Autologous treatments: lipotransfer, PRP, PRF – compendium

Content author: Piotr Rak, MD, PhD, oncological surgeon · Editorial work: Editorial team of Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej · Medical review: Piotr Rak, MD, PhD · Date of creation: 07.08.2026 · Date of review: 07.08.2026 · Update: 07.08.2026

The article is of an educational nature and does not replace consultation or qualification for the procedure. Each of the described methods requires an individual assessment of indications and possible contraindications. Severe increasing pain after the procedure, fever, spreading redness, discharge of pus, blanching of the skin or visual disturbances require immediate contact with a doctor.

The most important information at a glance

• An autologous procedure is one in which the material comes from the patient's own body.
• The three most commonly used materials are adipose tissue, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).
• The absence of foreign material means no allergic reaction to the material itself - but does not mean the absence of procedural risk.
• PRP and PRF differ in their preparation method: PRF is created without the addition of an anticoagulant and forms a fibrin mesh.
• Lipotransfer is a two-stage procedure - fat collection and its administration to another place.
• Part of the transplanted fat is absorbed, so the effect is only assessed after a few months.
• Applications include aesthetic medicine, selected urological and proctological indications.
• The quality of scientific evidence varies greatly between indications and is limited in some of them.
• Preparation protocols are not standardized, which makes it difficult to compare test results.
• These procedures are performed by a doctor after qualification including interview and assessment of contraindications.

Find out more about the specialist

Piotr Rak, MD, PhD, is an oncological surgeon at Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej in Gdańsk. He performs surgical procedures and aesthetic medicine procedures, including procedures using autologous material. This text is an overview of the entire group of methods - we devote separate articles to each of them.

Meet Dr. n. med. Piotr Rak

What does "autological" mean

Autological means: coming from the patient himself. In practice, this means that before the procedure, blood or fat tissue is collected from the patient, prepared appropriately and administered to the area to be treated. No foreign material enters the body.

This has two real advantages. First of all, there is no risk of an allergic reaction to the material itself - because the body does not recognize its own tissue as foreign. Secondly, there is no risk of rejection or granuloma formation around the foreign body, which can be a problem with some synthetic materials.

And here you have to draw the line, because it is often blurred in marketing materials. The absence of foreign material does not mean the absence of risk. The procedure still interrupts tissue continuity and is still associated with the risk of infection, hematoma, pain, swelling and unsatisfactory results. Material risk is just one of several categories of risk—and one that autologous methods actually reduce.

Three materials in comparison

The most important practical difference is in the row about the volume effect. If the goal is to replace lost volume, PRP or PRF will not do this. They affect the quality of tissue, not its quantity. Confusing these two goals is the most common source of disappointment for patients who expected something different than what the procedure could provide.

PRP and PRF - what's the difference?

Both methods start the same way: with collecting the patient's venous blood, as in a regular examination. Then the roads diverge.

PRP it is created by centrifuging blood with the addition of a substance that prevents clotting. The result is fluid - plasma with an increased content of platelets, which are the carrier of growth factors. The preparation remains liquid, so it is easy to administer by injection.

PRF getting ready without anticoagulant additive. Blood clots naturally, forming a fibrin mesh in which platelets and other cells become trapped. A gel or film is formed, not a liquid.

From this technical difference comes a practical difference. The fibrin mesh acts as a scaffold that releases the content gradually over a longer period of time, instead of once. The material can also be placed locally - for example, in the wound bed - rather than just injected. This opens up applications that PRP does not have.

However, we must immediately add something that is rarely mentioned: the preparation protocols for both preparations are not unified. Different centrifuges, different speeds, different centrifugation times produce preparations with different compositions. This is one of the main reasons why the results of scientific research on these methods are so difficult to compare.

Lipotransfer - transplantation of one's own fat tissue

Lipotransfer is the most demanding procedure of the three. It takes place in two stages: first, collecting fat tissue from the donor area, then preparing it and administering it to the recipient area. It requires anesthesia and work under sterile conditions in two places of the body at the same time.

The basic thing the patient must know before the procedure: part of the transplanted tissue is absorbed. The transplanted fat must be nourished by the recipient's vessels, and not every cell will survive this. That's why the effect is assessed only after a few months, not a week after the procedure - and that's why sometimes a correction is needed.

Lipotransfer offers two things at the same time that none of the other methods have in common: replenishing volume and improving tissue quality in the application area. The latter property is attributed to the presence of cells contained in adipose tissue and is one of the arguments for this method, although its scale is assessed differently.

We describe this procedure in detail here: lipotransfer - fat tissue transplantation.

Applications - three areas

Aesthetic medicine

This is the widest field of applications. Lipotransfer is used where volume loss is a problem - i.e. with age-related changes in the face. PRP and PRF are used where the goal is to improve the quality of the skin: neck, cleavage, hands, fine wrinkles, skin after treatments.

A separate topic is the scalp and hair. This is an intensively researched field and the published results are promising, but still insufficient to talk about a method with some effectiveness — and certainly not in every patient and not in every type of alopecia.

Urology and andrology

In this field, autologous methods are considered in selected situations - erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease and volumetric procedures. However, it must be said clearly: these are complementary methods, not primary ones.

Erectile dysfunction most often has a vascular, hormonal, metabolic, drug-related or psychogenic cause. No treatment can replace the diagnosis of this cause or its treatment. Proposing a procedure to a patient who has not undergone basic diagnostics is a reverse procedure - and unfortunately common.

Proctology

Here the applications are the narrowest and most experimental. Autologous material is sometimes used to support healing in difficult clinical situations - for example, in wounds that do not heal despite proper treatment, or in selected cases of fistulas where standard methods have failed or pose a high risk to the sphincters.

However, this is not the first choice method for any of these indications. Treatment of a fistula is based on determining the course of the canal and selecting the appropriate surgical technique - not on the material supporting healing.

Quality of evidence - a chapter that is usually missing

I believe that a patient has the right to know how strong the scientific basis of the method proposed to him is. For autologous procedures, the answer is: very different depending on the indication - and no honest answer will be shorter.

There are several reasons for this ambiguity and it is worth knowing them:

• Lack of unified protocols - the preparation called "PRP" in two centers may have different composition.
• Variations between patients - The composition of blood and tissue is not identical in everyone, making standardization difficult.
• Studies on small groups, often without an appropriate comparison group.
• Difficulty of blinding the study - the patient usually knows that he or she has undergone the procedure, and this is important when assessing subjective effects.
• Short observation period in part of the publication.
• Different ways of measuring the effect, making comparisons between studies difficult.

What does this mean practically? That the effect should not be promised to the patient as a certain - because it is not. Autologous methods have their place and bring satisfactory results in some patients, but the conversation before the procedure should include the phrase "the effect is individual and cannot be guaranteed." If it doesn't include it, it's a commercial conversation, not a medical one.

How the procedure is carried out

For PRP and PRF: consultation and qualification, venous blood collection, preparation of the preparation in the office, disinfection of the area, administration of the preparation, observation. The entire procedure usually takes about an hour, including preparation time. Usually, a series of treatments are planned at individually determined intervals.

For lipotransfer: consultation and qualification, anesthesia, collection of fat tissue from the donor area, its preparation, administration to the recipient area, dressing the donor site. The procedure takes longer, requires different preparation and different recovery.

After the procedure in both cases, you can expect swelling, bruising and tenderness at the injection site - and in the case of lipotransfer, also at the donor site. These are expected reactions. Detailed recommendations regarding activity, sun exposure and care are provided by the doctor performing the procedure.

The qualification includes history of chronic diseases, coagulation disorders, medications taken - including anticoagulants - cancer, active infections, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and previous procedures in a given area. It is not a formality; it is on this basis that a decision is made whether to perform the procedure at all.

When to contact me immediately after the procedure

• severe, increasing pain disproportionate to the procedure,
• fever, chills, spreading redness, warming of the area,
• leakage of pus from the injection or incision site,
• turning pale, bruising or marbled appearance of the skin in injection area,
• any visual disturbances,
• rapidly growing swelling or hematoma,
• shortness of breath, hives, dizziness, feeling of weakness,
• numbness or loss of sensation persisting after the procedure.

The fourth and fifth points concern vascular complications. They are rare, but time is of the essence in them - therefore, procedures involving the application of material to the facial area should be performed where there is someone and what to react to such a situation.

The most common myths

• "If it's your own, then there's no risk." No. The risk associated with foreign material disappears, but not the procedural risk.
• "PRP will replace filler." No. PRP does not have a volume effect - it affects tissue quality.
• "PRF is better PRP." This is a different preparation with different properties, useful in different situations.
• "The effect of lipotransfer is immediate." No. Part of the tissue is absorbed and the effect is assessed after a few months.
• "The transplanted fat stays whole forever." No. Some of it is absorbed and this is expected.
• "These are methods with proven effectiveness in all indications." No. The quality of evidence varies greatly.
• "The treatment will cure erectile dysfunction." It will not replace the diagnosis and treatment of the cause.
• "One treatment is enough." For PRP and PRF, a series is usually planned.
• "It's a cosmetic procedure." No. These are medical procedures that require medical qualifications.

Are you wondering if autologous treatment is for you?

The purpose of the procedure and the qualification result determine which method makes sense - and whether it does at all. During the consultation, we will discuss real possibilities and limitations.

Autologous procedures at the Friendly Medicine Island in Gdańsk

At the Friendly Medicine Island, treatments using autologous material are performed by doctors - after a consultation that includes determining the purpose of the procedure, assessing indications and contraindications and discussing what can and what you wouldn't expect. The scope of applications includes aesthetic medicine and selected indications in urology and proctology, carried out by appropriate specialists.

If, after the conversation, it turns out that the expected effect can be achieved using another method or that the problem requires diagnosis first, we talk about it directly. The current scope of treatments, availability of dates and prices should be confirmed during registration.

Lipotransfer Urological consultation Proctological consultation

What to ask before the procedure?

• Which material is right for me and why this one?
• What effect can I realistically expect?
• How strong is the scientific evidence for this specific indication?
• How many treatments will be needed and at what intervals?
• When will the effect be assessed?
• How long does the effect last?
• What are the possible complications and what to do if they occur?
• Are any of my medications contraindicated?
• What is the recovery like and when will I return to activity?
• Is there another method that would give a better result?
• Does the problem require diagnosis of the cause first?
• What happens if the effect is unsatisfactory?

FAQ - autologous procedures

What is autologous procedure?

This is a procedure in which the material is the patient's own tissue or blood - most often adipose tissue, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). No foreign material enters the body.

Are autologous treatments safe?

The lack of foreign material eliminates the risk of an allergic reaction to the material itself, but does not eliminate the procedural risk - infection, hematoma, swelling or unsatisfactory effect. Each treatment requires qualification and discussion of contraindications.

What is the difference between PRP and PRF?

PRP is prepared with the addition of an anticoagulant substance and is in the form of a liquid. PRF is created without such an additive - the blood clots naturally, creating a fibrin mesh that releases its contents gradually and can be applied topically.

Will PRP fill wrinkles like a filler?

No. PRP does not have a volume effect - it affects tissue quality. If the goal is to replace lost volume, a different method is needed.

How long does the lipotransfer effect last?

Part of the transplanted tissue is absorbed in the first months. The one that is accepted permanently stays for longer. The final effect is assessed after a few months, and sometimes a correction is planned.

How many PRP or PRF treatments do I need to perform?

A series is usually planned, and the number of treatments and the interval between them depend on the indication and individual response. A single treatment is rarely enough.

Do autologous treatments have proven effectiveness?

The quality of evidence varies greatly between indications. It is hampered by the lack of unified preparation protocols, small study groups and different methods of assessing the effect. The effect is individual and cannot be guaranteed.

Will PRP help with hair loss?

This is an intensively researched direction, with promising, but insufficient results to call it a method of certain effectiveness. The effect depends, among other things, on the type of baldness and requires prior diagnosis of its cause.

Does autologous treatment treat erectile dysfunction?

Does not replace diagnosis and treatment of the cause. Erectile dysfunction most often has vascular, hormonal, metabolic, drug-induced or psychogenic causes. Autologous methods are complementary here, not basic.

What are these methods used for in proctology?

To support healing in difficult clinical situations and in selected cases of fistulae. These are niche applications and are not the first choice method - the basis of fistula treatment is determining the course of the canal and proper surgical technique.

Does the procedure hurt?

With PRP and PRF, the sensations resemble blood sampling and injections; Local anesthesia is used depending on the area. Lipotransfer is performed under anesthesia, and swelling and tenderness in both areas should be expected after the procedure.

Who can perform such treatments?

These are medical procedures that require medical qualifications - both before the procedure and in the event of a complication. The method of working with the material also requires maintaining sterile conditions.

Sources

• Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, lipotransfer: https://www.wyspamedycynyPrzyjaznej.pl/pl/lipotransfer-blog
• Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, urological consultation: https://www.wyspamedycynyPrzyjaznej.pl/pl/konsultacja-urologiczna
• Island of Friendly Medicine, proctological consultation: https://www.wyspamedycynyPrzyjaznej.pl/pl/konsultacja-proktologiczna-gdansk
• DermNet, Platelet-rich plasma: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/platelet-rich-plasma
• DermNet, Fat transfer: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/fat-transfer
• DermNet, Skin surgery: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/skin-surgery
• NHS, Cosmetic procedures: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/
• NHS, Erectile dysfunction: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/
• NHS, Peyronie's disease: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peyronies-disease/
• NHS, Anal fistula: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anal-fistula/
• NHS, Hair loss: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/
• European Association of Urology, Guidelines: https://uroweb.org/guidelines
• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Clinical Practice Guidelines: https://fascrs.org/healthcare-providers/education/clinical-practice-guidelines