Every other day, we come across countless new skincare treatments and trendy facials. In 2013, Kim Kardashian shared pictures of her blood-smeared face after a Vampire Facial. A Vampire Facial is a cosmetic procedure that helps remove signs of aging. The treatment soon became very popular as many other celebrities followed suit.
Vampire Facials, or platelet-rich plasma treatments, use a combination of microdermabrasion techniques. It is followed by the application of platelet-rich plasma over the face. This platelet-rich plasma comes from the blood of the person getting the procedure. The platelets help in encouraging cell growth.
What is a Vampire Facial?
Vampire Facial or PRP Facial is a cosmetic procedure in which an aesthetician takes a sample of your blood. Then they extract the plasma from the blood and inject it with a needle back in your face.
Plasma is rich in platelets and other important nutrients that encourage collagen growth. After drawing the blood, an aesthetician runs it through a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the blood.
At this time, no one can claim with absolute certainty that how effective this cosmetic procedure is. Many aestheticians say that it helps improve your skin and decreases signs of aging.
Vampire Facial recovery time tends to be long. Generally, it takes a few weeks to months for the results to show up. People over the age of 40 usually need more than one treatment to be able to see results.
How Much Does a Vampire Facial Cost?
The cost of a Vampire Facial varies depending on the provider and you can find some difference of cost from one aesthetician to the other. The cost usually ranges from $900-$2,500 in most salons. On average, the cost of Vampire Facial in most salons is around $1000.
What are the Benefits of a Vampire Facial?
A Platelet-Rich Plasma Facial uses platelets to stimulate the growth of collagen and healthy skin cells. It not only improves the elasticity of the skin but also improves the texture and removes fine lines. Here are some interesting benefits of a Vampire Facial.
- Enhances the texture of the skin
- Reduces skin pores
- Removes blemishes and acne scars
- Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
- Gives a youthful glow and smoothness to the skin
- Makes the skin soft and fresh
- Aids skincare products in producing intended results
A Vampire Facial can be done in combination with other beauty care techniques to make the procedure more effective. While it isn’t a magical cureall, with a few sessions you should see the above-mentioned benefits.
What are the Risks of a Vampire Facial?
If you search about the risks of Vampire Facials on the internet, you might come across many stories of Vampire Facials going wrong.
Before starting microdermabrasion, the aesthetician applies an anesthetic cream over the face. This makes the procedure painless to a great extent beyond the pinch of the needle. You might also feel some pain if the needle is injected into the lip border.
Some possible side effects also include inflammation, puffy skin, and possible bruising around the eyes. Bruising around the eyes is common because there are lots of tiny blood vessels under the eye. They are difficult to avoid during the procedure.
Some other serious hazards from the procedures are the risks of blood-borne infections like Hepatitis B and C and HIV. These infections can occur if your provider does not:
- Follow the procedure properly,
- Does not use safe and new equipment,
- Does not follow infection control practices
- Gives you the facial in the absence of the supervision of a medical professional
One example of such misconduct was in a VIP spa in New Mexico. A client contracted an undisclosed infection as a result of receiving a Vampire Facial. Later, the Health Department asked the clients of that spa to get an HIV test. It is important that you choose a professional service that adheres to common safety practices.
Are Vampire Facials Safe?
Vampire Facials are generally safe as long as the provider uses sterile equipment in a clean and safe environment. So far, two people have contracted HIV after receiving a Vampire Facial at a spa in Mexico which puts a question mark on the safety of this procedure. This skincare treatment is otherwise safe.
Most people can get this treatment without too much concern. One exception is if you have a bleeding disorder or some platelets problem, you must refrain from getting a Vampire Facial. Regardless, it is best to discuss it with your dermatologist before making an appointment for the treatment.
How Long is Vampire Facial Recovery Time?
Vampire Facial recovery time is about a day or two before you can go out. The recovery time depends on the extent of microdermabrasion. Clients usually get red skin which looks like a sunburn after the procedure. We recommend you to protect the skin from too much sun exposure and avoid using makeup for two days.
Conclusion
Before making the final decision to get a Vampire Facial, it is best to talk to a qualified dermatologist. A medical professional is the best person to decide if your skin is suitable for this cosmetic procedure.
Despite the media buzz about the Vampire Facial, you must bear in mind all the risk factors and discomfort involved in this procedure. Always consult your doctor before getting such facial treatments. While it might be effective in providing you with smooth and youthful skin, you should do some research and consultation before going for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Vampire Facial work?
Vampire Facials or PRP facial is a cosmetic procedure that needs medical supervision. Your aesthetician or dermatologist will first draw a couple of vials of blood from your arm. Then they centrifuge the blood to isolate the plasma and platelets from the blood. It is then injected back into your face. These platelets have many nutrients that stimulate collagen growth.
How long does a Vampire Facial last?
It takes 1-2 days for the skin to recover after the Vampire Facial but it might take at least 3 months for your skin to actually show obvious results. The effect in the texture of the skin would last for a year or even more in some cases.
People with certain types of skin might be asked you to get more treatments before the results start showing. So, you might have to get more than one Vampire Facial session.
What is the cost of a Vampire Facial?
The cost of a Vampire Facial varies from practitioner to practitioner but ranges from $900-$2,500.