The five major protocols
| Protocol | Form | Centrifugation | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|
| i-PRF | Injectable liquid | 200–300 g, 5 min (horizontal) | Facial injection, skin quality, scalp injection |
| L-PRF / Solid PRF | Solid fibrin membrane/clot | 700 g, 8 min (modern horizontal) — original Choukroun: 2,700 rpm fixed-angle | Surgical wound, dental, can be cut and placed |
| e-PRF | Gel-like, "sticky" | Intermediate | Bone grafts, scar tissue, sometimes mixed protocols |
| Alb-PRF | Stable, durable gel | i-PRF + heated albumin (75°C) | Volume restoration — autologous "filler" |
| C-PRF (Concentrated) | Super-concentrated liquid | Specialized protocol; super-high cell count | High-demand cases, e.g. severe alopecia |
i-PRF — the workhorse for the face
i-PRF (injectable PRF) is the liquid form. Prepared at low centrifuge speed for a short time, it stays liquid for ~15–25 minutes before fibrin polymerization makes it unusable. During that window, it's drawn into a syringe and injected.
Clinical uses:
- Full-face skin-quality treatments (mesotherapy-style, multiple superficial injections)
- Under-eye revitalization (especially for fragile, thin skin)
- Scalp injection for hair restoration
- Around acne scars (alongside microneedling)
- As a "delivery vehicle" mixed with other actives
i-PRF is what most people mean when they hear "PRF facial." It's not for volume.
Alb-PRF — the volume protocol
Alb-PRF (albumin-gel PRF) is the protocol that changed the PRF conversation around volume restoration. i-PRF is mixed with autologous albumin that's been heat-denatured at 75°C, producing a stable gel. The denatured albumin acts as a scaffold — the resulting gel holds its shape in tissue for 3–6 months while continuously releasing growth factors.
Clinical uses:
- Mid-face volume (cheekbones, infra-orbital hollow)
- Temple hollowing
- Lip augmentation (modest projection — not maximum-volume cases)
- Tear-trough volumization when the patient prefers autologous
- Hand rejuvenation (off-label but published)
The clinical value: while the Alb-PRF gel sits in tissue, the growth factors it releases drive new collagen formation. By the time the gel resorbs over 3–6 months, the underlying tissue has improved. You're not "back to baseline" — you're at an improved baseline.
L-PRF — surgical and membrane uses
L-PRF (leukocyte-rich PRF) is the solid clot form. Higher centrifugation produces a dense fibrin clot that can be removed from the tube as a single mass, cut, shaped, and placed surgically. Used heavily in:
- Dental and oral surgery (socket preservation, sinus lifts, periodontal regeneration)
- Wound healing — placed as a biological dressing
- Cosmetic surgery wound closure
Not relevant for most facial aesthetic injection work, but mentioned here because patients sometimes encounter the L-PRF terminology and assume it's interchangeable with i-PRF. It isn't.
Matching protocol to indication
| Indication | Best protocol |
|---|---|
| Skin quality, tone, fine lines | i-PRF |
| Under-eye revitalization (no volume) | i-PRF |
| Under-eye with volume needed | Alb-PRF (or i-PRF + filler combo) |
| Volume — cheek, temple, mid-face | Alb-PRF |
| Lip augmentation (modest) | Alb-PRF |
| Hair restoration — scalp injection | i-PRF or C-PRF |
| Acne scars — alongside microneedling | i-PRF |
| Surgical wound closure (cosmetic surgery) | L-PRF |
FAQ
Can multiple protocols be used in one session?
Yes — and frequently are. A common combination: i-PRF for full-face skin quality plus Alb-PRF for specific volume points. The blood draw stays the same; the prepared product is split into protocols.
Is Alb-PRF safe? Heating albumin sounds odd.
It's safe and biocompatible. The albumin is your own (from the same blood draw), and heating to 75°C denatures it into a stable scaffold without altering biocompatibility. Published clinical data is favorable.
Why doesn't every clinic offer Alb-PRF?
It's the newest protocol and requires additional consumables and training. Many clinics with PRF equipment haven't adopted Alb-PRF yet. It's a meaningful gap — Alb-PRF is the most impactful recent addition to the PRF toolbox.
Want to know if this fits your case?
A short consultation clarifies whether the right PRF protocol is the right tool — or whether a different approach fits better. No commitment.