What is PRP Hair Treatment?
PRP Hair Treatment or Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy involves drawing some of your blood and working with it to create a serum that will be injected into the scalp. To get the PRP or plasma, part of the blood is sent through a centrifuge, which separates the red and white blood cells from the part that is very rich in platelets, which is composed of growth factors. The PRP serum is injected directly into the scalp where it stimulates hair follicles, increasing the blood supply to the hair follicle, and stimulating the growth of new hair.
Generally, PRP is used for patients who are in early stages of hair loss, especially in the case of genetics-related hair loss. As the treatment uses patient’s own blood, it is generally considered to be very safe, and the chance of an allergic reaction is eliminated.
What is GFC Hair Treatment?
Growth Factor Concentrate, simply called GFC, is an advanced form of PRP. GFC is extracted from a patient’s own blood like PRP, but the processing method has been refined. Rather than injecting platelets, GFC extracts only pure growth factors in a high concentration that has been standardized.
The growth factors in GFC (eg. VEGF, EGF, and PDGF) stimulate the hair follicles directly to enhance hair regeneration and prolong their active growth periods.
Treatment Process:
1. PRP Treatment Procedure
- Blood is drawn from a patient for centrifugation in order to provide a source of platelet-rich plasma.
- The centrifugation of blood provides the opportunity to use this type of plasma to inject into the scalp by using very thin needles.
The entire process for this type of injection takes approximately an hour (45 – 60 minutes) and will usually require a series of treatments.
2. GFC Treatment Procedure
- Blood is collected similarly.
- Specialized tubes isolate concentrated growth factors.
- The obtained concentrate rich in growth factor is injected into targeted scalp areas.
The GFC process takes around 60 to 75 minutes but is more precise and standardized.
Key Differences Between GFC and PRP
Factor | PRP | GFC |
Composition | Platelets + plasma | Pure growth factors |
Concentration | Moderate | High |
Sessions required | 4–6 | 3–5 |
Results speed | Gradual (2–3 months) | Faster (1.5–2 months) |
Effectiveness | Early hair loss | Moderate to advanced hair loss |
| Standardization | Varies by clinic | Highly standardized |
Benefits Of PRP and GFC:
Benefits Of PRP Hair Treatment
- Using your own blood is a natural and safe method that enhances hair thickness and density; stimulates inactive hair follicles; and is a good treatment option for early hair loss.
- The cost of PRP is much lower than many of the more advanced treatment options available today.
Benefits of GFC Hair Treatment
- Higher concentration of growth factors
- Faster visible results
- Fewer sessions required
- Reduced inflammation and side effects
- Longer-lasting outcomes
Because GFC delivers purified growth factors directly, it often provides stronger follicle stimulation and better hair density improvements.
Results and Effectiveness
Both PRP and GFC treatments goal is to reduce hair loss and promote hair regrowth, but results may differ from each other:
PRP: Results are usually evident in 2-3 months with noticeable improvement in thickness and density.
GFC: Faster results may be visible within 4-8 weeks.
Clinical observation suggests that PRP provides significant improvement in hair density, particularly with the early stages of hair loss, compared to GFC, which generally provides faster and better results, especially in moderate to severe thinning.
Number of Sessions and Maintenance
- PRP: Typically 3 to 6 initial sessions, followed by maintenance every 6 to 12 months
- GFC: Usually 3 to 4 sessions, with fewer maintenance sessions
Both treatments require ongoing maintenance to sustain results, as hair loss is often a progressive condition.
Safety and Side Effects
GFC and PRP treatments involve using your own tissue, which makes them both low risk and minimally invasive. Mild side effects after treatment include:
- Temporary pain/discomfort
- Redness/swelling
- Sensitivity on the scalp
However, GFC may result in less overall inflammation due to the fact that it has been purified.
Cost Comparison
- PRP: More affordable per session
- GFC: Slightly more expensive but may require fewer sessions
In many cases, GFC becomes cost-effective in the long run due to fewer treatments needed.
Which One Should You Choose?
A patient’s choice of treatment between GFC and PRP will depend on many variables:
- Patient’s age and stage of hair loss
- Type of hair loss (e.g. thinning or balding)
- Budget
- Patient’s ability to tolerate pain (both GFC and PRP can be painful)
- Time required before seeing results (GFC provides faster results than PRP)
Final Thoughts
PRP continues to be a very well established and cost-effective treatment option for people who are experiencing early stages of thinning hair. GFC is an evolution of PRP and has been proven to yield faster, more powerful, and longer-lasting results than other forms of tissue-based plant growth factors.
To make an informed decision on what the best method of treatment best suits, you should consult with a Best Certified Dermatologist or Trichologist.