Don’t be misled by the novelty associated with vampire facials. While vampire facials initially gained attention because of their use by celebrities, along with their unusual name, these treatments can deliver serious cosmetic results.

Vampire facials use two state-of-the-art cosmetic procedures that work together to reverse the effects of aging, sun damage, and acne on your skin. By combining microneedling and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a vampire facial can improve the health and appearance of your skin to make you look younger.

With so many options for skin rejuvenation, consulting with an experienced medical professional is the best way to find out whether a vampire facial can help you achieve your cosmetic goals. Winnie King, MD, is a board-certified physician who is a specialist in administering vampire facials and other skin rejuvenating therapies in her private practice in Houston, Texas. If a vampire facial is right for you, you’ll achieve the best possible results under the care of Dr. King and her experienced staff.

Why vampire facials work

A vampire facial is a procedure that can improve cosmetic flaws without the downtime and risks associated with surgery. In addition to avoiding the side effects of surgery, vampire facials use your body’s own natural healing ability to restore a healthy glow to damaged skin.

Before your treatment, a sample of your blood is drawn and placed into a centrifuge, where the platelets are separated from other cells. This step separates the clear yellow plasma, which contains growth factors, from your red blood cells. This results in platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a solution that includes more natural proteins than would occur in the same volume of untreated blood. This solution is packed with concentrated healing power to speed recovery and promote skin repair. During this time your face is cleaned and a numbing cream is applied for about 30 minutes to make the procedure painless.

Platelets contain hundreds of proteins, including growth factors, that promote healing when an injury or bleeding occurs. When you experience an injury, your body’s natural processes send platelets to help clot blood and stimulate healing at the wound site.

Platelets also promote tissue growth with the release of growth factors and other proteins. These elements increase collagen production and draw more blood flow and stem cells to the affected area, which assists in healing.

A vampire facial starts with a microneedling treatment. In this step, a special handheld tool with very small needles on one end is used to make tiny pin pricks in your skin.

The PRP solution is then applied over the surface of your skin, where the tiny holes allow the solution to penetrate deeply. As this occurs, the platelets deliver growth factors that promote skin rejuvenation as the solution is absorbed into your skin.

Benefits of vampire facials

Since you’re applying your own blood into your body, you don’t have to worry about experiencing an adverse reaction to the PRP solution. The science of vampire facials is based on the proven success of PRP therapy in stimulating recovery in damaged muscles, tendons, and joints safely and effectively.

The entire process of receiving a vampire facial takes about an hour. You can leave the office immediately after you receive a vampire facial without the need to wait to recover since no general anesthesia is used.

While it can take a few weeks or longer to see the results of a vampire facial, you can choose to receive a filler at the time of your treatment to enjoy immediate results while the PRP takes effect.

Results of vampire facials

Whether or not a vampire facial works for you depends on many factors including the condition of your skin and your cosmetic goals. For many patients, PRP can deliver the following results:

• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Improve deep creases
• Brighten a dull complexion
• Plump sagging skin
• Reduce acne scars
• Repair sun-damaged skin

When a vampire facial works, the results can last up to about 18 months, with individual variations. Some patients need more than one vampire facial to achieve the results they desire.

Learn more about vampire facials and whether they may work for you. Call our Houston office today to schedule a consultation.