What is Vampire Facial and Why is it Popular?

We are all familiar with the term facial and most of us would have got one done too. But have you heard of vampire facial? The name itself is quite intriguing. No, it’s not about turning into a vampire with the facial. But you would look pretty much like one when the procedure is done. Have you spotted celebrities posting on their social media with a face full of blood spots? Here is one below:

Yes, that’s the vampire facial.

The vampire facial is an advanced and most popular treatment for reducing wrinkles and spots and giving the skin a glowing appearance. This is a non-invasive treatment done using the PRP or Platelet-rich Plasma therapy. In this technique, the person’s own blood is used to treat many cosmetic and medical concerns. The PRP technique had been used widely to treat sports injury, heal the tendons and ligaments, hair loss, arthritis and to aid post-surgical recovery. PRP has been used for skin treatments since over a decade now. The platelet-rich plasma derived can help with better healing of many concerns and provide faster and lasting recovery. Moreover, PRP is time and cost effective which makes it apt for aesthetic and non-aesthetic procedures.

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In the PRP or platelet-rich plasma therapy, blood is drawn from the person’s body and passed through a centrifuge, a device that spins blood rapidly to separate its components. Once this is completed, the red blood cells / RBCs and plasma gets separated. The platelet-rich plasma is collected in a syringe and used to treat the patient’s ailments.

In the world of cosmetic skin treatments, PRP injections are used widely to rejuvenate and repair the skin by using the body’s natural healing and repairing mechanisms. When a person undergoes vampire facial procedure, the PRP therapy is combined with techniques such as microdermabrasion, microneedling and others.

A vampire facial is used for skin concerns such as:

• Winkles
• Skin pigmentation
• Open pores
• Scars and hyperpigmentation
• Rejuvenation of the skin
• Stretch Marks

Vampire facial before and after

The PRP treatment for the face have many benefits such as:

• Improves the production of the body’s natural collagen and elastin
• Rejuvenates the skin to reduce wrinkles, dark spots and folds
• Gives an even texture and tone for the facial skin
• Reduces signs of aging

Pre-procedural care for this procedure includes stopping medications, smoking and alcohol consumption at least a few days prior to the treatment. Having enough rest, water and food before the procedure is also very important.

Post-procedural care includes:

• Avoiding washing of the face for close to 48 or 72 hours after treatment
• Avoiding unwanted medications for close to a week after the procedure
• Preventing smoking and drinking for one-week post treatment
• Taking the prescribed medications that the cosmetologist suggests
• Ample rest and care, along with nutritious food.

The results of a vampire facial start to show after two to three weeks of the procedure and is said to last for 1 to 1.5 years. A person might need more than one session for better and lasting results. The number of sessions needed can be advised by the doctor depending on the person’s skin condition. Most patients require two to three sessions and it is carried out with a gap of two weeks between each session.

Vampire facial cost in India

In India, the vampire facial would cost around INR 10K for each session. This could go upto INR 80K and the exact cost of the treatment depends upon a lot of factors such as the area of treatment, the city, clinic and doctors’ experience. For PRP under the eye, the treatment cost would be around INR 30k and about 80k for the whole face for a single session. Many people look forward to vampire facials since it claims to reduce a person’s age by 5 to 10 years and gives a young and firm skin.

Since a PRP injection is derived from the person’s own blood, there is hardly any chance of infection or major complications. Moreover, the treatment is said to provide good results to almost all skin types, giving a more youthful and smooth skin. PRP or vampire facial can also be done on the neck and chest regions. It is combined with techniques such as laser treatments for best results. Both men and women can get a vampire facial done.

Patients must get a vampire facial done from only an experienced cosmetologist who specializes in giving skin care treatments. Inexperienced aestheticians or cosmetologists would not be able to carry forward a successful procedure and give longer lasting results. A doctor would be able to help on deciding whether the vampire facial would be the best option or not. Based on the severity of acne scars, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation or skin sagging, a doctor can help decide if a vampire facial or other skin treatments such as facelift would be better.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

1. What is vampire facial?

Vampire facial is the technique of rejuvenating facial skin by using the PRP therapy or technique. In this procedure, blood or platelet rich plasma is drawn from the person’s own blood and injected on the face to improve the production of elastin and collagen and increase antioxidants that replenish the skin.

2. What does vampire facial do?

The vampire facial is usually combined with a skin treatment such as microdermabrasion or microneedling along with PRP. The skin treatment administered aims at improving the wrinkles, folds of the skin. The PRP will give a glow and shine to the face making it appear youthful.

3. How long does vampire facial last?

The results of a vampire treatment would last between 1 to 1.5 years for majority of the individuals.

4. Is vampire facial painful?

The vampire facial is considerably a painless procedure. However, the first few pricks would be slightly painful for most patients.

5. Does vampire facial tighten skin?

Yes, the vampire facial will help tighten the skin. The PRP therapy will reduce wrinkles, sagginess, folds and creases. The plasma derived from the blood will help the production of elastin and collagen which will tighten the skin, making it look younger.

6. Which is better microneedling or vampire facial?

Vampire facial is more effective when PRP is done along with microdermabrasion or microneedling. The results of PRP and an additional skin treatment gives better results than when microneedling is done alone.

7. How many PRP treatments are needed for the face?

It is usually recommended to get three to four sessions of PRP treatment done for lasting results.

8. What do you look like after vampire facial?

The skin would look a little red immediately after a vampire facial. This redness would subside on its own. The skin will show good results in about 2 weeks, making the face appear supple and young.

9. Does vampire facial help dark circles?

Yes, the vampire facial will help reduce dark circles around the eyes.

10. Can you wear makeup after a vampire facial?

Patients must avoid the use of any makeup or face products for at the least 3 days post the procedure. Medications, both topical and non-topical that are prescribed by the doctor must be continued.

11. How long after a vampire facial can you wash your face?

After a patient undergoes vampire facial, he or she must not wash the face for close to 5 to 8 hours.

12. Can vampire facial be done on neck?

Yes, PRP can be done on the neck and chest along with a laser treatment for best results.

13. Is PRP better than fillers?

PRP is said to be better than dermal fillers. Since the PRP treatment uses the person’s own plasma for treatment, there is very minimal chances of risk or complications. PRP is also said to give longer lasting results than fillers.

14. Does PRP really work for wrinkles?

Yes, the PRP therapy aids the production of natural collagen and elastin, this decreases wrinkles and folds. There is an overall improvement in skin tone and texture. The skin will appear more firm and smooth with significant reduction in wrinkles.

15. Is PRP good for under eyes?

Yes, the under eyes would have an even tone with reduction in dark circles with the PRP technique. PRP is injected to the targeted region which then work along with the targeted and surrounding cells to give a smooth and youthful skin.

16. Who can perform vampire facial?

Only a qualified dermatologist or cosmetologist with board certification must perform a vampire facial.

17. Which is better PRP or PRF?

PRF or platelet rich fibrin is an advanced technique or form of PRP in which fibrin and white blood cells from the person’s blood is used to treat skin conditions such as wrinkles, dark spots and folds. PRF is considered better for a variety of reasons such as:

• It requires less blood to be drawn as compared to PRP
• The white blood cells and fibrin help in producing collagen, elastin and other essential proteins for a longer duration making the results stay longer.

18. Are there any side effects of PRP?

PRP is known to cause no side effects to most patients. Since PRP uses the person’s same blood, there is very minimal chance of an infection or complication. However, after the PRP procedure, patients can experience temporary discomforts such as redness, swelling and bruising.

19. How often should you do PRP?

Usually around three sessions of PRP is required for optimal results. These PRP sessions are often done 2 to 3 weeks apart. The results would last for about 18 months, post which follow up sessions must be done.

20. How do you prepare for PRP?

Patients must take appropriate measures before getting a PRP session done. Some of the pre-procedural care to be taken include

• Stopping medications such as antibiotics, blood thinning medicines, steroids and supplements.
• Drinking plenty of water and having a nutritious meal
• Taking enough rest before and after the procedure

21. Who should not get PRP?

PRP must not be done on patients who have certain chronic skin conditions, active infection or who are under medications for bleeding disorders. Pregnant women and individuals over 65 years must thoroughly consider the doctor’s advice when deciding to undergo the procedure.