Technological advancements have paved the way for more scientific breakthroughs among various industries, especially in the medical field. With society’s obsession in looking for the fountain of youth, it’s no wonder that procedures like Vampire Facials have become popular among those who want to reduce the speed of their bodies’ aging process.

What Are Vampire Facials?

The Vampire Facial takes advantage of platelet-rich plasma, also known as PRP, which is extracted from the patient’s blood, resulting in the moniker. This substance reportedly promotes healing when injected back to the body, in this case into the face, since it contains particular proteins that facilitate in the blood-clotting process and reduces inflammation.

Aside from its cosmetic benefits, the procedure has long been used by physicians to help athletes recover faster from their injuries. It has several applications, including treatment for:

• Hair Loss – Doctors have tried injecting PRP back into a patient’s scalp to encourage hair growth and reduce hair loss. This type of therapy has been found to be effective in preventing and treating male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia.
• Tendon Injuries – PRP injections have been used to treat chronic tendon problems like tennis elbow, jumper’s knee, and Achilles tendonitis.
• Acute Injuries – Pulled hamstring muscles or knee sprains have also been found to recover faster after PRP injections.
• Post-Surgical Recovery – Since PRP reduces inflammation and helps blood clot, surgeons have performed injections after surgeries for the body’s quick repair.
• Osteoarthritis – In a 2015 study, researchers found that PRP injections led to more significant results than traditional hyaluronic acid injections for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Vampire Facials became a household term, though, when Kim Kardashian posted a picture on Instagram of her bloodied face after going through the treatment for her skin, leading to people looking for dermatologists who perform the procedure. 

How Does It Work?

It’s deemed as a revolutionary process because it uses your own blood and physics to aid health cell functioning along with reviving your skin. Specifically, for the face, it boosts collagen and elastin production, which promote skin elasticity and plumpness—characteristics for a youthful glow.

Vampire Facials also improve the skin’s moisture levels, infuse antioxidants to it, and increase its absorbing capacity. This means that topical skin care products will be more effective after the treatment.

Here are the steps in a standard Vampire Facial:

Blood Collection

The procedure begins by collecting the patient’s blood with a needle and vial. You don’t need to worry about the amount of fluid that you’ll lose because Vampire Facials typically only need between 5 to 15 milliliters.

Isolation and Extraction of PRP

Next, the doctor will place your blood sample in a centrifuge, which spins fast to separate the blood’s components, including the plasma for the PRP. It is during this process that the plasma is activated and releases growth factors that are necessary for the treatment.

Some practitioners also opt to have the sample go through another round in the centrifuge. It is believed that this results in a more concentrated extract.

Skin Preparation and Treatment

The patient’s face and neck are cleansed to prepare for the facial. A numbing cream or ointment will be applied to the treatment area to lessen the pain felt during micro-needling.

In micro-needling, the dermatologist will use a roller with tiny needles to penetrate the epidermis or the outer layer of the skin. This process activates collagen production, which instantly improves the appearance of fine lines and scars.

Afterward, the PRP concentration is applied to the treatment area. It stimulates stem cells that are already in your skin and tricks your brain into thinking that your face is injured, thus setting in motion the need for faster healing and the generation of new tissue.

Pinkish or reddish skin discoloration is expected to disappear after 24 hours. Moreover, you can resume regular activities right after the treatment. People who go through this procedure typically don’t experience allergic reactions because it uses their own blood. Those with sensitive skin may see some bruising, but this ought to go away after a few days.

Conclusion

Vampire Facials are all the rage these days because it’s less invasive than other cosmetic procedures like Botox and fillers. Plus, it also results in a more natural look because it stimulates the rejuvenation of your skin without the use of artificial substances. With more research and development being done on this process, it won’t be long before it is used for all aspects of the medical field, especially in healing and recovery.