You may be unfamiliar with the cosmetic procedure called a vampire facial but are curious to know more about this. Know that this is a kind of facelift that uses your blood, and there’s a need to inject a hyaluronic acid filler and plasma to lessen the wrinkles and increase the skin’s elasticity.
For those who are worried that this is going to be painful, don’t worry! This is usually a painless process because topical anesthesia is involved. The downtime is minimal if there are no complications to deal with in the next few days, then you’re fine. It’s important to remember that this procedure can only be done through a sterile needle by a medical professional to be on the safe side.
This can be a suitable treatment as it’s just going to last 2 hours at most, and the downtime is minimal. If you’re comfortable with slight redness, you can go to work the next day after the procedure. This can happen inside a dermatological clinic or a spa, but you need to contact only a trained professional for this, regardless of which clinic you’ve decided to go into.
More About the Vampire Facelift
Vampire or platelet-rich plasma facelift is a procedure that uses a patients’ own blood to fight acne, wrinkles, fine lines, and any other signs of aging. Patients usually want to reduce wrinkles with a vampire facial because it’s effective, fast, and affordable compared to other cosmetic treatments. This had garnered interest in many communities when Kim Kardashian posted on Instagram a selfie covered in the blood back in 2013.
The procedure involves drawing blood from your arm. The medical professionals will then try to separate the platelets using a technique called a centrifuge. A machine is used in this process, and it quickly spins, which results in the separation of fluids that involve different densities. The fluid with the platelet-rich plasma will be injected back to the skin, but this time, it will be mixed with hyaluronic acid.
Results of this procedure include the following
- Plumper skin
- Reduction of wrinkles
- Brightening of the face
- Diminish some of the acne scars
This is generally safe for people of all ages. However, this may not be for patients who are taking medications for blood thinners, have Hepatitis C, HIV, or skin cancer.
How Much Does this Cost?
Know that the tentative costs vary, but you can expect this to range from $1,500 to $2,500 in several reputable clinics. You can contact a certified medical professional, get consultations, have appointments, and do initial check-ups to determine specific costs involved in the treatment. The fillers can contribute to the expenses where some treatments usually go up to $3,000 when there’s more saggy skin involved.
Some into the beauty industry may want to get at least three injections to get better results so that the effects will be longer-lasting. Know that since the vampire facelift is considered a cosmetic treatment, it may not be covered with your insurance.
How It Works
Today, there’s limited research involved in vampire facelifts. However, some studies confirm that the skin’s texture has improved visible after the PRO was done. This is in comparison to those people who’ve had saline injections in the past.
The efficacy of the vampire facelift can be tied to the plasma that was used. You can read more about blood plasma on this page here. The yellowish color of the plasma is rich in proteins, hormones, and nutrients that are carried to the rest of the body for better health.
Know that plasma has growth factors that enhance collagen production, increase cell turnover, and encourage the body to produce more elastin. The result is a younger, firmer, and brighter look afterwards.
Procedures Involved
Most of the facelifts follow the same steps and routines while you’re in a clinic.
1. The first step involves the doctor cleaning and hydrating your skin. This consists of the application of numbing creams afterwards to make the anesthesia work faster.
2. Second, they will draw blood that is as little as two teaspoons from one of our arms. Some dermatologists may decide to inject the hyaluronic acid filler first. They will target the areas that need the most fillers, such as the ones with more wrinkles or deep creases.
3. The blood drawn from the arm will then go to a centrifuge machine. This will separate the platelets from the rest of the components in the blood.
4. With a microneedle, the platelet-rich plasma or PRP will then be injected back to specific areas on the face where the doctors deemed to need the blood the most.
Getting the Targeted Areas Right
Know that this procedure will specifically target your face. However, it may also be helpful to know that the PRP is beneficial in other parts of the body. They can stimulate the growth of hair and treat tendon injuries from sports or medical conditions like osteoarthritis. There are even treatments that consist of breast lifts for men and women who want this.
Side Effects to Know About
They say that beauty is pain, and you should be willing to take things into your hands to have that youthful and glowing look. However, it’s not always rainbows and roses, especially when it comes to cosmetic procedures. It’s important to reiterate that this is not for people who have tested positive for HIV. Other minimal side effects that are considered by some as negligible are the following:
- Slight itching
- Swelling in some areas
- Possible bruises
- Slightly burning sensations or tingling
- Adverse reactions to hyaluronic fillers, but this is usually rare
Expectations After the Procedure
Some people may notice the apparent redness on their faces after the facelift. Know that the procedure is considered non-invasive, and you will not undergo a lot of downtimes.
It’s important to avoid touching your whole face for hours. If the doctor suggests that you can use an ice pack or take painkillers to alleviate the pain, then do so. The cold ice can reduce swelling as well.
Some who have undergone this provided anecdotal evidence that they noticed a glow and plumpness that were absent before. There’s more even skin tone as a result, and this can be discovered in a maximum of 3 weeks. The results may not be as permanent as some would like, but they can last up to 18 months with regular care, maintenance, and additional treatments suggested by the dermatologist.
Preparations to Do Before Going
If you’ve set your heart into going and you want to reduce your acne scars or pimples, then congratulations. You deserve a shoutout. What you need is to prepare yourself before going into your doctor’s clinic. Generally, some of the things that you need to do before the treatment are the following:
- Hydrate yourself as much as possible by drinking lots of water. Do this until the day of your appointment.
- Arrive with a make-up-free and clean face. Ensure that your skin is free from any products, including topical creams, lotions, and toners.
- Have your significant other or book a ride on your way home. Avoid driving on your own.
- Avoid too much exposure to the sun as well as tanning products months before you’ve set your appointment.
Facial vs. Facelift
You mustn’t confuse the vampire facelift with the facial. This is unavoidable for some since, after all, they involve similar treatments. Know that the facelift consists of platelet-rich plasma, which is the cause of the instant smoothing and plumping effects that many patients are experiencing. This said, the results could be seen immediately, just weeks after the session.
On the other hand, there are the facials where the doctors may combine micro-needling and other procedures to reduce the appearance of acne scars. With this said, the effects that PRP delivers into the skin are more effective than the facial.
Facelifts are excellent options for anyone who wants to change the texture of their faces. From sagging to the improved firm and smooth complexion that significantly reduces the appearance of acne scars, this is actually what many people are looking for.
Finding the Right Provider
Know that this is a non-surgical treatment that licensed doctors in the dermatological field only do. Trained professionals with sterile needles are usually used to avoid infection and contamination. Because of the pandemic, many clinics have health protocols in place if you decide to go and get this procedure. What you need is a certified doctor who will adequately explain what will happen and what to expect.
Conclusion
Vampire facelifts are non-invasive treatments that involve the injection of hyaluronic acid and platelets into the skin. This will result in reduced creases, acne scars, wrinkles, and fine lines. You can improve the overall glow of the skin for up to 18 months after the procedure. Only a trusted plastic surgeon or dermatologist must be going to perform the treatment to you so everything will be safer.
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