PRP, ACP or CGF: what is the difference?
Three abbreviations, one common origin. This article explains neutrally how the preparation methods differ and why people often speak of generations.
PRP, ACP and CGF all stand for concentrates made from your own blood. The difference lies not in the basic principle but in the type of preparation. It is precisely this preparation that determines which components are contained in the finished concentrate.
The common denominator
All three procedures begin with a blood draw and centrifugation, that is, separating the blood into its components. The aim in each case is a plasma in which platelets and their growth factors are present in concentrated form. How high this concentration is and which other components are contained is what distinguishes the methods.
The three terms at a glance
| Feature | PRP | ACP | CGF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Platelet Rich Plasma | Autologous Conditioned Plasma | Concentrated Growth Factors |
| Basic principle | platelet-rich plasma | closed plasma system | concentrated growth factors with a fibrin component |
| Often used in | dermatology, hair medicine | orthopaedics | dentistry, aesthetics, hair medicine |
| Classification | basic procedure | standardised system | further development with a focus on concentration |
A decisive detail: the anticoagulant principle
A key difference between the procedures is whether or not an anticoagulant is used when the blood is drawn. In classic PRP, such an additive prevents clotting, so that a liquid plasma layer forms. If it is omitted, a fibrin matrix forms instead: a fine network that encloses the platelets and their messenger substances and releases them gradually. The fibrin-rich further developments are based on this principle, including the procedures with concentrated growth factors referred to as the third generation. The fibrin matrix is intended to act as a kind of depot.
Why people speak of generations
In practice it has become common to divide the procedures into generations. This classification is not an official standard, but it helps to understand the development. It usually refers to a sequence from simple platelet-rich plasma through fibrin-rich further developments to procedures specifically geared towards a high concentration of growth factors.
What the preparation means in practice
For the person being treated, one thing above all is decisive: the quality of the result depends heavily on how carefully the plasma is obtained and prepared. Factors such as rotational speed, duration of centrifugation and further processing influence the concentrate. This is why study results from different providers cannot simply be compared, and why the experience of the doctor performing the treatment is an important factor.
Read more: Autologous blood therapy at a glance · PRP for hair loss · Cost
Frequently asked questions about the methods
Is CGF better than PRP?
The procedures differ mainly in their preparation and therefore in the composition of the concentrate. Which procedure makes sense in an individual case depends on the goal, the findings and the experience of the treating doctor. Blanket statements about one procedure being generally better are not supported by science.
What does ACP mean?
ACP stands for Autologous Conditioned Plasma. It is a trademarked, closed preparation system that is widely used in orthopaedics.
What does CGF stand for?
CGF stands for Concentrated Growth Factors. The term describes a preparation that aims at a particularly high concentration of growth factors and a fibrin matrix.
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