Have you ever wondered how you can get rid of your sun spots, improve your skin texture or maybe improve acne scars? Vampire facials can do it all. You may be thinking, what exactly is a vampire facial? That sounds scary! Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as you think. It is an all-natural procedure and it doesn’t involve injecting any toxins into your skin. It is simply a two-step procedure that leaves you with a red face, covered with your own blood. Hence the name vampire facial. The two steps include microneedling and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This procedure can rejuvenate your skin and turn back time (not really but it sounds good). Let’s discuss what is involved, and how can a vampire facial benefit your skin.
Microneedling
This part normally starts with someone applying a topical numbing medication to the areas being treated. You will sit for anywhere between 30-60 minutes before the numbing is wiped off and the procedure begins. Microneedling devices involve a large pen-like instrument with several tiny needles at the end. The needles quickly go in and out and puncture your skin. The provider will run the device several times over the areas being treated. This technique creates small channels and superficial micro-trauma. The thought behind microneedling is that your body will sense the trauma and activate the healing cascade. This will, in turn, promote collagen growth. The trauma is so small that there is a very small risk of irreversible injury to your skin.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
PRP is becoming a popular procedure and is used in many different specialties in medicine. It is a natural procedure as it uses your own plasma. It can be used as an injection or topical application. When it pertains to microneedling with PRP it is used topically and applied to your skin, after completing the microneedling portion of the procedure. You will need to have your blood drawn so make sure you show up to your appointment well-hydrated. Your blood is then spun in a centrifuge for approximately 10 minutes. This separates your blood into different layers including a platelet-rich plasma layer, which is then drawn up into a syringe and is ready for application. When applied to your face after microneedling, it is absorbed into the channels that the needles created. This allows for better uptake of the PRP and promotes faster healing.
You will leave the procedure with a red, raw face. The first time I had microneedling, my numbing had worn off by the end of the procedure (because I had numbed it myself way too far in advance), and afterward, my face was throbbing and it hurt to make facial expressions. It took me a few days to heal, and then a few additional days after that my face peeled like it would after a bad sunburn.
Vampire facial benefits
The main benefits of microneedling are improvement in uneven pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and softening of scars. It is used commonly to treat acne scars. For example, 6 months after someone completes a course of Accutane and is no longer having acne, they want to be rid of the scars left over. Vampire facials also can resurface your skin and give you an overall smoother complexion. You may see benefits after just one vampire facial, but I recommend completing a course of at the very least 3, about 4-6 weeks apart for maximum benefit. Once you have clear skin don’t forget to wear sunscreen every day to help prevent the sunspots from returning!
I love vampire facials and would recommend them to just about anyone. However, as always, please use this information as a resource to help you think of questions to bring to your healthcare provider in order to see if this procedure is right for you. If you have already completed a vampire facial, let us know what it did for your skin in the comments below!
*Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information on this website is for education and entertainment purposes only. Content is my opinion. It is not substituted for your own doctor’s medical care or advice. One should not make any health or medical-related decisions based in whole or in part on any content on this site. Content is not intended to replace the services of a licensed, trained health professional. Content may not apply to you as an individual. Although I will update my website with current information, this website is not a definitive guide to dermatology.
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