When it comes to Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, the tube you choose plays a crucial role in the quality, purity, and safety of the final PRP product. One common question we get from clinics and practitioners is: What’s the difference between PRP tubes with activator and those without? And more importantly, which type offers the best performance for clinical treatments?
To understand this, it’s essential to start with the basics: what exactly is an activator in PRP tubes?
What Is an Activator in PRP Tubes?
An activator is a substance added to PRP tubes to stimulate the platelets and trigger the release of growth factors after centrifugation. Commonly used activators include calcium chloride, calcium gluconate, or thrombin. These chemicals mimic the body’s natural clotting mechanism and prompt platelets to degranulate and release their healing components, such as PDGF, TGF-β, and VEGF.
In early PRP protocols — especially in dental surgery, wound management, and orthopedic settings — activators were frequently used to rapidly form a PRP clot or gel-like matrix that could be physically applied to tissue. However, this approach has limitations in modern, injection-based applications.
PRP Tubes With Activator: Pros and Cons
PRP tubes with activator offer the benefit of immediate growth factor release, which can be helpful in surgical cases requiring rapid healing or clot formation.
Pros:
- Immediate release of growth factors
- Useful in certain surgical applications
Cons:
- Shorter working time due to rapid clotting
- Less control over timing and location of growth factor release
- Not ideal for injection-based treatments such as facial or scalp PRP
- Risk of reduced purity due to additional chemical agents
PRP Tubes Without Activator: Pros and Cons
In contrast, PRP tubes without activator provide greater flexibility and control. Platelets remain in their resting state after centrifugation, only becoming activated naturally when injected into the target tissue or stimulated by external factors like microneedling or collagen contact.
Pros:
- Greater control over activation process
- Natural, in vivo activation after injection
- Longer working time during procedures
- Widely used in aesthetic, dermatologic, and orthopedic applications
Cons:
- Requires clinical knowledge of natural activation mechanisms
So, Which Is Better?
For most non-surgical applications, PRP tubes without activator are the preferred choice. They offer a more controlled, consistent, and cleaner PRP preparation, aligning with modern regenerative and aesthetic treatment protocols. By allowing platelets to activate in response to the body’s natural signals, you enhance the biological effectiveness of your treatment.
Why We Choose ACD + Gel PRP Tubes
At IPPOCARE, we choose to offer PRP tubes containing ACD (Anticoagulant Citrate Dextrose) and a medical-grade separating gel, with no external activator. This design reflects our commitment to both safety and performance.
- ACD maintains blood fluidity during centrifugation while preserving platelet integrity.
- The gel layer effectively separates plasma from red and white blood cells, ensuring a high-purity PRP product that’s easy to extract and consistent in quality.
- Most importantly, by not adding an activator, we allow for natural, controlled platelet activation at the treatment site — which is precisely what you want in aesthetic, dermatologic, and orthopedic therapies.
Why Choose Our PRP Tubes?
✔️ Triple Sterilization – Safe for medical use
✔️ No Activator Needed – Cleaner and more natural outcome
✔️ ACD + Gel Design – Optimized for clarity and consistency
✔️ Reliable Quality – Trusted by professionals worldwide
✔️ Backed by Research – Two independent studies available upon request
If you’re looking for a professional-grade PRP tube that’s designed for real clinical results — simple to use, highly reliable, and optimized for patient outcomes — our ACD + gel PRP tube is the one to trust.
