What Is a Vampire Facial? Here’s What You Need to Know

Oct 31, 2018 | Cosmetic Treatments

If you’ve seen photos of celebs with their faces covered in blood, you’ve likely heard of the vampire facial. Taking the beauty world by storm, this deceptively gruesome-looking skin treatment is popular with A-listers and beauty bloggers alike.

Though it looks and sounds very spooky, vampire facials are not so scary. The treatment uses your own blood to help promote healthy skin activity.

What is a Vampire Facial?

This facial combines the benefits of microdermabrasion and an application of PRGF. PRGF, which stands for protein-rich growth factor, is derived from your own blood. This serum contains growth factors that can help stimulate cell turnover.

Our skin is made up of red blood cells and a serum that contains platelets and white blood cells. PRGF has been used for two decades as a treatment for healing burns and other wounds. Its application as a facial rejuvenator is newer, invented in 2010 by Dr. Charles Runels.

How Does It Work?

The platelet-rich serum helps our skin reach a more optimal condition. Used topically, PRGF infuses the dermabraded skin with antioxidant properties and helps increase collagen and elastin. Micro-needling or subdermal injection heightens these energy-boosting effects.

vampire facial

Where Does the Blood Come From?

At the start of treatment, blood is drawn from elsewhere in the body. The blood goes through a centrifuge to separate and isolate the platelets and prepare it for application.

Before the platelet-rich plasma is applied to the face, you’ll receive a microdermabrasion or micro-needling treatment. The PRGF is then applied to the face and allowed to penetrate the dermal layer.

Recovery Time

The recovery for vampire facials is only a day or two, depending on factors such as the microdermabrasion. Immediately after the treatment, your skin may appear red and similar to a sunburn.

After a few days of rest, your skin should look youthful and refreshed. It is best to follow the prescribed aftercare regimen and avoid makeup afterward until healed.

Who Shouldn’t Get One?

While this facial technique can be very beneficial for those with sun damage or uneven skin tone, it’s not for everyone.

Those with blood diseases are not ideal candidates for vampire facials. Clotting or bleeding disorders, especially being treated with blood thinners, should not be combined with PRGF facial treatments.

The risks for vampire facials are quite low. You may find that there is minimal bruising directly on the puncture site, and minor discomfort in the face for a short time after micro-needling.

However, the procedure itself is extremely safe. Only your own blood is used in the procedure, so reaction risk is close to zero for most people.

How Often Should I Get a Vampire Facial?

Professionals recommend that you get this treatment no more than once a month. Initially, it may take several visits to see the best results. Three or four treatments, spread out in four-week increments, is ideal.

After these initial sessions, once a year for touch-ups is usually all that is needed.

Look Your Best

If you’re among the many people willing to try cutting-edge beauty treatments, the vampire facial may be just what you are looking for. Though it sounds fearsome, the science behind the healing properties of blood platelets is nothing to be afraid of!

What’s the perfect thing to compliment a glowing complexion? A beautiful smile! Contact us at Shields Dental & Orthodontic Clinic today and we can answer all of your queries.

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