Use of Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) in Facial Fat Grafting: An Integrative Literature Review

Aims: To evaluate the influence of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as an adjuvant in autologous fat grafts for facial procedures, with emphasis on graft survival, vascularization, tissue quality, and patient satisfaction. Study Design: Integrative literature review. Place and Duration of Study: Literature search performed in PubMed and Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) databases, covering publications between 2015 and 2025. Methodology: An integrative search strategy was adopted using the descriptors “platelet rich fibrin,” “fat grafts,” and “facial,” combined with the Boolean operator AND. Inclusion criteria comprised clinical studies in humans that investigated PRF as an adjunct in facial fat grafting and reported outcomes such as graft survival, angiogenesis, tissue remodeling, or patient satisfaction. Exclusion criteria were case reports, animal studies, reviews, and papers without sufficient data. Results: The use of PRF was consistently associated with greater stability of fat grafts in regions prone to reabsorption, with long-term improvements observed in nasal and perioral areas. In addition, benefits such as enhanced tissue quality, reduction of cutaneous retractions, and increased patient satisfaction were frequently reported. Improvements in postoperative recovery and skin rejuvenation were also highlighted when PRF was combined with nanofat or applied in dynamic facial areas. However, in some anatomical regions, such as the temporal fossa, the volumetric advantage of PRF was less evident, underscoring the variability of its effect depending on the treated site. Conclusion: PRF is a safe and promising adjunct in facial fat grafting, capable of enhancing graft survival, tissue vascularization, regenerative outcomes, and overall patient satisfaction. Nonetheless, methodological heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and limited follow-up restrict the generalizability of findings. Standardized protocols and multicenter clinical trials with long-term monitoring remain necessary to consolidate its clinical role.