Benefits Of A Vampire Facial: What Is It and Is It Worth it?

After months of seclusion with only the blue light from our computer screens filling the room, most of us are probably feeling a little ‘vampy’ right now. Start with a pale face, sunken eyes, and a cozy blanket turned cape, and you have a starter kit for a vampire costume! All joking aside, as we prepare to return to post-pandemic “normal” and the sun is hanging around for longer, we could use a little skin prep and maybe even a procedure to restore our skin’s natural healthy glow. A vampire facial might just do the trick! What Is A Vampire Facial? The vampire facial, also known as the vampire facelift or dracula facial, actually has the opposite effect that you might associate with a blood sucking vampire; It doesn’t leave your skin shriveled or dull, rather, it plumps, hydrates, and nourishes our skin using your own blood. Technically it is a bloody procedure, but it’s not as invasive as it sounds. Vampire facials get their name because of their unusual and somewhat gory methods. During a vampire facial, a sample of your own blood is drawn from your arm. Then, the vial is placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from the red blood cells. Once the blood is separated, the doctor performs a procedure similar to microdermabrasion in which tiny needles penetrate the skin. Finally, the platelet-rich plasma (and a hyaluronic acid filler if you are going for a face lift) is applied and absorbed back into your face. The suggested benefits of a vampire facial are: Reduced wrinkles Plump skin Faded or diminished acne scars Brightened skin If this sounds a little macabre or fringe to you, you might be surprised to learn that even the biggest celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Bar Refaeli and British actor Rupert Everett have all undergone the “dracula treatment”. Platelet-rich plasma has been used for over 50 years! It started as a method to help patients recover from open-heart surgery, but soon became a popular restorative procedure in sports medicine and now, as an anti-aging method. After a year of DIY facials and masks, experts say that the vampire facial will be among the top in-office procedures done in 2021. So Does It Work? The efficacy of vampire facials comes down to plasma. Plasma is rich in protein and helps to carry nutrients, protein, and hormones to the rest of the body. This is thought to help stimulate collagen production and elastin in the skin, resulting in firm, youthful skin. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is also a natural way to stimulate healing in the body. It can also be applied at the hairline to also help improve hair growth. Aside from encouraging youthful glowing skin and thick glossy hair, it can also be used to help heal sports injuries, damaged muscles, arthritis, and more. Though there is limited research specifically on vampire facials, research suggests PRP may help stimulate hair growth, reduce pain from osteoarthritis, and treat acute sports injuries. One study found that “both fine and coarse texture improved significantly more with a single treatment of PRP than with normal saline.” Is it Safe? Vampire facials are generally thought to be safe if done with sterilized equipment in a clean environment. Anyone with premature wrinkles or hyperpigmentation who wants to even their skin tone is an ideal candidate for the procedure. However, as with most cosmetic procedures, unsterilized equipment increases the risk of infection and disease so make sure to do thorough research before choosing your provider. With that said, vampire facials are a noninvasive procedure that can safely be done by a doctor or dermatologist with the correct equipment and certifications.