can PRP and PRF help with thinning hair
Platelet treatments are also used on the scalp. PRP has been studied particularly for androgenetic alopecia, commonly called pattern hair loss, which can affect women and men.
A review of randomized trials found that PRP may improve hair density in this condition, but the studies varied substantially and the authors called for stronger evidence. It is a possible treatment option, rather than a cure for every kind of hair loss.
PRF is also being investigated for hair growth, although the evidence base is smaller and does not establish that it is superior to PRP.
The first step is finding out why the hair is thinning. Sudden shedding, patchy loss, scalp inflammation or suspected nutritional or hormonal issues may need medical investigation. A platelet treatment will not necessarily address an untreated underlying cause.
At Enrich, our scalp and hair treatment menu includes both PRP and PRF. Ask our team about a consultation, the available protocol and whether a medical assessment is needed before treatment.
How microneedling fits into the picture
Microneedling and platelet treatments are different procedures. Microneedling uses fine needles to create controlled punctures in the skin. Depending on the device and indication, it can be used to improve the appearance of certain scars and wrinkles.
PRP or PRF refers to the blood-derived preparation. A proposed treatment may involve injections, a microneedling combination, or another specific protocol. These approaches should not be treated as interchangeable.
Enrich offers Microneedling with PRF. Before booking, ask what the session includes, how the PRF is used, who performs the procedure and what recovery to expect.
You may also hear the phrase vampire facial. It is a marketing nickname often associated with PRP and needling, rather than a precise treatment specification. The details of the actual procedure matter much more than the nickname.
What happens during an appointment
A platelet-treatment appointment generally involves an assessment, a blood draw, preparation of the sample and treatment of the agreed area. The application method depends on the plan.
At Enrich, your pre-treatment conversation is the opportunity to explain what you would like to improve and ask questions about suitability, expected benefit and cost. Our published PRF service information describes an assessment before blood collection and treatment.
Before proceeding, you should understand:
- Which concern is being treated and why this approach is appropriate.
- Whether the session involves injections, microneedling or both.
- Who will perform the procedure and their relevant qualifications.
- The expected recovery, possible risks and recommended review schedule.
- The estimated cost of the proposed course, including any maintenance.
Bring your questions. Understanding the plan is part of the appointment.
Does treatment hurt and is there downtime
A blood draw and needling can cause discomfort. A clinician may discuss suitable numbing or comfort measures, but describing PRP or PRF as completely painless would be misleading.
Injection treatments can cause tenderness, swelling or bruising. Microneedling can leave skin red or sensitive and may cause peeling during recovery. How long this lasts depends on the method, area treated and individual response.
Give yourself recovery time if you are planning around photographs, a wedding or an important event. The temporary fullness after an injection may be swelling; it is not a reliable preview of the eventual result.
When might results appear
If you respond to treatment, changes are usually assessed over weeks to months. An immediate glow or temporary swelling cannot tell you how much lasting improvement you will get.
Your practitioner may recommend a course and later maintenance, but there is no universal number of sessions or guaranteed duration of results. Ask when your progress will be reviewed and what would prompt a change of plan.
Consistent photographs under similar lighting are more useful than comparing a flattering selfie with a harsh bathroom mirror.
Is treatment suitable for everyone
Using your own blood does not remove the need for medical screening or sterile handling. Possible risks include infection, bleeding, bruising and tissue injury; needling can also cause scarring or pigment changes.
Tell the treating clinician about medical conditions, bleeding or platelet disorders, medicines and supplements, allergies, active skin or scalp infections, and previous reactions to procedures. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss whether an elective treatment should be deferred. Suitability requires an individual assessment.
Do not stop prescribed medication, including blood thinners, simply to prepare for a beauty treatment. Any change needs advice from the clinician responsible for prescribing it.
Preparing for treatment and caring for the area afterwards
Preparation and aftercare should match your procedure. Advice for facial microneedling is not automatically the same as advice for scalp injections.
Before treatment, ask for written instructions. Arrive adequately hydrated and follow the team’s guidance about eating before the blood draw. Tell them about recent procedures, irritation or sunburn.
After facial needling, treat the skin gently and follow instructions about cleansing, moisturising, makeup, sun protection and when to restart active skincare. Retinoids, exfoliating acids and other products may need a temporary pause. Avoid scrubbing or experimenting with new products while the skin recovers.
Follow the specific advice on exercise, heat and scalp washing if these apply to your treatment. Contact your practitioner promptly if recovery is worsening rather than settling, or if you develop concerning pain or signs of infection.
PRP and PRF prices at Enrich by Naseema
Our current treatment prices:
Treatment | Listed price |
PRP | $100 (or Kwacha equivalent) |
PRF | $120 (or Kwacha equivalent) |
Microneedling with PRF is also available at $120 or the Kwacha equivalent.
Before booking, our team will confirm the applicable service, what it includes, the current Kwacha equivalent and the cost of any recommended course. This helps you plan for the full treatment programme.
Frequently asked questions
Both use a prepared sample of your own blood. Conventional PRP usually includes an anticoagulant during preparation, while PRF commonly does not, allowing a fibrin network to form. The exact protocol also matters.
Not for every concern or every person. Different preparation and growth-factor release do not establish superior clinical results. The choice should reflect your assessment and the evidence for the proposed use.
No. PRP and PRF are blood-derived preparations. Conventional dermal fillers are separate treatments used to add volume or contour. A clinician may sometimes discuss them within the same plan, but they are not interchangeable procedures.
Your clinician should recommend a schedule based on the concern, method and your response. A course may be proposed, with progress reviewed before deciding on further sessions.
Yes. Contact Enrich by Naseema to enquire about PRP, PRF or Microneedling with PRF and arrange an assessment before treatment.
Ready to explore PRP or PRF at Enrich
A useful first appointment starts with your goal: the skin concern you want to discuss, the hair changes you have noticed, or the questions you want answered.
Tell our team you would like to enquire about PRP or PRF in Lusaka. We will help you arrange the appropriate appointment and confirm the available treatment options and pricing.
Enrich by Naseema
22 Nangwenya Road, Rhodes Park, Lusaka
Call: +260 97 337 2652
Email: info@enrichbynaseema.com
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This article provides general treatment information. An individual assessment is needed to determine suitability, risks and the appropriate treatment plan. Results vary.