Have you heard of Kim Kardashian vampire facials and may be wondering if they can give your skin a firmer and more supple complexion? Vampire facials promise a youthful rejuvenation using your own blood plasma. And that's the reason they are known as PRP facial treatments (Platelet Rich Plasma therapy).
This treatment has gone viral amongst skincare enthusiasts and celebrities. Is this coveted treatment worth all the hype? Let's find out all about vampire facial treatment.
What is a Vampire Facial?
What is vampire facial? Vampire facial (also referred to as Platelet-Rich Plasma facial) is a minimally invasive and non-surgical way to get youthful skin. It uses a combination of microneedling and platelet-rich plasma.
Origins: The rise of this treatment started with celebrities. Stars like Kim Kardashian have got this facial and everyone wanted to know more. This treatment went from something doctors used for healing injuries to a red-carpet favorite!
Technology: During the vampire facial PRP, your skin will be punctured with RF Microneedle Machine. These are tiny, pain-free needles that injure the skin to stimulate healing. During the healing process, two components (elastin and collagen) are released.
The next step is topical PRP infusion. PRP is plasma, rich in platelets (responsible for growth). Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that play a crucial role in clotting and wound healing. They contain growth factors that help stimulate cell growth and repair.
The Vampire Facial Procedure
Preparation:
The initial steps include a thorough cleaning of your face. Your dermatologist will apply a topical numbing solution to your skin. Then comes the part when they will draw blood from your arm. The amount of blood is as little as 2 teaspoons. They may inject fillers into your skin, especially areas with wrinkles or scars.
Process:
After blood collection, your practitioner will spin it in a centrifuge. This ensures that the platelet-rich plasma gets separated from RBC (red blood cells). Once separated, the PRP becomes a yellowish liquid, ready to be used for your facial. This centrifugal process concentrates the platelets in the PRP by several times compared to your normal blood.
Application:
They will use a microneedling device to create tiny channels on your skin. These channels help centrifugally separated PRP to go deep into the skin. It takes around an hour or a half to complete this process.
Expected Vampire Facial Results:
It's common to see immediate plumping results after the filler injection. You will start noticing that glow from PRP injections 2 to 3 weeks prior to the treatment. The results will last for 1 year to 1 and six months.
Vampire Facial Benefits
Vampire facials take a natural approach to give your skin a touch of youth and radiance. Here are the benefits you can reap:
Skin Rejuvenation: As we age, collagen production slows down. It is a naturally occurring protein, essential for keeping skin plump and youthful. Vampire facials use your own platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that is filled with growth and healing factors. When PRP is reintroduced into your skin, it triggers your body's natural collagen production. This helps you get firmer skin.
Anti-Aging: Suffering from fine lines and wrinkles? Our body produces less collagen with age, which causes these wrinkles to show up. By boosting collagen, vampire facials can help reduce their appearance.
Skin Texture: Sun damage, acne scars, and age can leave skin looking uneven. Vampire facials can improve your skin's texture and tone by stimulating cell growth and renewal. You will notice a more radiant complexion after the facial.
Vampire Facial Before and After: The best part? Vampire facial before after results are often visible within weeks, with continued improvement over time.
Side Effects and Risks
Immediate Effects: Side effects of vampire facials are very minimal and may include:
Redness. Your skin may become susceptible to soreness immediately after the facial.
Bruising is another side effect and is not permanent.
Some may experience slight swelling in the treated area. Initially, your skin may appear rough but it goes away with time.
Long-Term Risks: Generally, vampire facials have low risks. However, there may be cases when some may develop an infection at the site of injection. This occurs due to the allergic reaction to the PRP components. Sometimes, the nerve may become damaged due to the wrong application of injection techniques. Scarring is another risk where your skin becomes uneven due to the excessive trauma incurred during the procedure.
Precautions: To make sure the procedure works fine for you, work with a qualified practitioner. This helps you minimize the potential risks and enjoy your desired outcome.
Recovery and Aftercare
Vampire Facial Recovery Time: Expect to experience mild discomfort for a few days after the treatment. Some bruising is also common, which will go away in a week. Until then, apply gel or ice packs to reduce the risks of swelling or bruising.
Aftercare Tips: As part of your aftercare routine, make sure you do not intake medications with anti-inflammatory attributes. These may include Motrin/ Advil, and ibuprofen. The anti-inflammatory qualities will interfere with the natural inflammation process (which is crucial for skin rejuvenation). Prolonged exposure to the sun should also be avoided. Before going out in the sun, make sure you use sunscreen with SPF 30 or above. Clean your face with gentle skincare products.
Cost of a Vampire Facial
The PRP vampire facial cost of vampire facials depends largely on the area you are receiving the treatment. There are other factors too. The clinic, the area of your face, the expertise of the technician and more. Microneedling alone costs $200 (at the least). Once they infuse the PRP, the price will rise up to $1000-$2500.
Who Should Consider a Vampire Facial?
Ideal candidates for vampire facials are those looking to reverse the aging process. It works best for people who have high levels of sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles. If you have acne scars, you would also benefit from vampire facials. If you are someone who desires a more even-toned complexion, vampire facials are for you.
Do you have a history of blood diseases? You may have a history of bleeding or clotting disorders. Stay away from vampire facials. Those who have Hepatitis C, HIV or AIDS, or any type of blood cancer must also avoid getting vampire facials.
Alternatives to Vampire Facial
Looking for alternatives to vampire facials? Of course, there are other effective ways you can achieve that celeb-like flawless skin. Popular alternatives include:
Vampire Facial vs Microneedling:
This treatment works to stimulate the production of collagen in the body. It uses microneedles to puncture the skin and surrounding tissue. This enables the body to start its natural healing process and produce collagen. It does not involve drawing the patient's own blood like vampire facials do.
Microcurrent Facials:
Anti-aging Microcurrent Devices are another effective alternative to vampire facials. The devices deliver an electric current to muscles. The idea is to build up muscles in the targeted area to cause a lifting and tightening effect on the skin. It also works to stimulate collagen production.
Chemical Peels:
Remove skin cells from the outer surface of the skin (epidermis). It also removes some portions of the upper part of the dermis. Thus, you get an even skin, free from wrinkles and acne scars.
Laser Therapy:
It's another popular alternative that addresses inflammation, rosacea, spider veins, telangiectasias, and cherry angiomas. Plus, different wavelengths of laser target wrinkles and sun damage.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide helped you to learn what are vampire facials. Whether the treatment is right for you depends on your specific concern and skin condition. It's best to talk to a skincare professional. They can give you the best advice related to your particular concerns and what you want to achieve.
FAQs Section
What is PRP?
PRP is Platelet-Rich Plasma. It is a concentration of platelets and healing factors derived from your own blood.
Who can perform PRP or vampire facials?
A board-certified dermatologist. They have the training and expertise to perform vampire facials on you.
How long does it take to recover from a vampire facial?
Downtime is minimal. You might experience redness and swelling for 1-2 days, but most people can resume normal activities right away.
Can vampire facials cause HIV?
No. PRP uses your own blood, so there's no risk of contracting HIV or other bloodborne diseases. Strict sterilization procedures further ensure safety.
Is vampire facial painful?
No, it is not. However, some may prefer using a topical numbing cream to minimize discomfort. You might feel some pricking or pinching during the treatment, but it's generally painless.
