Vampire Facial – The diary entry you are looking forward to!
If someone had to get hold of my diary and see I have a Vampire Facial booked, they would probably slam it shut, make an excuse to leave, and abandon their cup of coffee before jolting out the door.
And I would just chuckle to myself. Because this is one of my secrets to great looking skin!
What is a Vampire Facial?
Have you ever noticed an Instagram celebrity’s face covered in blood, checked the calendar, and realized it is not Halloween? A little bit freaky, I must admit, but this is what a Vampire Facial looks like. And people are doing it to reduce scars, boost collagen production and enhance their overall skin health.
According to Beverly Hills-based dermatologist Ava Shamban, “this is a combination of mesotherapy and microneedling, with the application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP).” She jokes by saying, “(and) it’s usually done in the full light of day.”
Plasma contains high levels of platelets with seven growth factors and hundreds of proteins. So, when you apply it to the skin, it stimulates cell turnover.
In short, Joshua Zeichner, the director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital In New York City, states that it is a facial that uses “your own blood to help promote the healthy activity of your skin cells.” This facial tricks the body into a healing and repair process.
The benefits of this facial help the skin function optimally, increasing collagen and elastin and activating antioxidants and hydrating properties.
How is the facial performed?
A doctor draws a sample of your blood and runs it through a centrifuge to isolate the platelets by spinning it until the plasma separates from the blood. Once completed and after the skin has been numbed with a local anaesthetic, mesotherapy and then microneedling will be performed with the PRP serum. This will ensure that the PRP serum seeps into the lightly penetrated skin. Shamban says, “It sounds gory and mysterious, but in fact, it is central to our evolving understanding of the physiology of the skin and advanced techniques with which to improve the quality of the skin.”
What are the benefits of the Vampire Facial?
A normal blood sample contains 6% platelets, however, in the PRP process, there is a concentration of 94% platelets. This results in a powerful growth factor serum that consists of a variety of growth factors and cytokines. When applied via microneedling or mesotherapy, it stimulates cellular tissue regeneration to dramatically accelerate healing.
The PRP procedure helps restore and enhance skin regions that require volume and improves the skin’s texture and tone. And so, this facial is successful in treating the signs of ageing, assisting hair regeneration, muscle and joint regeneration and overall youthful-looking skin by reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
And best of all, these benefits are achieved naturally, without the use of fillers or botulinum!
What is the recovery time?
After the facial, you can expect a recovery time of a day or two, depending on how aggressive the microneedling was on your skin. Your skin will be red and sensitive for a day or two, so you have to wear sunblock and avoid wearing makeup.
Who is a candidate for a Vampire Facial?
Almost everyone can enjoy the benefits of this facial but if you have a history of blood diseases, including clotting or bleeding disorders, then you should not seek PRP treatment.
People who suffer from acne scars, general scarrings such as stretch marks or surgical scars, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and dry skin are perfect candidates for this treatment. It usually takes 3 sessions, spaced one month apart, to notice significant results.
What are the risks involved?
Although it sounds like the process is complicated, it is not. There are minimal risks involved in this facial, except for a bit of bruising at the site where your blood is drawn, or some slight discomfort of the microneedling. Joshua Zeichner says that a vampire facial is “extremely safe, as it is your body’s blood being recycled.”
The Vampire Facial is far safer than other surgical and non-surgical procedures.
So, the next time you see my diary entry “Vampire Facial”, don’t go running for the door, but rather enquire for your own booking and enjoy the long-lasting benefits of this natural treatment.
Book your appointment at Renewal Clinic today for younger looking skin!